This project addresses the question of how the brain controls the sequential order of behavior (i.e., action syntax). The basal ganglia play an important role in coordinating the serial order of behavior. How this is done will be studied via a neuroethological approach, which uses natural behavioral patterns, combined with neural manipulations, to reveal brain functions.
Our previous studies showed that the neostriatum implements specific patterns of serial order, involved in rodent grooming behavior. A goal of this project is to better understand the role of neostriatal dopamine systems in grooming syntax, and the localization of substrates that produce sequential super-stereotypy of patterns. The ability of dopamine agonist microinjections to enhance specific patterns of action will be compared across two neuroanatomical sites within the basal ganglia (substantia nigra and dorsal neostriatum).
The results of these experiments will improve our knowledge of how natural behavior results from normal brain function. In addition, a clear understanding of the origin and maintenance of grooming behavior is likely to impact our understanding of other syntactically-timed behaviors, including human language.
