Katherine Brimblecombe

I have been a member or Prof. Cragg's group since starting my DPhil in 2010, and when I graduated in 2013 I extended my stay as a post-doctoral researcher!  I predominantly use fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FCV) to detect monoamines, especially dopamine with sub-second time resolution in rodent ex-vivo brain slices. To date, my work has focused on investigating the mechanisms controlling dopamine release between striatal sub-territories. 

I am particularly interested in how local control of dopamine release differs between striatal sub-territories and how these differences correspond to healthy and disease states of the brain.  

I am currently investigating the dynamic relationship between Ca²⁺ and dopamine release in the dorsal and ventral striatum, which we hope will provide insights into the eitiology and potential treatment options for Parkinson's disease. I have also investigated how dopamine transmission varies between the illusive striosome and matrix sub-territories.