Research groups
Katherine Brimblecombe
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
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.
Recent publications
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GABA uptake transporters support dopamine release in dorsal striatum with maladaptive downregulation in a parkinsonism model.
Journal article
Roberts BM. et al, (2020), Nat Commun, 11
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Selective vulnerability in α-synucleinopathies.
Journal article
Alegre-Abarrategui J. et al, (2019), Acta Neuropathol, 138, 681 - 704
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Plasticity in striatal dopamine release is governed by release-independent depression and the dopamine transporter.
Journal article
Condon MD. et al, (2019), Nat Commun, 10
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Calbindin-D28K limits dopamine release in ventral but not dorsal striatum by regulating Ca2+ availability and dopamine transporter function
Journal article
Brimblecombe KR. et al, (2019), ACS Chemical Neuroscience
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Targeted Activation of Cholinergic Interneurons Accounts for the Modulation of Dopamine by Striatal Nicotinic Receptors.
Journal article
Brimblecombe KR. et al, (2018), eNeuro, 5