About this Research Topic
The basal ganglia (BG), an evolutionarily conserved network of interconnected nuclei, plays a critical role in mediating both motor and cognitive control by selectively amplifying behaviorally relevant inputs. Models frequently posit that the striatum has an important role in mediating competition from afferent excitatory (cortical) drivers via its two efferent pathways. Indeed, the Go/No Go pathways originating respectively from the direct and indirect pathways spiny pro-jection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs) has been instrumental in the understanding of BG function and their role in neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. However, important progress over the past 10-15 years has led to the significant re-evaluation of striatal circuit organization and highlighted the growing need for cell-type specific functional dissection. First, the role of dSPNs and iSPNs seems to be more complex (and complementary) than previously envisaged. Second, the striatum receives a large diversity of inputs whose functional connectivity needs further characterization. Third, numerous striatal GABAergic interneurons (GINs) have been recently discovered which have unique properties and functional roles with-in striatal microcircuits. Fourth, striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) can impact striatal circuits via control of striatal SPNs, local striatal interneurons and neurotransmitter release from diverse striatal afferents. This topic aims at expanding our knowledge of how striatal cellular diversity interacts with afferent projections and local neuromodulators in shaping striatal output and function.
In this Research Topic, we present recent advances in our understanding of how different striatal cell types and afferents contribute to the regulation of striatal activity. By exploring the intricate interactions between spiny projection neurons, local circuit interneurons, glial cells and neuromodulators, we aim to unveil the complexities underlying the control of striatal activity. These data should provide a nuanced understanding of the roles played by different striatal cell types, paving the way for innovative approaches to modulate striatal activity and thus improve our understanding of motor and cognitive function.
• Uncovering novel cellular diversity in the striatum from developmental, molecular, circuit, functional and computational perspectives.
• Revealing the influence of different striatal cell types in modulating striatal output.
• Elucidating the role of different cell types in controlling striatal dependent motor and cognitive behaviors.
In this Research Topic, we present recent advances in our understanding of how different striatal cell types and afferents contribute to the regulation of striatal activity. By exploring the intricate interactions between spiny projection neurons, local circuit interneurons, glial cells and neuromodulators, we aim to unveil the complexities underlying the control of striatal activity. These data should provide a nuanced understanding of the roles played by different striatal cell types, paving the way for innovative approaches to modulate striatal activity and thus improve our understanding of motor and cognitive function.
• Uncovering novel cellular diversity in the striatum from developmental, molecular, circuit, functional and computational perspectives.
• Revealing the influence of different striatal cell types in modulating striatal output.
• Elucidating the role of different cell types in controlling striatal dependent motor and cognitive behaviors.
Keywords: striatum, interneurons, basal ganglia, spiny projection neurons, GABAergic interneurons, GABA, cholinergic interneurons, neuromodulators, cellular diversity
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