Spatial variation in the effects of inactivation of substantia nigra on neuronal activity in rat superior colliculus

Superior colliculus (SC)-mediated behaviours are under the disinhibitory control of the striato-nigro-collicular projection. We systematically investigated the homogeneity of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) influence on different populations of SC neurons by recording the effects of intranigral GABA microinjections on 149 cells at different locations in the rat SC. Suppression of the tonic activity of SNr resulted in both the facilitation and paradoxical inhibition of spatially-segregated SC target neurons. These dual influences were found to broadly map onto the SC origins of the descending projections known to support approach and avoidance/defensive behaviours. These findings are consistent with an organisation which promotes contrasting processes for the selection of a behaviour and simultaneous suppression of competing motor programs.