In the INDIRECT pathway, glutamate release from motor cortex…

In the INDIRECT pathway, glutamate release from motor cortex neurons in the striatum, ultimately neurons whose cell bodies are in the thalamus to movement. In the indirect pathway, the release of dopamine from the substantia nigra (SNc) neurons in striatum that express the D2 receptor. This dopamine release makes neurons in the thalamus to fire an action potential. Thus, in the indirect pathway the release of dopamine from the substantia nigra  movement.

In class we discussed the paper, “Optogenetics enables funct…

In class we discussed the paper, “Optogenetics enables functional analysis of human embryonic stem cell-derived grafts in a Parkinson’s disease model”. The figures below come from that paper. (FYI: Halorhodopsin-EYFP is the same thing as eNpHR3.0-EYFP)   Match each panel (A, B, and C) with the mouse genotype that could be responsible for the data. 

Loss-of-function mutations in the SCN2A gene will most likel…

Loss-of-function mutations in the SCN2A gene will most likely cause autism/intellectual disability. 1) 1) This type of mutation will most likely neuronal excitability. 2) If an individual with this type of mutation develops seizures, does it make sense to treat them with a sodium channel blocker?

As shown in the image below, the SCN2a protein is a transmem…

As shown in the image below, the SCN2a protein is a transmembrane protein that has four homologous domains. Each homologous domain contains six membrane-spanning segments (S1-S6).     Which membrane-spanning segment is made up of amino acids that determine the membrane voltage at which the channel opens?