College of Medicine
Khoshbouei Lab
Led by Habibeh Khoshbouei · Neuroscience
What we study
The Khoshbouei Lab studies dopamine neurons and Parkinson's disease. Recent student projects use mice to study how prenatal methamphetamine exposure and alpha-synuclein affect dopamine cells, using imaging, behavioral tests and measurements of cell firing.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Mice
- Coding helps
- Projects
- 3
- Papers
- 5
Current projects
Project Sex-specific Differences in Methamphetamine-Induced Dopamine Dynamics and Reward Behavior
This lab investigates how male and female mice differ in dopamine release when exposed to methamphetamine. Students will implant imaging devices, run a conditioned place preference test over eight days, and record dopamine signals and behavior.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 406
Sex‑Specific Impact of In Utero Methamphetamine Exposure on the Development of the Dopaminergic System
The lab examines how a mother’s meth use affects brain dopamine pathways in baby mice, finding that male offspring show changes in dopamine‑related cells and immune cells. The student helped treat pregnant mice, collected brains, and performed staining and imaging analyses.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 160
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αSynuclein Disrupts SNc Dopamine Neuron Activity and Network Connectivity Prior to Cell Death, Sparing the VTA
The study examines how a protein linked to Parkinson’s disease changes the activity of brain cells that control movement before they die. Students measure cell firing and network connections in mice with increased protein levels.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 125
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- C1q-dependent clearance of alpha-synuclein allows macrophages to transiently limit enteric synucleinopathy in male mice
2026 · Nature Communications
Shows how macrophages clear misfolded protein in gut nerves of mice.
- Sex-Specific Consequences of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure on the Dopaminergic System (Abstract ID: 233780)
2026 · Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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- TNF-α signaling mediates the dopaminergic effects of methamphetamine by stimulating dopamine transporters and L-type Ca 2+ channels
2025 · Science Signaling
Finds methamphetamine and TNF-α work together to boost dopamine release in mice.
- The missing link: TNF-α as a unifying mechanism in methamphetamine-induced neuronal dysfunction and blood-brain barrier compromise
2025 · Journal of Neuroimmunology
- Parkinson’s paradox: alpha-synuclein’s selective strike on SNc dopamine neurons over VTA
2025 · npj Parkinson s Disease
Tests why brain cells in one area die faster than others in Parkinson’s disease.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Habibeh Khoshbouei hasn't set up this page yet. Their UF Scholars profile lists their publications.