Pallidal prototypic neuron and astrocyte activities regulate flexible reward-seeking behaviors.

ABSTRACT: Behavioral flexibility allows animals to adjust actions to changing environments. While the basal ganglia are critical for adaptation, the specific role of the external globus pallidus (GPe) is unclear. This study examined the contributions of two major GPe cell types-prototypic neurons projecting to the subthalamic nucleus (Proto^GPe→STN neurons) and astrocytes-to behavioral flexibility. Using longitudinal operant conditioning with context reversals, we found that Proto^GPe→STN neurons dynamically represent contextual information correlating with behavioral optimality. In contrast, GPe astrocytes exhibited gradual contextual encoding independent of performance. Deleting Proto^GPe→STN neurons impaired adaptive responses to changing action-outcome contingencies

SUBMITTER: Kang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11844423 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature