The dopaminergic system in neurodevelopment: preclinical models of neurodevelopmental disorders and susceptibility to neurodegeneration - PubMed
14 hours ago
- #neurodegeneration
- #dopaminergic system
- #neurodevelopmental disorders
- The dopaminergic system is crucial in neurodevelopment, affecting cognition, reward, and aversion.
- Its development spans from prenatal stages through adolescence and can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
- Preclinical models show that disruptions during development can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Factors like maternal immune activation, prenatal cannabis exposure, and genetic models highlight dopamine's role in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Early-life dopaminergic disruptions may predispose individuals to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Midbrain dopamine neurons are particularly vulnerable to developmental and aging-related stressors.
- Current pharmacological treatments lack mechanistic innovation; targeting upstream developmental mechanisms is needed.