Dalton James Surmeier, Ph.D.

Dr. D. James Surmeier's research focuses on the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as understanding the unwanted side-effects of current therapies, including the administration of levodopa. In this project, he will study striatal cholinergic interneurons, which may be pivotal determinants of the striatal pathophysiology underlying both PD motor symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesia – making them prime targets for the development of new therapies. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying PD may lead to new symptomatic therapies that are both more effective and reduce side effects.