Classification of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Using Single-Cell Gene Expression Profiling Approaches

Jean Francois Poulin, Zachary Gaertner, Oscar Andrés Moreno-Ramos, Rajeshwar Awatramani*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

144 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dysfunctional dopamine (DA) signaling has been associated with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, prompting investigations into how midbrain DA neuron heterogeneity may underpin this variety of behavioral symptoms. Emerging literature indeed points to functional heterogeneity even within anatomically defined DA clusters. Recognizing the need for a systematic classification scheme, several groups have used single-cell profiling to catalog DA neurons based on their gene expression profiles. We aim here not only to synthesize points of congruence but also to highlight key differences between the molecular classification schemes derived from these studies. In doing so, we hope to provide a common framework that will facilitate investigations into the functions of DA neuron subtypes in the healthy and diseased brain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)155-169
Number of pages15
JournalTrends in Neurosciences
Volume43
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Funding

R.A. is supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants R01NS096240 , R01MH110556 , and P50 DA044121 . J-F.P. is supported by the Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) program/ Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

Keywords

  • cell type
  • dopaminergic system
  • intersectional
  • molecular diversity
  • neuroanatomy
  • single-cell RNA-seq

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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