Parallel functional neural circuitry of the basal ganglia with regard to projection from cerebral cortex

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350983
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Basic / Social brain science
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: Karube Fuyuki 同志社大学, 研究開発推進機構, 准教授 (60312279)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 高橋 晋 同志社大学, 脳科学研究科, 教授 (20510960)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUJIYAMA Fumino 同志社大学, 脳科学研究科, 教授 (20244022)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 大脳基底核 / 大脳皮質 / 線条体 / 淡蒼球 / シナプス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The basal ganglia are important on motor behavior and learning, and also relates to various movement disorders. In this study, we investigated input/output neural circuitry involved in the basal ganglia, cerebral cortex, and thalamus, and found new insights on possible functions of the basal ganglia.
On the external segment of globus pallidus (GPe), one of the relay nuclei of the basal ganglia, we found three main cell population distinguished by molecular expression profiles and electrophysiological properties. One type of them massively inhibited dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta, and also was excited by application of Substance P. We also found direct cortical excitation of GPe neurons. In the striatum, we found parvalbumin-expressing interneurons were innervated by both motor thalamic nuclei and motor cortex and the rules of these two excitatory innervation differed from each other.

Free Research Field

神経科学