It is a fundamental challenge for organisms to chunk a series of actions into sequence and acquire a large action repertoire for survival and reproduction. The organization of behavior into action sequences, and how it is realized in the nervous system has been a central question in neuroscience. Dysfunctions of the cortico- basal ganglia circuits are associated with impaired sequential behavior in many neurological and psychiatric diseases including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The striatum is the major input nuclei of the basal ganglia, which receive sensory, motor and cognitive information across cerebral cortex. Current model of basal ganglia suggested that there are two major neural subcircuits, called the ?direct? and ?indirect? pathways, for selecting and inhibiting actions respectively. Nevertheless, this over-simplified opponent view has been challenged by recent work. In addition, besides the direct and indirect pathways, it has been known for a long time that there are two compartments in the striatum, termed the patch (striosome) and matrix, which can be defined by the expression of immune- histochemical markers like mu-opioid receptors. Important functional differences have been suggested between the patch and matrix compartments based on the observations in human basal ganglia disorders. However, the functional understanding of the patch vs. matrix compartment and their roles in controlling actions are largely missing at this moment. Conventional anatomical and electrophysiological methods are ill- suited to address these questions because these compartments are irregular in shape and different cell types are mixed in distribution, making the precise lesion or physiological studies rather difficult if not impossible. This project will take advantage of a series of cutting-edge neurotechniques including in vivo recording with cell type identification, optogenetics, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, viral tracing and miniscope imaging, combined with quantitative behavior and computational modeling, to dissect the role of specific striatal compartments in action sequence learning and execution, in comparison with the function of striatal pathways. Furthermore, it aims to systemically investigate the physiology and function of different striatal cell types and their interaction with specific cortical inputs during behavior. Firstly, a novel action sequence task in mice with quantitative behavior will be developed to determine the striatal involvement in action sequences at molecular and cellular levels. It is then followed by in vivo electro-chemical, electrophysiological and optogenetic experiments to define the activity and contribution of various striatal cell types to sequence execution. Finally modified rabies virus will be utilized to define cell-type-specific cortico-striatal pathways, and dissect the physiology and function of these pathways during behavior with advanced imaging and optogenetics. Together this project will advance the understanding of the function and logic of specific corticostriatal circuitry for both action sequence learning and execution.

Public Health Relevance

Cortico-basal ganglia circuits are essential to many motor and cognitive functions including action sequencing and movement control, and their dysfunction contributes to a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We aim to investigate the cell-type and pathway-specific functions of the different parallel cortico-basal ganglia loops in action sequence learning and execution, combining innovative molecular, genetic and physiological approaches. A comprehensive understanding of the functional organization of these cortico-basal ganglia circuits will lead us to more efficient interventions to treat or prevent many neurological and psychiatric diseases in humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS083815-07
Application #
9944681
Study Section
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Study Section (LAM)
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
2013-05-01
Project End
2023-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Department
Type
DUNS #
078731668
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
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