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A direct projection from mouse primary visual cortex to dorsomedial striatum
Lena A Khibnik1, Nicolas X Tritsch1, Bernardo L Sabatini1
1Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Plos One
|August 21, 2014
Summary
Primary visual cortex (V1) directly connects to the mouse striatum, influencing striatal projection neurons (SPNs). This visual input is sufficient to activate SPNs, suggesting a role for early visual processing in striatal functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual System
- Basal Ganglia
Background:
- The mammalian striatum receives extensive cortical input.
- A direct projection from the primary visual cortex (V1) to the striatum is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and functional properties of a direct V1 projection to the mouse striatum.
- To determine if V1 input influences striatal projection neurons (SPNs).
Main Methods:
- Anterograde and retrograde viral tracing in mice.
- Electrophysiological recordings to assess synaptic function.
- Stimulation of V1 afferents to evoke neuronal activity.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a direct, topographically organized V1 projection to the dorsomedial striatum.
- Confirmed functional excitatory synapses from V1 onto direct and indirect pathway SPNs.
- Showed V1 stimulation evokes phasic firing in SPNs, involving feed-forward inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Identified a functionally innervated striatal region by V1.
- Early visual processing impacts striatal activity and may influence striatal-based behaviors.
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