Challenging Current Understanding, Study Reveals Rapid Release of Dopamine Not Needed for Initiating Movement

At a glance: Study in mice reveals rapid release of dopamine is not needed for initiating movement but is important for activities related to reward-seeking and motivation. The findings help explain why the widely used Parkinson's drug levodopa improves movement-related symptoms but often fails to ameliorate some cognitive ones. The work may inform the development of new therapies that restore both slow and fast dopamine action to treat multiple symptoms.