Neostriatal cell subtypes and their functional roles

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• The neostriatum plays a key role in movement control via projections to the globus pallidus (GP) and substantia nigra (SN).
• Understanding striatal neuron function requires knowledge of their physiological and morphological traits.
• Striatal spiny neurons are the primary projection neurons, while aspiny interneurons modulate their activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the organization and physiological roles of striatal cell subtypes within local circuitry.
• To understand how diverse striatal neurons contribute to basal ganglia function.

Main Methods:

• This article discusses existing research on striatal neuron characteristics.
• It synthesizes findings on the physiological, chemical, and connectional heterogeneity of striatal cells.
• The focus is on the local circuitry and functional roles within the basal ganglia.

Main Results:

• Striatal spiny and aspiny neurons exhibit significant heterogeneity.
• Aspiny interneurons receive excitatory inputs and influence spiny projection neuron firing.
• Cell subtypes are organized within the local striatal circuitry.

Conclusions:

• The diverse subtypes of striatal neurons are organized within local circuits.
• These neurons play critical roles in basal ganglia function and movement regulation.