Topic: GABAergic medium spiny neurons

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region involved in rewarding and aversive responses. The NAc is mainly composed of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing either dopamine receptor D1 or D2. Some studies propose an antagonist role of D1- and D2-MSNs, whereas others suggest that both populations play distinct, but not necessarily opposing roles in valence behaviour.Here, we used deep brain 1-photon calcium imaging to follow NAc D1- or D2-MSN activity in response to opposing valence stimuli and during associative learning. In addition, we used optogenetics to further unravel t

The striatum constitutes the main input structure of the basal ganglia and is mainly composed of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs) giving rise to the direct and indirect pathways. An additional compartmentalization of the striatum, consisting in the striosomes and the matrix was described decades ago. The respective network organization and functions of these compartments are much less understood along with the differences in their MSNs intrinsic properties. Our aim is to assess the intrinsic properties of the striosomal and matrix neurons and to characterize their functional connectivity.