Direct and indirect pathway neurons in ventrolateral striatum differentially regulate licking movement and nigral responses

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109847
• Publication Date: 2021-10-22T06:55:22Z
• Authors: Zhaorong Chen; Zhi-Yu Zhang; Wen Zhang; Taorong Xie; Yaping Li; Xiao-Hong Xu; Haishan Yao
• Keywords: Licking; Nigrostriatal pathway; Medium spiny neuron

Highlights•D1- and D2-MSNs in VLS exhibit different oscillatory phases relative to lick cycle•Transient inactivation of D1-MSNs reduces probability individual spout contact•D1- oppositely regulate the responses SNr neurons during lickingSummaryDrinking behavior rodents is characterized by stereotyped, rhythmic licking movement, which regulated basal ganglia. It unclear how direct indirect pathways control bout contact. We find that inactivating D1 D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny (MSNs) ventrolateral striatum (VLS) alters number licks a bout. D1- patterns lick-sequence-related activity oscillation time-locked cycle. On timescale cycle, transient tongue protrusion contact probability, whereas transiently has no effect. bout, (D2-MSNs) causes rate increase (decrease) subset ganglia output decrease firing licking. Our results reveal distinct roles regulating at both coarse fine timescales.Graphical abstract