In this groundbreaking episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal reconnects with Dr. Adithya Gopinath, University of Florida, to explore a game-changing discovery in Parkinson’s research: a direct connection between dopamine neurons in the brain and the peripheral immune system, specifically the spleen.
Dr. Gopinath shares how his lab’s findings could reshape the future of Parkinson’s diagnosis and treatment—potentially identifying the disease earlier and opening new therapeutic avenues using existing immune-modulating drugs. The episode also touches on surprising implications for conditions like addiction, ADHD, and even cancer.
Key Topics Covered:
- The role of dopamine transporters in both the brain and peripheral immune cells
- A newly mapped brain-to-spleen pathway and its implications for Parkinson’s
- Why gastric bypass surgery offers unexpected clues about neuroimmune function
- How Parkinson’s might eventually be detected through blood biomarkers
- The challenge of longitudinal studies and the need for philanthropic support
- Crossovers with autoimmune disease, glioblastoma, and methamphetamine use
- The future vision for translational research at Dr. Gopinath’s lab
Standout Quote:
"If we're able to identify Parkinson’s early, we may have the opportunity to either slow or stop its progression. And we might already have the tools—we just need to apply them in the right way." – Dr. Adithya Gopinath
Connect with Us:
🔗 Learn more and subscribe: https://tofflertrust.org
📧 Interested in supporting or collaborating? Dr. Gopinath’s contact info: adithya.gopinath@neurology.ufl.edu or adithya@ufl.edu
To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.
Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
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