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Basal ganglia network dynamics and function: Role of direct, indirect and hyper-direct pathways in action selection
Jian Song1, Hui Lin2, Shenquan Liu1
1School of Mathematics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Network (Bristol, England)
|March 1, 2023
Summary
This study models basal ganglia pathways to explain action selection. Findings reveal how direct, indirect, and hyper-direct pathways, along with inhibition and excitation, control motor programs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Basal ganglia (BG) are crucial for action selection.
- The precise decision-making mechanisms within BG remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a spiking neural network model of BG pathways.
- To elucidate the roles of direct, indirect, and hyper-direct pathways in action selection.
Main Methods:
- Simulated a spiking neural network based on BG anatomy.
- Investigated action selection dynamics, including competition.
- Analyzed the impact of stimulus intensity and neural excitation/inhibition balance.
Main Results:
- Inhibition and excitation significantly shape action selection processes.
- Explained the non-monotonic firing rate changes in GPi/SNr during action selection.
- Demonstrated how BG pathways jointly initiate, execute, and terminate motor programs.
Conclusions:
- The direct, indirect, and hyper-direct pathways are key to BG decision-making.
- The model provides a unified view of BG function in motor control.
- Highlights the critical role of neural inhibition and excitation in action selection.
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