I have founded and lead the research group “Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology” at Lund University. We investigate molecular, cellular, and circuit dysfunctions in the cortico-basal ganglia network in Parkinson´s disease (PD) and related conditions. Our research has a translational mission: we study fundamental disease mechanisms in experimental models and use the newly gained knowledge in order to evaluate and/or propose improved treatment options for PD patients. While pursuing this mission, we have defined rodent equivalents of human hypokinetic and dyskinetic disorders that have received broad international recognition. In particular, our rodent models of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) have become the first-line tool for pathophysiological and pharmacological research on the subject worldwide.

Using our rodent models, we have uncovered neurobiological mechanisms of dyskinesia at multiple levels, such as, abnormal dopaminergic signaling in striatal and cortical neurons, long-lasting changes in striatal gene and protein expression, and maladaptive neurovascular plasticity. We have moreover investigated the pathophysiological role of non-dopaminergic transmitter systems in PD, identifying treatment principles that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials, such as negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors type 5 (mGluR5), selective agonists of serotonin receptor 5-HT1A, or compounds stimulating the biological activity of the Sigma-1 chaperone protein. In ongoing collaborative studies with the Faculty of Engineering LTH, we are developing digital technologies and machine learning algorithms enabling translational studies of movement abnormalities in basal ganglia disease.

Scientific appointments and honors:

2021    Elected as President of the International Basal Ganglia Society (IBAGS).

2021    Appointed as Coordinator of the Strategic Research Area MultiPark.

2017    Elected as member of AcademiaNet – Database of Outstanding Female Academics (Swiss National Science Foundation).

2014    Elected as member of the Royal Academy for Natural  Sciences, Medicine and Technology in Lund (‘Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund’).

2006    Medal of Honors for Parkinson´s Research, Swedish Parkinson´s Disease Foundation.

2003    Erik. K. Fernström Award for Young and Particularly Promising Investigator; Fernström Foundation.

Other distinctions and commissions of trust  (partial listing):

2023--: CESNE (Centre for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Padova), Scientific Advisory Board.  

2018--: Movement Disorders (Official Journal of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society), Associate Editor.

2017--: World Parkinson Congress, Scientific Program Committee

2017-2019--: European Research Council, Review panel ERC-COG L5

2016--:  International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, Scientific Program Committee.

2016--:  Swedish National Microscopy Infrastructure, Steering Committee.

2015--:  Swedish Brain Foundation, Scientific Committee.

2014--:  FENS Committee for Higher Education and Training (CHET).

2014--:  XXI World Congress on PD and Related Disorders, Programme Committee.

2012--:  International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), Paneuropean Committee.

2010--:  M. J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson´s Research, Scientific Advisory Board.

2009--:  Swedish National Network for Parkinson Research (SWEPAR-Net), Funding member and Steering board