Aberrant Tonic Inhibition of Dopaminergic Neuronal Activity Causes Motor Symptoms in Animal Models of Parkinson`s Disease (Current Biology)

Heo et al. report that astrocytic GABA-mediated aberrant tonic inhibition of DA neurons leads to a reduction in TH expression and dopamine production, causing dormant DA neurons and motor deficits. Blocking astrocytic GABA synthesis by MAO-B inhibition or optogenetic activation of dormant DA neurons reverses PD pathology.