Neural basis of direct and indirect pathways in the basal ganglia involved in the control of motor expression and goal-directed behavior.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16300
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2020-2021); Tamagawa University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Satoshi Nonomura 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 特定助教 (10737125)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 目標指向行動 / 線条体 / 直接路 / 間接路 / 背外側 / 背内側 / 報酬 / 運動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The direct and indirect pathways of the striatum are believed to be important for goal-directed action selection. However, the specific functions of these pathways remain unclear. The striatum can also be divided into three subdivisions: dorsomedial, dorsolateral, and ventral. In this study, we used optogenetic techniques to identify the neural activity of direct and indirect pathways in each striatal sub-division and to examine pathway-specific neural activity to determine the activity characteristics of these cells in motor expression and goal-directed behavior. The results showed that direct and indirect pathways, which were previously thought to work antagonistically, are synchronously active during the onset of movement.

Free Research Field

システム神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

目標指向的な行動選択に関わる脳機能が破綻すると、異常な固執行動や、不秩序な行動選択といった不適応行動（maladaptive behavior）が生じ、経済的、社会的及び精神的な支障をきたす。近年、神経難病で最も多いとされるパーキンソン病（PD）において、その治療薬によって行動選択が障害されることがわかってきている。
本研究成果は、こうしたPDなどの大脳基底核疾患の認知機能障害の理解や、その治療への応用が期待される。