Honorary Fellow

Contact Details

Brief Description of Research

A combination of electrophysiological, neuroanatomical and behavioural approaches has been used to try to interpret the role of the basal ganglia in the control of movement.  The research is focused the actions of dopamine a substance that when lacking in brain causes parkinsonism, and excess of which has been implicated in psychiatric problems.

Research Interests

Professor Arbuthnott’s research is aimed at a broad understanding of motor control mechanisms of the brain.  The main focus is on the basal ganglia, a part of the brain associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease, Schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  A particular focus of this research involves the cellular action of dopamine.  In collaboration with other research groups in the Department of Physiology (Dr Hyland) Professor Arbuthnott is exploring the site of action of the deep brain simulation that is used as a treatment for parkinsonism. The other main research focus is shared with Professor Wickens’ research group investigating the interactions between pairs of cells in the striatum and their responses to stimulation of the cortical input to the striatum.
The research is currently funded by the Marsden Fund, the Neurological Foundation and a Programme Grant from the Health Research Council.

Publications