Various inputs modify caudate neuronal activity

This study investigates the input of substantia nigra (SN), dorsal raphe (DR), and medial lemniscus (ML) on caudate nucleus (CN) neurons as well as a non-specific-polysynaptic input (acoustic AC). Ninety-one units demonstrating spontaneous activity were recorded extracellularly using anesthetized rats. SN, DR, ML, and AC stimulation altered the spontaneous discharges in 79%, 90%, 86%, and 85% of the CN neurons, respectively. Only ML stimulation elicited patterns of time-locked responses in 16% of the CN units. The CN neurons showed high convergence to the four types of stimulation. Based on these results, interconnections and interrelations between SN, DR, ML, and the CN are suggested.