Inhibitory Pedunculopontine Neurons Gate Dopamine-Mediated Motor Actions of Unsigned Valence

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) maintains a bidirectional connectivity with the basal ganglia that supports their shared roles in the selection and execution of motor actions. Previous studies identified a role for PPN neurons in goal-directed behavior, but the cellular substrates underlying this function have not been elucidated. We recently revealed the existence of a monosynaptic GABAergic input from the PPN that inhibits dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra. Activation of this pathway interferes with the execution of learned motor sequences when the actions are rewarded, even though the inhibition of dopamine neurons did not shift the value of the action, hence suggesting executive control over the gating of behavior.

To test the attributes of the inhibition of dopamine neurons by the PPN in the context of goal-directed behavior regardless of whether the outcome is positively or negatively reinforced.

We delivered optogenetic stimulation to PPN GABAergic axon terminals in the substantia nigra during a battery of behavioral tasks with positive and negative valence.

Inhibition of dopamine neurons by PPN optogenetic activation during an appetitive task impaired the initiation and overall execution of the behavioral sequence without affecting the consumption of reward. During an active avoidance task, the same activation impaired the ability of mice to avoid a foot shock, but their escape response was unaffected. In addition, responses to potential threats were significantly attenuated.

Our results show that PPN GABAergic neurons modulate learned, goal-directed behavior of unsigned valence without affecting overall motor behavior.