Specific populations of basal ganglia output neurons target distinct brain stem areas while collateralizing throughout the diencephalon.

ABSTRACT: Basal ganglia play a central role in regulating behavior, but the organization of their outputs to other brain areas is incompletely understood. We investigate the largest output nucleus, the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), and delineate the organization and physiology of its projection populations in mice. Using genetically targeted viral tracing and whole-brain anatomical analysis, we identify over 40 SNr targets that encompass a roughly 50-fold range of axonal densities. Retrograde tracing from the volumetrically largest targets indicates that the SNr contains segregated subpopulations that differentially project to functionally distinct brain stem regions. These subpopulations are electrophysiologically specialized and topographically organized and collateralize to common dienc

SUBMITTER: McElvain LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8169061 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature