Postdoc Fellowships 2026 - Project 3
Project title: Investigating the SNc–Vagus Nerve Axis in Type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major metabolic disorder associated with increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent evidence suggests that alterations in dopaminergic circuits may drive peripheral insulin resistance, contribute to dysregulated glucose metabolism, and promote α-synuclein (aSyn) aggregation, a hallmark of PD. The project aims to investigate the dynamic interactions between Substantia Nigra (SNc) dopaminergic neurons, vagus nerve (VN) activity, and aSyn pathology during the onset and progression of T2D. The project will combine longitudinal in vivo electrophysiology, dual-wavelength fiber photometry, high-fat diet models, and wireless transauricular VN stimulation (taVNS) to elucidate mechanistic links between metabolic dysfunction and PD onset.