The motor control of a hyperdirect pathway in the basal ganglia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06430
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Koketsu Daisuke 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域, 特任研究員 (20437289)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 大脳基底核 / 運動制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, the motor function of hyperdirect pathway in the basal ganglia was revealed. Neuronal activities in the basal ganglia were recorded. Recording electrodes were inserted into an internal segment of Globus pallidus (GPi), then neuronal responses of GPi neurons evoked by a single electrostimulation of the motor cortex were recorded. GPi neurons showed a three-phase response to the motor cortical stimulation. After a selective elimination of motor cortical neuronal projections to a subthalamic nucleus, neuronal activities of GPi, an output station in the basal ganglia were recorded. An early excitation response of the three-phasic response of GPi neurons were suppressed, while remeining responses were intact after the selective elimination. These results suggest that the hyperdirect pathway has a role to suppress unnecessary motor cortical activities before sending of a motor command.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大脳基底核はパーキンソン病など不随運動疾患の原因部位であり、また運動制御、運動強化学習に関わる部位であることから世界中で研究が盛んなターゲットである。本研究では大脳基底核内の１つの経路であるハイパー直接路の役割を明らかにした。この研究をさらに進め、大脳基底核の神経ネットワークが運動の制御に果たすメカニズムが明らかになれば、パーキンソン病などの運動障害を引き起こす神経疾患の治療の開発に寄与すると考えられる。