Investigation of primate dopaminergic neural circuits regulating response inhibition: an approach using optical technology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20676
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Wang Yawei 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 研究員 (40959128)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 反応抑制 / ドーパミン / 光遺伝学 / 霊長類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Response inhibition, in which behavior is inhibited when an unwanted outcome is anticipated, is a cognitive function that is essential for animal survival. This response inhibition function is known to be impaired by abnormalities in the midbrain dopamine system. Nonetheless, the circuit-level mechanisms by which the dopamine system regulates response inhibition remain ambiguous.
In this study, to clarify the role of the striatal dopamine pathway in response inhibition in macaque monkeys, we measured dopamine signals projected to the striatum when response inhibition is required using dopamine imaging. The results showed that the dopamine release within the putamen was increased when the monkey was required to cancel a planned saccadic eye movement. This event was more prominent when the monkey successfully canceled the eye movement than when the monkey failed it.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大脳皮質－大脳基底核ループ回路の中でドーパミン入力を受け取る線条体に注目し、ドーパミンニューロン－線条体神経路が反応抑制に果たす役割をヒトに近縁なマカクザルを用いて、光技術を本研究に適用することによって、霊長類で発達した反応抑制を制御するドーパミン神経回路基盤を世界に先駆けて明らかにすることができると考える。ヒトに近縁なマカクザルを用いた本研究の成果は、ドーパミン神経系の異常が関係する精神・神経疾患において、反応抑制が障害されるメカニズムの解明に寄与するとともに、新たな治療法の開発につながることが期待される。