Northwestern University · PharmacologyDopamine Dynamics Lab
Loukia Parisiadou · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Loukia Parisiadou's lab focuses on understanding the early mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease, specifically how genetic mutations affect the health of dopamine neurons. By using advanced genetic models, the lab investigates disruptions caused by the LRRK2 gene, which has been linked to this disorder. The ultimate goal is to develop early therapeutic interventions that can slow disease progression and improve outcomes for patients.
Parkinson's diseasedopamine neuronsLRRK2neuroprotectioncell signalinggenetic modelsagingneurotrophic factorstherapeutic interventionspreclinical models
Research Aims
4AIM 01Examine how LRRK2 mutations disrupt dopamine release sites in active dopamine neuron populations.
AIM 02Investigate age-dependent loss of cilia in specific interneurons linked to dopamine neuron health.
AIM 03Assess the impact of LRRK2-linked disruptions on neurotrophic signaling pathways.
AIM 04Determine if LRRK2 inhibitors can reverse the cellular dysfunctions observed in models of Parkinson's disease.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelsgenetic manipulationbiochemical assaysimmunohistochemistrycell culturedrug testingmolecular biology techniquesprotein analysesflow cytometryadvanced microscopy
Output against the department
Publications76bottom 17% of dept.385th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.6kbottom 19% of dept.375th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.