Scientists from St. Petersburg State University Present a New Method for Studying Brain Function in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Scientists have developed a method that allows real-time observation of chemical processes in the brain. The new technology may become a breakthrough in understanding and treating Parkinson’s disease, depression, and various addictions. The method was presented during the seminar at the Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences.
On December 20, a scientific seminar was held at the Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University). Vsevolod Nemets, Junior Researcher at the Institute of Translational Biomedicine of St. Petersburg State University, delivered a presentation on the application of an innovative method for studying brain function in various diseases.
The researcher introduced in vivo voltammetry — a method that enables real-time monitoring of dopamine activity. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, schizophrenia, and various addictions.
Unlike traditional brain research methods, in vivo voltammetry allows high-precision recording of neurochemical changes in specific brain regions of laboratory animals. This opens up new opportunities for studying the mechanisms of these diseases.
“Dopamine system is extremely sensitive to various influences, which gives us broad opportunities to study even minor neurochemical changes in brain function that are not yet visible at the behavioral level. Thus, using voltammetry and other methods, we can detect signs of these brain changes (post-stress conditions, depression, addiction, etc.) at the earliest stages and propose various treatment options,” explained Vsevolod Nemets.
During the seminar, the results of studies conducted by Vsevolod Nemets and his colleagues were presented. The scientists demonstrated that even after a single episode of social stress, animals exhibited significant activation of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system 24 hours later. This activation differed depending on sex and the type of stress response. Particular interest was sparked by research using genetically modified animals and pharmacological interventions, which help to better understand the mechanisms of brain function in pathological conditions.
Seminar participants discussed the prospects of applying voltammetry in combination with other technologies, as well as the possibility of using the obtained data to develop new approaches to the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases in humans.
