MODULATION OF DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS

摘要

The present invention provides for the treatment of disease and more particularly Parkinson's disease, an assay method for identifying and/or improving the effect of an agent causing a dopaminergic neuron to enter bursting mode and/or preventing it from leaving bursting mode, and an agent and a process of preparing a quantity of those one or more identified agents, a diagnostic method for determining whether or not an individual has a neurodegenerative disorder. The method of treatment comprises administering to a subject in need of same an agent, wherein said agent is capable of causing a dopaminergic neuron to enter bursting mode and/or of preventing it from leaving bursting mode. In a preferred aspect, the said agent modulates: a T-type channel and/or an SK (preferably SK3) channel and/or the coupling of a T-type channel with an SK (preferably SK3) channel.