Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Biology Cell Biology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics Science & Technology
The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) is a central hub supporting goal-directed learning and motor performance. Recent evidence has revealed unexpected roles for local inhibitory GABAergic networks in modulating striatal output and behavior.(1) The sparse low-threshold spiking interneuron subtype (LTSI), which exhibits robust reward-circumscribed population activity, is a bidirectional regulator of initial goal-directed learning.(2) Striatal dopamine signaling is a central reward-related neuromodulatory system mediating goal-directed action and performance, serving as a teaching signal,(3) facilitating synaptic plasticity,(4) and invigorating motor behaviors.(5) Given the dynamic modulation of LTSIs during goal-directed behavior, we hypothesized that they could provide a novel GABAergic mechanism of local striatal dopaminergic regulation to shape early learning. We provide anatomical evidence for close proximation of LTSI terminals and dopaminergic processes in striatum, suggesting that LTSIs directly control dopaminergic axon activity. Using in vitro fast scan cyclic voltammetry, we demonstrate that LTSIs directly attenuate optogenetically evoked dopamine via GABAB receptor signaling. In vivo, GRABDA dopamine sensor imaging shows that LTSIs strongly modulate striatal dopamine dynamics during operant learning, while pharmacological stabilization of dopamine via intra-striatal aripiprazole microinjection suppresses the effects of LTSI inhibition on learning. Together, these results uncover an unexpected function for LTSIs in gating striatal dopamine to facilitate goal-directed learning.
M. Felicia Davatolhagh - University of Pennsylvania
Rodrigo A. Espana - Drexel University
Marc Fuccillo - University of Pennsylvania
Publication Details
Current biology, v 31(18), pp 4139-4147.e6
Publisher
Elsevier
Number of pages
16
Grant note
F32 MH114506; R00MH099243; R01 MH118369 / NIMH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gilliam Fellowship; Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Whitehall Foundation
Resource Type
Journal article
Language
English
Academic Unit
Neurobiology and Anatomy
Web of Science ID
WOS:000703803600006
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85115783081
Other Identifier
991019167838604721
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