Graduation Date
Summer 2021
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology, option Academic Research
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Ethan Gahtan
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Amanda Hahn
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Christopher Aberson
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Psychology
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively decreases dopaminergic function. Lower amounts of dopamine may cause an innate motivational shift that decreases movement vigor when performing difficult tasks. In PD patients, bradykinesia, the slowing of movement, is characteristic of this decrease in vigor. The movement vigor hypothesis proposes that dopamine neurons modulate performance aspects of movement, like speed and persistence. This paper proposes a series experiments utilizing neuron recording techniques in zebrafish that would test the movement vigor hypothesis by determining whether in fact there is a distinct group of dopamine neurons that modulate movement vigor. Core elements of the human dopamine motor system are shared by all vertebrates, so zebrafish are a valid model system for studying dopamine’s role in controlling movement vigor. The zebrafish behavior used to study vigor in the proposed experiments is a dive response to a sudden decrease in ambient illumination (dark flash evoked dive). This behavior is remarkably persistent, and its duration, speed and distance will be used to quantify the vigor components of movement. In humans, dopamine deficits affect movement vigor particularly when there is an expectation that the required movement will be difficult. Therefore, zebrafish will be trained to perform easy (short) or difficult (longer) dives, and dopamine neuron activation will be compared across those conditions to identify neurons whose activity correlates with vigor level. If vigor related neurons are identified, subsequent experiments will test whether they are necessary for normal modulation of movement vigor.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Strabinick, Jay A., "Identifying neuron clusters controlling movement vigor" (2021). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 499.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/499