Dopaminergic neuronal death in Parkinson’s disease is reflected by the loss of neuromelanin in substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. A novel automatic brainstem atlas of MRI neuromelanin-sensitive and iron images was used to differentiate Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene carriers (LRRK2-PD) and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

The connectivity between individual neurons is fundamental to neuronal networks and brain function. Here, we replace the flavor of chemical neurotransmission with the color of photons emitted from presynaptic luciferases and light-gated ion channels in the postsynapse.