Topic: hyperdirect pathway

High-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective evidence-based therapy for Parkinson's disease, however, its effects on the motor network are unclear. In anaesthetized mice we studied the layer- and frequency-specific effects of DBS on the connectivity between STN and rostral and caudal forelimb area (RFA and CFA) layers, the respective homologs to human premotor and motor cortex. Multi-site extracellular recordings served to quantify local field potential-driven activity at rest and during burst STN stimulation at multiple stimulation-freqeuncies f

The basal ganglia (BG) play an essential role in shaping vertebrate behavior, ranging from motor learning to emotions, but comprehensive maps of their canonical synaptic architecture are missing. In mammals, three spatially separated main neuronal pathways through the BG were described - the direct, indirect, and hyperdirect pathways - that work together to orchestrate behavior. In songbirds, the cell types associated with these pathways appear intermingled in the basal ganglia nucleus Area X, essential for song learning. Here, we describe the first vertebrate basal ganglia connectome, compris

The increasing burden of drug addiction on society and the challenge of treating addicts has been the focus of much research in the past decades. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been shown to be a very interesting target since its inactivation by lesion or Deep Brain Stimulation can reduce motivation for cocaine, while increasing motivation for sweet food. Since the STN is a hub of the Basal ganglia and receives direct cortical projections (the hyperdirect pathway) it is important to clarify the role of this pathway in the effects observed after STN manipulations. This study thus seeks to cl