The cortex and basal ganglia exhibit interdependent changes during learning. However, it is not clear whether plasticity occurs sequentially or concurrently across these structures. To address this question, we simultaneously recorded cortical and striatal activity while training mice on a visuomotor association task that involved turning a wheel to move a stimulus from a cue position to a target position. Prior to the development of learned behavior, context-independent visual responses increased in the visual-recipient striatum. This was followed by the emergence of context-dependent stimulus responses in both the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the mPFC-recipient striatum at the onset of learned behavior. All of these regions also exhibited increased responses to stimuli in the rewarded target position. However, while the visual-recipient striatum was non-selective between cue and target stimuli, the mPFC and mPFC-recipient striatum switched from being target-stimulus responsive before learning to being cue-stimulus responsive after learning. Our results suggest that sensorimotor learning involves routing stimulus information first to the sensory striatum and then to frontal motor circuits.

Cholinergic interneurons (CINs) are essential elements of striatal circuits and functions. Although acetylcholine signaling via muscarinic receptors (mAChRs) has been well studied, more recent data indicate that postsynaptic nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) located on striatal GABAergic interneurons (GINs) are equally critical. One example is that CIN stimulation induces large disynaptic inhibition of striatal projection neurons (SPNs) mediated by nAChR activation of GINs. Although these circuits are ideally positioned to modulate striatal output, the neurons involved are not definitively identified because of an incomplete mapping of CINs-GINs interconnections. Here, we show that CINs modulate four GINs populations via an intricate mechanism involving co-activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic mAChRs and nAChRs. Using optogenetics, we demonstrate the participation of tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing GINs in the disynaptic inhibition of SPNs via heterotypic electrical coupling with neurogliaform interneurons. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of CINs in regulating GINs microcircuits via complex synaptic/heterosynaptic mechanisms.

Voltage imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for recording membrane potential changes in living cells, offering a direct measurement of rapid neuronal events with high temporal precision. Since the brain is a three-dimensional circuit, it is essential to record signals across a volume. However, achieving effective three-dimensional voltage imaging over large neuronal populations remains challenging due to the need for high imaging speed, high signal-to-noise ratio, and extensive volume coverage. In this study, we demonstrate in vivo three-dimensional voltage imaging in larval zebrafish using oblique plane microscopy and QFDBD-QUAS-driven expression of the genetically encoded voltage indicator Ace-mNeon2-Kv2.1, achieving volumetric imaging rates of up to 200 volumes per second (VPS). This approach enables dye-free voltage imaging, simplifying experimental workflows and improving the reproducibility of in vivo voltage imaging experiments for investigating neuronal circuit dynamics in the living zebrafish animal model.

Basal Ganglia Advances is a collection highlighting research on the structure, function, and disorders of the basal ganglia. It features studies spanning neuroscience, clinical insights, and computational models, serving as a hub for advances in movement, cognition, and behavior.

Recent advances in the field of Voltage Imaging, with a special focus on new constructs and novel implementations.

Work related to place tuning, spatial navigation, orientation and direction. Mainly includes articles on connectivity in the hippocampus, retrosplenial cortex, and related areas.

Adult reconstruction surgeons face unique occupational challenges during joint arthroplasty procedures, including sustained physical demands, ergonomic strain, noise exposure, and psychological pressure from high patient expectations. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence regarding physical and psychological stressors encountered by surgeons performing hip and knee arthroplasty.

Little is known about the use of intranasal agents in the management of orbital infections in children. This study aims to describe intranasal corticosteroid use in children hospitalized with orbital infections and to determine whether an association exists between intranasal corticosteroids and length of hospital stay.