I am interested in whether or not the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) is a suitable target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a therapeutic intervention in Parkinson's Disease (PD).

PD can primarily be attributed to selective deterioration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain, principally in the substantia nigra pars compacta, with resulting effects on basal ganglia functioning. L-Dopa is a very effective drug for the treatment of PD because it can restore dopamine function. However the efficiency of L-Dopa decreases over time and serious side effects can develop. The PPTg (situated in the brainstem) has higher order functions than has previously been thought and should be approached as an important contributor to corticostriatal function. Due to its strong connections with the basal ganglia its involvement in PD has been highlighted making it a promising target for interventions in PD using deep brain stimulation delivered through surgically implanted electrodes. Which part of the nucleus is the optimal target site? What is the optimal stimulation frequency? Which symptoms can be alleviated? Is it possible to ease incapacitating symptoms such as postural disturbances and gait deficits by stimulating the PPTg? Could PPTg stimulation have sensory or cognitive effects as well?

My research, supervised by Dr Jamie Ainge and Prof. Phil Winn, addresses those questions by implementing an effective rodent model that mimics not only physiological but also behavioural symptoms of PD.