Functions of the neostriatum: cortex-dependent or autonomous?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Comparative Neurology

Background:

• The neostriatum and neocortex are crucial brain structures involved in various functions.
• Understanding the dependency of neostriatal functions on cortical input is essential for comprehending brain integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing animal studies to determine the extent to which neostriatal functions rely on cortical input.
• To explore potential cortex-independent functions of the neostriatum.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies involving ablations of the neocortex, neostriatum, or both in different animal models.
• Analysis of behavioral and functional outcomes following these ablations.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests the neostriatum shares some functions with the neocortex, with varying degrees of cortex-dependency across species and age.
• Neostriatal functions appear cortex-independent in rats and infant monkeys, but more cortex-dependent in cats and adult monkeys.
• The neostriatum may possess unique, cortex-independent functions.

Conclusions:

• Neostriatal function is not solely dependent on cortical input, exhibiting species- and age-specific variations.
• The neostriatum's contribution to behavioral integration is adaptable and influenced by the presence or absence of cortical input.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the cortex-independent roles of the neostriatum.