7. dorsal striatum: plasticity

Question 1

what is the link between motor learning and plasticity in striatum

Question 2

recall the composition of basal ganglia circuitry

Answer 2

cortex -> striatum MSNs (at rest silent) -]
(Globus pallidus external -])
Globus pallidus internal PNs (tonically active) -]
Thalamus -> cerebral cortex and motor neurons

Question 3

describe plasticity of cortico-striatal synapses (glutamatergic imputs to basal ganglia)

Question 4

how is the striatum divided?

Answer 4

1. Dorso-Lateral: motor skills and habits
2. Dorso-Medial: goal-directed learning
3. Ventral: motivation and addiction

Question 5

what is the local striatal circuitry?

Answer 5

containing MSN (medium spiny neurons, previously called striatal projection neurons) = GABAergic, 2 types: direct-pathway (activatory, D1) and indirect-pathway (inhibitory, D2).

Receive imput:
1. Glutamatergic from cortex & thalamus
2. Dopaminergic (D1,D2) from SN
3. Cholinergic (M1,M4) from interneurons