Rewiring of motor cortex neural circuits in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by disruptions in both fine movement control and motor learning. Pathologically, these disruptions are attributed to the loss of dopamine neurons in the midbrain (a region of the brainstem). While it is known that changes in synaptic plasticity are important for learning new motor skills and maintaining memory throughout life, little research has focused on the deficits in motor learning that are seen in PD.