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Does an imbalance between the dorsal and ventral striatopallidal systems play a role in Tourette's syndrome? A neuronal circuit approach.

Tourette's syndrome is characterized by simple, involuntary muscle contractions and/or more complex movements or stereotyped behaviors, including vocalizations. There are strong indications that the basal ganglia play an important role in the pathophysiology of Tourette's syndrome. The present account reviews the functional anatomy of the basal ganglia, with an emphasis on the prefrontal cortex-ventral striatopallidal system. Different parts of the basal ganglia and thalamocortical system, with a focus on the premotor and prefrontal cortices, are connected with each other via parallel, functionally segregated basal ganglia-thalamocortical systems. These parallel circuits, representing sensorimotor, cognitive and emotional-motivational behavioral processes, are connected with each other through specific pathways that serve to integrate these various functions. In the context of the discussion on the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to the expression of tics, emphasis is placed on the pathways that lead from the ventral striatum via the dopaminergic substantia nigra to the dorsal striatum. The dorsal striatum is crucial for habit formation. A conclusion of this overview of the anatomical organization of the basal ganglia is that via dopaminergic pathways limbic-relation information can influence the expression of (fragments of) motor and behavioral repertoires. Whether such mechanisms indeed play a role in the expression of tics in Tourette's syndrome remains to be established.

Animals↗

Behavioral steering in dual and social states of conation by the amygdala, hypothalamus, ventral striatum, and thalamus.

Conative information relating to goal states is proposed as regulating columnar information structures in the neocortex. These structures may handle a spatiotemporal hierarchy of sensorimotor information and conative information. In basic behavioral states, a subcortical system selects a dominant modality of conation (corresponding to a specific goal state) from cortical and subcortical sources, and enhances or suppresses activity in neocortical information structures, yielding the selected modality. These adjustments steer behavior relative to the goal state, allowing assembly of new behavior patterns. For opposing or cooperative modalities of conation, a dual-state system is proposed that modulates the basic-state system. For more extended combinations of conative modalities, a further function is needed that interrelates the basic-state system and the cortex to provide hierarchical conation. Basic-state system control may be exercised by the hypothalamus, influencing the cortex via the thalamus. Other conative control functions may be implemented by the amygdala and the ventral striatum. Opiatergic circuits may be involved in modifying conative components of information.

Amygdala↗

Distinct roles for different Homer1 isoforms in behaviors and associated prefrontal cortex function.

Homer1 mutant mice exhibit behavioral and neurochemical abnormalities that are consistent with an animal model of schizophrenia. Because the Homer1 gene encodes both immediate early gene (IEG) and constitutively expressed (CC) gene products, we used the local infusion of adeno-associated viral vectors carrying different Homer1 transcriptional variants into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to distinguish between the roles for IEG and CC Homer1 isoforms in the "schizophrenia-like" phenotype of Homer1 mutant mice. PFC overexpression of the IEG Homer1 isoform Homer1a reversed the genotypic differences in behavioral adaptation to repeated stress, whereas overexpression of the constitutively expressed Homer1 isoform Homer1c reversed the genotypic differences in sensorimotor and cognitive processing, as well as cocaine behavioral sensitivity. Homer1a overexpression did not influence PFC basal glutamate content but blunted the glutamate response to cocaine in wild-type mice. In contrast, Homer1c overexpression reversed the genotypic difference in PFC basal glutamate content and enhanced cocaine-induced elevations in glutamate. These data demonstrate active and distinct roles for Homer1a and Homer1c isoforms in the PFC in the mediation of behavior, in the maintenance of basal extracellular glutamate, and in the regulation of PFC glutamate release relevant to schizophrenia and stimulant abuse comorbidity.

Animals↗

The acoustic startle response in rats--circuits mediating evocation, inhibition and potentiation.

This review describes the neuronal mechanisms underlying the mediation and modulation of the acoustic startle response (ASR) in rats. The combination of anatomical, physiological and behavioral methods has identified pathways which mediate and modulate the ASR. The ASR is mediated by a relatively simple, oligosynaptic pathway located in the lower brainstem which activates spinal and cranial motor neurons. An important element of the pathway which mediates the ASR is the caudal nucleus of the pontine reticular formation (PnC). Interestingly, this nucleus is also the target of input from various brain nuclei which are involved in the modulation (e.g. fear-potentiation, sensitization, habituation, prepulse inhibition and pleasure-attenuation) of the ASR. Hence, the PnC can be described as a sensorimotor interface, where the transition of sensory input into the motor output can be directly influenced by excitatory or inhibitory afferents. On the basis of these facts we conclude that the ASR may be a valuable model for the study of general principles of sensorimotor-motivational information processing at the behavioral and neurophysiological level in mammals.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Perioral somatosensory but not visual inputs to the flank of the mouse superior colliculus.

An electrophysiological and anatomical study identified the sensory inputs to the "flank" of the mouse's superior colliculus, a large, ventrolateral extension of layer IV (stratum griseum intermediate) that has no overlying visual layers (II and III). Electrophysiological recordings with subsequent histological localization showed that the flank receives predominantly somatosensory projections from the perioral region but not visual input. In its caudal parts, the flank also has limb and trunk somatosensory inputs and auditory inputs. The perioral somatosensory projections to the flank are ordered somatotopically. The flank is considered part of the superior colliculus since the perioral inputs are adjacent to inputs from mystacial vibrissae in the more medial parts of the superior colliculus, hence forming a single continuous map. The finding that no visual responses occur above the flank (due to the absence of superficial layers) or within it is in accord with the concept of an intermodality "spatial register". Since flank neurons have somatosensory receptive fields in non-visible parts of the body and they lack visual responses, the flank may be involved more in tactile-dependent rather than in vision-dependent orienting behaviors. Thus, the superior colliculus may, in parallel, carry out sensorimotor transformations related to (1) shift of gaze and (2) tactile-dependent behaviors not involving vision.

Animals↗

Time-course and regional distribution of the metabolic effects of bromocriptine in the rat brain.

Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) and motor behavior were examined in awake Fischer-344 rats after administration of the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine (BROMO). LCGU was measured using the [14C]2-deoxyglucose technique in 63 brain regions at 1,2,3 or 4 h after BROMO 20 mg/kg, and at 4 h after BROMO 100 mg/kg i.p. At 2 h, LCGU was reduced significantly in 13% of the 63 regions examined. The affected regions are related to the topographical distribution of dopaminergic innervation in the brain. At 3-4 h, LCGU remained depressed in some of the above dopaminergic regions, but was elevated significantly in regions which are involved in sensorimotor function. BROMO also produced two behavioral effects depending on time after administration. Locomotor activity was depressed at 1-2 h, and stereotyped behavior appeared at 3-4 h. The time-dependent effects of BROMO may reflect progressively increasing brain concentrations of the drug or of its active metabolites. The coincidence of locomotor depression and reduction of LCGU in dopaminergic regions suggests a role of dopamine autoreceptors in regulation of motor function. Metabolic stimulation of many non-dopaminergic regions when stereotypy is evident suggests that circuit(s) involving these areas may contribute to stereotypy.

Animals↗

Effects of strain and serotonergic agents on prepulse inhibition and habituation in mice.

Neural sensorimotor gating mechanisms prevent the interruption of ongoing information processing routines by ensuing stimuli to permit mental integration and adaptive behavior. Prepulse inhibition (PPI), an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, is now being investigated using murine models to exploit transgenic and "knockout" technology. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate potential murine strain differences in the effects of serotonergic drugs on PPI and habituation. Two strains used most often as a genetic background for transgenic or knockout manipulations, C57BL/6 and 129Sv, and the outbred ICR strain were used. We assessed the effects of the 5-HT(1A/1B) agonist 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6)tetrahydropyridin-4-yl-1H-indole (RU24969), the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), the 5-HT(2A/2C) agonist (+/-)2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), and the serotonin releaser (+)3, 4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) on PPI and habituation of acoustic startle in the three strains. C57BL/6 mice exhibited lower baseline PPI levels than 129Sv and ICR mice, and 129Sv mice habituated less than C57BL/6 and ICR mice. MDMA decreased PPI in C57BL/6 and ICR, but not 129Sv mice, and RU24969 disrupted habituation in C57BL/6 and 129Sv, but not ICR mice. Lastly, RU24969 decreased and 8-OH-DPAT increased PPI across all strains, although qualitative differences were observed. Thus, both baseline and serotonergic drug-induced effects on murine PPI and habituation are strain-dependent.

Animals↗

A multivariate quantitative-genetic analysis of behavioral development in mice.

The present experiment attempted a behavior-genetic dissection of early behavioral development in laboratory mice. To this end, we used a full, replicated diallel cross to uncover the genetical architecture as well as the multivariate genetic structure underlying early behavioral ontogeny. A number of standard sensorimotor tests were administered on postnatal Days 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 17, and 22 to a total of 622 pups from 120 litters (4-6 pups per litter) from a four times replicated complete diallel cross between five inbred mouse strains. The first day on which an animal showed adult performance was taken as its score on that test. MANOVA did not show any effects of the pup's sex on the speed of development. Hayman's analysis of variance for diallel tables indicated no or only weak additive-genetic effects. Dominance was absent in almost all cases, except for the auricular startle response, where weak directional dominance for fast development was found. These results are in accordance with an evolutionary past of directional selection for well-canalized development. Factor analyses of the phenotypic and additive-genetic correlation matrices indicate that at least two factors are necessary to describe the behavioral variation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The functional role of interhemispheric synchronization in the control of bimanual timing tasks.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether synchronized activity between the right and left primary sensorimotor cortices has a functional role in the organization of bimanual in-phase and anti-phase movement patterns, performed at different cycling frequencies. To this end we evaluated the cortical dynamics by means of task-related EEG. Both behavioral performance and coupling between the primary sensorimotor cortices in the beta frequency band were reduced with increasing movement speed, and this effect was far more powerful in the anti-phase than in-phase mode. Thus, a progressive degradation of interhemispheric connectivity with cycling rate was associated with a deteriorating behavioral output. Overall, these results support a significant role for interhemispheric synchronization in the control of bimanual movements.

Adult↗

Neurophysiology of prehension. I. Posterior parietal cortex and object-oriented hand behaviors.

Hand manipulation neurons in areas 5 and 7b/anterior intraparietal area (AIP) of posterior parietal cortex were analyzed in three macaque monkeys during a trained prehension task. Digital video recordings of hand kinematics synchronized to neuronal spike trains were used to correlate firing rates of 128 neurons with hand actions as the animals grasped and lifted rectangular and round objects. We distinguished seven task stages: approach, contact, grasp, lift, hold, lower, and relax. Posterior parietal cortex (PPC) firing rates were highest during object acquisition; 88% of task-related area 5 neurons and 77% in AIP/7b fired maximally during stages 1, 2, or 3. Firing rates rose 200-500 ms before contact, peaked at contact, and declined after grasp was secured. 83% of area 5 neurons and 72% in AIP/7b showed significant increases in mean rates during approach as the fingers were preshaped for grasp. Somatosensory signals at contact provided feedback concerning the accuracy of reach and helped guide the hand to grasp sites. In error trials, tactile information was used to abort grasp, or to initiate corrective actions to achieve task goals. Firing rates declined as lift began. 41% of area 5 neurons and 38% in AIP/7b were inhibited during holding, and returned to baseline when grasp was relaxed. Anatomical connections suggest that area 5 provides somesthetic information to circuits linking AIP/7b to frontal motor areas involved in grasping. Area 5 may also participate in sensorimotor transformations coordinating reach and grasp behaviors and provide on-line feedback needed for goal-directed hand movements.

Action Potentials↗

Generative character of perception: a neural architecture for sensorimotor anticipation.

The basic idea of our anticipatory approach to perception is to avoid the common separation of perception and generation of behavior and to fuse both aspects into a consistent neural process. Our approach tries to explain the phenomenon of perception, in particular, of perception at the level of sensorimotor intelligence, from a behavior-oriented point of view. Perception is assumed to be a generative process of anticipating the course of events resulting from alternative sequences of hypothetically executed actions. By means of this sensorimotor anticipation, it is possible to characterize a visual scenery immediately in categories of behavior, i.e. by a set of actions which describe possible methods of interaction with the objects in the environment. Thus, the competence to perceive a complex situation can be understood as the capability to anticipate the course of events caused by different action sequences. Starting from an abstract description of anticipatory perception and the essential biological evidence for internal simulation, we present two biologically motivated computational models that are able to anticipate and evaluate hypothetically sensorimotor sequences. Both models consider functional aspects of those cortical and subcortical systems that are assumed to be involved in the process of sensory prediction and sensorimotor control. Our first approach, the Model for Anticipation based on Sensory IMagination (MASIM), realizes a sequential search in sensorimotor space using a simple model of lateral cerebellum as sensory predictor. We demonstrate the efficiency of this model approach in the light of visually guided local navigation behaviors of a mobile system. The second approach, the Model for Anticipation based on Cortical Representations (MACOR), is actually still at a conceptual level of realization. We postulate that this model allows a completely parallel search at the neocortical level using assemblies of spiking neurons for grouping, separation, and selection of sensorimotor sequences. Both models are intended as general schemes for anticipation based perception at the level of sensorimotor intelligence.

Journal Article↗

Behavioral electrophysiology of the prefrontal cortex of the primate.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is critical for temporal organization of behavior. It mediates cross-temporal sensorimotor contingencies, integrating motor action (including speech) with recent sensory information. It performs this role through cooperation of 2 cognitive functions represented in its dorsolateral areas: short-term memory (STM) and preparatory set. Supporting data have been obtained from monkeys performing delay tasks, which epitomize the principle of cross-temporal contingency. In a given trial, the animal performs an act contingent on a sensory cue given a few seconds or minutes earlier. During the delay between cue and response, cells in dorsolateral PFC show sustained activation. Two cell categories can be identified in tasks in which cue and response are spatially separate. Cells of the first participate in STM: Their activation tends to diminish as the delay progresses; in some, the activation level depends on the particular cue received. Similar cells are found elsewhere in the cortex. Cells of the second category seem to take part in preparation of motor response: Their activation tends to increase in anticipation of it and may be attuned to the particular movement the cue calls for. This cell type is rare outside of the frontal cortex. The temporally integrative function of the PFC is probably based on local interactions between "memory" and "motor-set" cells, as well as on neural associations between PFC and posterior cortical areas.

Animals↗

Some functional recovery and behavioral sparing occurs independent of task-specific practice after injury to the rat's sensorimotor cortex.

These experiments on rats evaluated whether recovery of competence in certain motor tests could be enhanced by practice begun soon after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Before TBI, rats were pre-trained to cross a flat and a pegged beam. Anesthetized animals received a right sensorimotor cortex TBI. One group began task-specific testing (flat and pegged beams) on day 1 after injury and repeated 13 times in 35 days by which time functional recovery occurred. Paw preference was evaluated eight times during the 35 day period, beginning the third day after injury. A second group of injured rats remained in their home cage without any testing for 35 days after injury. From day 35 they were tested 13 times over the next 35 days on both beam tests and eight times on the paw preference test. At day 35 those rats that remained in their home cage without testing (task-specific practice) performed as well on the flat beam as the rats that began testing 1 day after injury. By day 37, their third test day, the untested rats performed as well as the tested rats on the pegged beam. Paw preference was the same in both groups of rats. These results were compared to sham-operated controls. Post-injury performance as measured by these tests indicated that most of the recovery occurred without task-specific practice. However, task-specific practice was necessary to achieve optimum performance on both beam tests. This implies that neural reorganization occurred independent of any practice. Task specific practice served to 'fine tune' the rat's performance after 35 days.

Animals↗

Goal directed motor behavior and its adaptation following reversed tactile perception in man.

When two adjacent fingers are crossed over each other and two tactile stimuli are touched to the two crossed fingertips, the two stimuli are perceived to be inverted in space. This phenomenon of tactile reversal was used in the present work to study the sensorimotor transformation occurring in goal directed motor behavior. When the subjects had to perform a movement toward a tactile stimulus (target) in tactile reversal conditions, the stimulus directed movements were performed wrongly, that is, away from the target. However, not all the subjects perceived a complete inversion of the stimuli; in this case, the target stimulus was perceived to be on the same side as its actual position, although with an error. In these conditions, the stimulus directed movements were performed correctly, that is, toward the target. These results show that the illusory spatial perception of the stimuli controls motor behavior on the basis of the amount of the perceptual error. Within the first hour of training, several compensatory responses occurred so as to produce correct motor performance. Despite this motor learning, reversed tactile perception remained reversed. Therefore, what subjects learned was the execution of the movements opposite to those necessary for reaching the target stimulus, without any change in perception. In the context of theories concerning the relationship between motor learning and perceptual adaptation, the present study shows that, with this experimental paradigm, motor learning during the first hour was mainly cognitive and did not have short-term effects upon perceptual processes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Hormonal activation of the striatum and the nucleus accumbens modulates paced mating behavior in the female rat.

Sexual behavior in the female rat has both sensorimotor and motivational components, which can be distinguished when the female rat is able to pace the rate of copulation. The experiments reported were conducted to determine whether estrogen application to the striatum and/or nucleus accumbens affects pacing behavior. In order to induce sexual receptivity, ovariectomized rats received sequential bilateral implants of 17beta-estradiol followed by progesterone into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Then, bilateral implants of 17beta-estradiol or cholesterol were administered into either the dorsolateral striatum or the nucleus accumbens. Pacing behavior was tested 4 hr later. It was found that intrastriatal application of estradiol significantly facilitated the percent exits exhibited after copulatory contact, whereas application of estradiol in the nucleus accumbens affected the return latency. To determine whether estrogen in the striatum or nucleus accumbens normally plays a role in pacing behavior, intrastriatal or intra-accumbens implants containing the steroidal antiestrogen ICI 182,780 or vehicle were given to ovariectomized female rats treated systemically with estrogen and progesterone. The antiestrogen treatment decreased the percent exits when delivered to the striatum and affected return latency when delivered to the nucleus accumbens. The results indicate that estrogen acts directly in the striatum and in the nucleus accumbens to differentially modulate specific components of pacing behavior.

Animals↗

Neuroprotective and behavioral effects of the selective metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor antagonist BAY 36-7620.

This study characterized the neuroprotective and behavioral effects of (3aS,6aS)-6a-naphtalen-2-ylmethyl-5-methyliden-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]furan-1-on (BAY 36-7620), a novel, selective and systemically active metabotropic glutamate (mGlu)(1) receptor antagonist. In the rat, neuroprotective effects were obtained in the acute subdural hematoma model (efficacy of 40-50% at 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg/h, i.v. infusion during the 4 h following surgery); whereas in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model, a trend for a neuroprotective effect was obtained after triple i.v. bolus application of 0.03-3 mg/kg, given immediately, 2 and 4 h after occlusion. Hypothermic effects were mild and only obtained at doses which were considerably higher than those at which maximal neuroprotective efficacy was obtained, indicating that the neuroprotective effects are not a consequence of hypothermia. BAY 36-7620 protected against pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions in the mouse (MED: 10 mg/kg, i.v.). As assessed in rats, BAY 36-7620 was devoid of the typical side-effects of the ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptor antagonists phencyclidine and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydroxy-5H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801). Thus, BAY 36-7620 did not disrupt sensorimotor gating, induce phencyclidine-like discriminative effects or stereotypical behavior, or facilitate intracranial self-stimulation behavior. Although behavioral stereotypies and disruption of sensorimotor gating induced by amphetamine or apomorphine were not affected by BAY 36-7620, the compound attenuated some behavioral effects of iGlu receptor antagonists, such as excessive grooming or licking, and their facilitation of intracranial self-stimulation behavior. It is concluded that mGlu(1) receptor antagonism results in neuroprotective and anticonvulsive effects in the absence of the typical side-effects resulting from antagonism of iGlu receptors.

Animals↗

Persistent neurochemical and behavioral abnormalities in adulthood despite early iron supplementation for perinatal iron deficiency anemia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been associated with altered cognitive, motor, and social-emotional outcomes in human infants. We recently reported that rats with chronic perinatal IDA, had altered regional brain iron, monoamines, and sensorimotor skill emergence during early development. OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term consequences of chronic perinatal IDA on behavior, brain iron and monoamine systems after dietary iron treatment in rats. METHODS: Sixty dams were randomly assigned to iron-sufficient (CN) or low-iron (EID) diets during gestation and lactation. Thereafter, all offspring were fed the iron-sufficient diet, assessed for hematology and behavior after weaning and into adulthood and for brain measures as adults (regional brain iron, monoamines, dopamine and serotonin transporters, and dopamine receptor). Behavioral assessments included sensorimotor function, general activity, response to novelty, spatial alternation, and spatial water maze performance. RESULTS: Hematology and growth were similar for EID and CN rats by postnatal day 35. In adulthood, EID thalamic iron content was lower. Monoamines, dopamine transporter, and dopamine receptor concentrations did not differ from CN. EID serotonin transporter concentration was reduced in striatum and related regions. EID rats had persisting sensorimotor deficits (delayed vibrissae-evoked forelimb placing, longer sticker removal time, and more imperfect grooming chains), were more hesitant in novel settings, and had poorer spatial water maze performance than CN. General activity and spatial alternation were similar for EID and CN. CONCLUSION: Rats that had chronic perinatal IDA showed behavioral impairments that suggest persistent striatal dopamine and hippocampal dysfunction despite normalization of hematology, growth and most brain measures.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

Disruption of spatial organization and interjoint coordination in Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and multiple system atrophy.

Patients with basal ganglia diseases may exhibit ideomotor apraxia. To define the nature of the impairment of the action production system, we studied a repetitive gesture of slicing bread by three-dimensional computergraphic analysis in eight nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease in the "on" state, five with progressive supranuclear palsy and four with multiple system atrophy. Two patients with Parkinson's disease and two with progressive supranuclear palsy showed ideomotor apraxia for transitive movements on standard testing. A Selspott II system was used for kinematic analysis of wrist trajectories and angular motions of the shoulder and elbow joints. Patients with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and even some with multiple system atrophy exhibited kinematic deficits in the spatial precision of movement and velocity-curvature relationships; in addition, they failed to maintain proper angle/angle relationships and to apportion their relative joint amplitudes normally. Spatial disruption of wrist trajectories was more severe in patients with ideomotor apraxia. We posit that the basal ganglia are part of the parallel parieto-frontal circuits devoted to sensorimotor integration for object-oriented behavior. The severity and characteristics of spatial abnormalities of a transitive movement would therefore depend on the location and distribution of the pathologic process within these circuits.

Aged↗