John Elsworth, PhD

Dysfunction of brain dopamine neurons is critically involved in the pathology of several neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Dr Elsworth’s research encompasses the “development, dysfunction, and demise” of dopamine neurons. The goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying the particular susceptibility of midbrain dopamine neurons to damage, and devising strategies for protecting, repairing or replacing these cells. As the population of midbrain dopamine neurons exhibits a profound loss during aging, they provide a model system for studying aging mechanisms and repair in other CNS neuronal populations.