Effect of the sonic hedgehog receptor smoothened on the survival and function of dopaminergic neurons

Our study showed the smo receptor function is not required for the maturation and survival of DA neurons during late development, aging or under stress challenge. However, smo function has an influence on behavior in young adult mice and in responses of mice to a drug that modulates DA neurochemistry through regulation of gene expression in DA neurons. Since young adult DAT-smo ko mice show hyperactivity and altered response to a psychostimulant drug (METH), this may indicate the involvement of the shh pathway in the development of functional changes that manifest as alterations in DA pathway dynamics.