title: Heterosynaptic regulation of external globus pallidus inputs to the subthalamic nucleus by the motor cortex.
abstract: The two principal movement-suppressing pathways of the basal ganglia, the so-called hyperdirect and indirect pathways, interact within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). An appropriate level and pattern of hyperdirect pathway cortical excitation and indirect pathway external globus pallidus (GPe) inhibition of the STN are critical for normal movement and are greatly perturbed in Parkinson's disease. Here we demonstrate that motor cortical inputs to the STN heterosynaptically regulate, through activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors, the number of functional GABAA receptor-mediated GPe-STN inputs. Therefore, a homeostatic mechanism, intrinsic to the STN, balances cortical excitation by adjusting the strength of GPe inhibition. However, following the loss of dopamine, excessive cortical activation of STN NMDA receptors triggers GPe-STN inputs to strengthen abnormally, contributing to the emergence of pathological, correlated activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Hong-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Atherton
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wokosin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: D James
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Surmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: m-bevan@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bevan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D059330:GABAergic Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D051379:Mice; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D062308:Optogenetics; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D004298:Dopamine