Balancing the basal ganglia circuitry: a possible new role for dopamine D2 receptors in health and disease

Globus pallidus is not independent from striatal direct pathway neurons: an up-to-date review

Striatal projection neurons, which are classified into two groups-direct and indirect pathway neurons, play a pivotal role in our understanding of the brain's functionality. Conventional models propose that these two pathways operate independently and have contrasting functions, akin to an "accelerator" and "brake" in a vehicle. This analogy further elucidates how the depletion of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease can result in bradykinesia. However, the question arises: are these direct and indirect pathways truly autonomous? Despite being distinct types of neurons, their interdependence cannot be overlooked. Single-neuron tracing studies employing membrane-targeting signals have shown that the majority of direct pathway neurons terminate not only in the output nuclei, but also in the external segment of the globus pallidus (GP in rodents), a relay nucleus of the indirect pathway. Recent studies have unveiled the existence of arkypallidal neurons, which project solely to the striatum, in addition to prototypic neurons. This raises the question of which type of GP neurons receive these striatal axon collaterals. Our morphological and electrophysiological experiments showed that the striatal direct pathway neurons may affect prototypic neurons via the action of substance P on neurokinin-1 receptors. Conversely, another research group has reported that direct pathway neurons inhibit arkypallidal neurons via GABA. Regardless of the neurotransmitter involved, it can be concluded that the GP is not entirely independent of direct pathway neurons. This review article underscores the intricate interplay between different neuronal pathways and challenges the traditional understanding of their independence.

Evaluation of the acute oral toxicity and antipsychotic activity of a dual inhibitor of PDE1B and PDE10A in rat model of schizophrenia

Phosphodiesterase 1B (PDE1B) and PDE10A are dual-specificity PDEs that hydrolyse both cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and are highly expressed in the striatum. Several reports have suggested that PDE10A inhibitors may present a promising approach for the treatment of positive symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas PDE1B inhibitors may present a novel mechanism to modulate cognitive deficits. Previously, we have reported a novel dual inhibitor of PDE1B and PDE10A, compound 2 [(3-fluorophenyl)(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-4-yl)methanone] which has shown inhibitory activity for human recombinant PDE1B and PDE10A in vitro. In the present study, the safety profile of compound 2 has been evaluated in rats in the acute oral toxicity study, as well as; the antipsychotic-like effects in the rat model of schizophrenia. Compound 2 was tolerated up to 1 g/kg when administered at a single oral dose. Additionally, compound 2 has strongly suppressed ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion, which presented a model for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. It has also shown an ability to attenuate social isolation induced by chronic administration of ketamine and enhanced recognition memory of rats ​in the novel object recognition test. Altogether, our results suggest that compound 2 represents a promising therapy for the treatment of the three symptomatic domains of schizophrenia.

Nigral neuropathology of Parkinson's motor subtypes coincide with circuitopathies: a scoping review

The neuropathological substrates of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with motor subtypes tremor-dominance (TD), non-tremor dominance (nTD), postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD), and akinetic-rigid (AR) are not completely differentiated. While extensive pathological research has been conducted on neuronal tissue of PD patients, data have not been discussed in the context of mechanistic circuitry theories differentiating motor subtypes. It is, therefore, expected that a more specific and tailored management of PD symptoms can be accomplished by understanding symptom-specific neuropathological mechanisms with the detail histology can provide. This scoping review gives an overview of the literature comparing TD and nTD PD motor subtypes by clarify observed pathology with underlying physiological circuitry theories. Studies using an array of pathological examination techniques have shown significant differences between TD and nTD PD subtypes. nTD PD patients show higher neuronal loss, gliosis, extraneuronal melanin deposits, and neuroaxonal dystrophy in multiple subregions of the substantia nigra (SN) related to the overactivity of the indirect motor loop. TD patients show more severe cell loss specifically in medial SN subdivisions, and have damage in the retrorubral field A-8 that projects to the dorsolateral striatum and ventromedial thalamus in the direct motor loop. Pathological studies are consistent with neuroimaging data and support contemporary mechanistic circuitry theories of PD motor symptom genesis. Further multimodal neuroimaging and histological studies are required to validate and expand upon these findings.

Relationship of the Nigrostriatal Tract with the Motor Function and the Corticospinal Tract in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke Patients: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

This study investigated the relationship of the nigrostriatal tract (NST) with motor function and the corticospinal tract (CST) using diffusion tensor tractography in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. Forty-three consecutive patients with putaminal hemorrhage in the chronic stage were recruited. The Motricity Index was used to evaluate the motor function of affected hemiparetic extremities. The fractional anisotropy and the tract volume of ipsilesional NST and ipsilesional CST were acquired. The tract volume (Rho = 0.824) of ipsilesional NST and fractional anisotropy (r = 0.682) and the tract volume (Rho = 0.886) of ipsilesional CST showed a strong positive correlation with the Motricity Index score. The fractional anisotropy of ipsilesional NST showed moderate positive correlations with the fractional anisotropy (r = 0.449) and tract volume (Rho = 0.353) of ipsilesional CST. The tract volume of ipsilesional NST showed strong positive correlations with the fractional anisotropy (Rho = 0.716) and the tract volume (Rho = 0.799) of ipsilesional CST. The regression model showed that the tract volumes of ipsilesional NST and ipsilesional CST were positively associated with the Motricity Index score (Adjusted R² = 0.763, F = 45.998). Mediation analysis showed that the tract volume of ipsilesional CST partially mediated the effects of the tract volume of ipsilesional NST on the Motricity Index score (z = 3.34). A close relationship was found between ipsilesional NST and the motor function of affected extremities in chronic hemiparetic patients with putaminal hemorrhage. Moreover, ipsilesional NST influenced the motor function of affected extremities indirectly through ipsilesional CST.

Unbiased identification of novel transcription factors in striatal compartmentation and striosome maturation

Many diseases are linked to dysregulation of the striatum. Striatal function depends on neuronal compartmentation into striosomes and matrix. Striatal projection neurons are GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), subtyped by selective expression of receptors, neuropeptides, and other gene families. Neurogenesis of the striosome and matrix occurs in separate waves, but the factors regulating compartmentation and neuronal differentiation are largely unidentified. We performed RNA- and ATAC-seq on sorted striosome and matrix cells at postnatal day 3, using the Nr4a1-EGFP striosome reporter mouse. Focusing on the striosome, we validated the localization and/or role of Irx1, Foxf2, Olig2, and Stat1/2 in the developing striosome and the in vivo enhancer function of a striosome-specific open chromatin region 4.4 Kb downstream of Olig2. These data provide novel tools to dissect and manipulate the networks regulating MSN compartmentation and differentiation, including in human iPSC-derived striatal neurons for disease modeling and drug discovery.

Interpreting the role of the striatum during multiple phases of motor learning

The synaptic pathways in the striatum are central to basal ganglia functions including motor control, learning and organization, action selection, acquisition of motor skills, cognitive function, and emotion. Here, we review the role of the striatum and its connections in motor learning and performance. The development of new techniques to record neuronal activity and animal models of motor disorders using neurotoxin, pharmacological, and genetic manipulations are revealing pathways that underlie motor performance and motor learning, as well as how they are altered by pathophysiological mechanisms. We discuss approaches that can be used to analyze complex motor skills, particularly in rodents, and identify specific questions central to understanding how striatal circuits mediate motor learning.

A Disynaptic Circuit in the Globus Pallidus Controls Locomotion Inhibition

The basal ganglia (BG) inhibit movements through two independent circuits: the striatal neuron-indirect and the subthalamic nucleus-hyperdirect pathways. These pathways exert opposite effects onto external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons, whose functional importance as a relay has changed drastically with the discovery of two distinct cell types, namely the prototypic and the arkypallidal neurons. However, little is known about the synaptic connectivity scheme of different GPe neurons toward both motor-suppressing pathways, as well as how opposite changes in GPe neuronal activity relate to locomotion inhibition. Here, we optogenetically dissect the input organizations of prototypic and arkypallidal neurons and further define the circuit mechanism and behavioral outcome associated with activation of the indirect or hyperdirect pathways. This work reveals that arkypallidal neurons are part of a novel disynaptic feedback loop differentially recruited by the indirect or hyperdirect pathways and that broadcasts inhibitory control onto locomotion only when arkypallidal neurons increase their activity.

The Pathophysiology of Tics; An Evolving Story

Background:

Tics, defined as quick, rapid, sudden, recurrent, non-rhythmic motor movements or vocalizations are required components of Tourette Syndrome (TS) - a complex disorder characterized by the presence of fluctuating, chronic motor and vocal tics, and the presence of co-existing neuropsychological problems. Despite many advances, the underlying pathophysiology of tics/TS remains unknown.

Objective:

To address a variety of controversies surrounding the pathophysiology of TS. More specifically: 1) the configuration of circuits likely involved; 2) the role of inhibitory influences on motor control; 3) the classification of tics as either goal-directed or habitual behaviors; 4) the potential anatomical site of origin, e.g. cortex, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum, or other(s); and 5) the role of specific neurotransmitters (dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and others) as possible mechanisms (Abstract figure).

Methods:

Existing evidence from current clinical, basic science, and animal model studies are reviewed to provide: 1) an expanded understanding of individual components and the complex integration of the Cortico-Basal Ganglia-Thalamo-Cortical (CBGTC) circuit - the pathway involved with motor control; and 2) scientific data directly addressing each of the aforementioned controversies regarding pathways, inhibition, classification, anatomy, and neurotransmitters.

Conclusion:

Until a definitive pathophysiological mechanism is identified, one functional approach is to consider that a disruption anywhere within CBGTC circuitry, or a brain region inputting to the motor circuit, can lead to an aberrant message arriving at the primary motor cortex and enabling a tic. Pharmacologic modulation may be therapeutically beneficial, even though it might not be directed toward the primary abnormality.

Alpha-synuclein targets GluN2A NMDA receptor subunit causing striatal synaptic dysfunction and visuospatial memory alteration

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by altered striatal dopaminergic signalling that leads to motor and cognitive deficits. Parkinson's disease is also characterized by abnormal presence of soluble toxic forms of α-synuclein that, when clustered into Lewy bodies, represents one of the pathological hallmarks of the disease. However, α-synuclein oligomers might also directly affect synaptic transmission and plasticity in Parkinson's disease models. Accordingly, by combining electrophysiological, optogenetic, immunofluorescence, molecular and behavioural analyses, here we report that α-synuclein reduces N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic currents and impairs corticostriatal long-term potentiation of striatal spiny projection neurons, of both direct (D1-positive) and indirect (putative D2-positive) pathways. Intrastriatal injections of α-synuclein produce deficits in visuospatial learning associated with reduced function of GluN2A NMDA receptor subunit indicating that this protein selectively targets this subunit both in vitro and ex vivo. Interestingly, this effect is observed in spiny projection neurons activated by optical stimulation of either cortical or thalamic glutamatergic afferents. We also found that treatment of striatal slices with antibodies targeting α-synuclein prevents the α-synuclein-induced loss of long-term potentiation and the reduced synaptic localization of GluN2A NMDA receptor subunit suggesting that this strategy might counteract synaptic dysfunction occurring in Parkinson's disease.

Activation of the mGlu1 metabotropic glutamate receptor has antipsychotic-like effects and is required for efficacy of M4 muscarinic receptor allosteric modulators

Recent clinical and preclinical studies suggest that selective activators of the M₄ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor have potential as a novel treatment for schizophrenia. M₄ activation inhibits striatal dopamine release by mobilizing endocannabinoids, providing a mechanism for local effects on dopamine signaling in the striatum but not in extrastriatal areas. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) typically induce endocannabinoid release through activation of Gα_q/11-type G proteins whereas M₄ transduction occurs through Gα_i/o-type G proteins. We now report that the ability of M₄ to inhibit dopamine release and induce antipsychotic-like effects in animal models is dependent on co-activation of the Gα_q/11-coupled mGlu₁ subtype of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor. This is especially interesting in light of recent findings that multiple loss of function single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human gene encoding mGlu₁ (GRM1) are associated with schizophrenia, and points to GRM1/mGlu₁ as a gene within the "druggable genome" that could be targeted for the treatment of schizophrenia. Herein, we report that potentiation of mGlu₁ signaling following thalamo-striatal stimulation is sufficient to inhibit striatal dopamine release, and that a novel mGlu₁ positive allosteric modulator (PAM) exerts robust antipsychotic-like effects through an endocannabinoid-dependent mechanism. However, unlike M₄, mGlu₁ does not directly inhibit dopamine D₁ receptor signaling and does not reduce motivational responding. Taken together, these findings highlight a novel mechanism of cross talk between mGlu₁ and M₄ and demonstrate that highly selective mGlu₁ PAMs may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of positive symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

Lipid-based nanodelivery approaches for dopamine-replacement therapies in Parkinson's disease: From preclinical to translational studies

The incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, has increased exponentially as the global population continues to age. Although the etiological factors contributing to PD remain uncertain, its average incidence rate is reported to be 1% of the global population older than 60 years. PD is primarily characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons and/or associated neuronal networks and the subsequent depletion of dopamine (DA) levels in the brain. Thus, DA or levodopa (l-dopa), a precursor of DA, represent cardinal targets for both idiopathic and symptomatic PD therapeutics. While several therapeutic strategies have been investigated over the past decade for their abilities to curb the progression of PD, an effective cure for PD is currently unavailable. Even DA replacement therapy, an effective PD therapeutic strategy that provides an exogenous supply of DA or l-dopa, has been hindered by severe challenges, such as a poor capacity to bypass the blood-brain barrier and inadequate bioavailability. Nevertheless, with recent advances in nanotechnology, several drug delivery systems have been developed to bypass the barriers associated with central nervous system therapeutics. In here, we sought to describe the adapted lipid-based nanodrug delivery systems used in the field of PD therapeutics and their recent advances, with a particular focus placed on DA replacement therapies. This work initially explores the background of PD; offers descriptions of the most recent molecular targets; currently available clinical medications/limitations; an overview of several lipid-based PD nanotherapeutics, functionalized nanoparticles, and technical aspects in brain delivery; and, finally, presents future perspectives to enhance the use of nanotherapeutics in PD treatment.

Controversies Surrounding the Pathophysiology of Tics

Tics are sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations (phonic productions) that are commonly present in children and are required symptoms for the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome. Despite their frequency, the underlying pathophysiology of tics/Tourette syndrome remains unknown. In this review, we discuss a variety of controversies surrounding the pathophysiology of tics, including the following: Are tics voluntary or involuntary? What is the role of the premonitory urge? Are tics due to excess excitatory or deficient inhibition? Is it time to adopt the contemporary version of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical (CBGTC) circuit? and Do we know the primary abnormal neurotransmitter in Tourette syndrome? Data from convergent clinical and animal model studies support complex interactions among the various CBGTC sites and neurotransmitters. Advances are being made; however, numerous pathophysiologic questions persist.

Neuropathology and pathogenesis of extrapyramidal movement disorders: a critical update-I. Hypokinetic-rigid movement disorders

Extrapyramidal movement disorders include hypokinetic rigid and hyperkinetic or mixed forms, most of them originating from dysfunction of the basal ganglia (BG) and their information circuits. The functional anatomy of the BG, the cortico-BG-thalamocortical, and BG-cerebellar circuit connections are briefly reviewed. Pathophysiologic classification of extrapyramidal movement disorder mechanisms distinguish (1) parkinsonian syndromes, (2) chorea and related syndromes, (3) dystonias, (4) myoclonic syndromes, (5) ballism, (6) tics, and (7) tremor syndromes. Recent genetic and molecular-biologic classifications distinguish (1) synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease-dementia, and multiple system atrophy); (2) tauopathies (progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, FTLD-17; Guamian Parkinson-dementia; Pick's disease, and others); (3) polyglutamine disorders (Huntington's disease and related disorders); (4) pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration; (5) Wilson's disease; and (6) other hereditary neurodegenerations without hitherto detected genetic or specific markers. The diversity of phenotypes is related to the deposition of pathologic proteins in distinct cell populations, causing neurodegeneration due to genetic and environmental factors, but there is frequent overlap between various disorders. Their etiopathogenesis is still poorly understood, but is suggested to result from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Multiple etiologies and noxious factors (protein mishandling, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, energy failure, and chronic neuroinflammation) are more likely than a single factor. Current clinical consensus criteria have increased the diagnostic accuracy of most neurodegenerative movement disorders, but for their definite diagnosis, histopathological confirmation is required. We present a timely overview of the neuropathology and pathogenesis of the major extrapyramidal movement disorders in two parts, the first one dedicated to hypokinetic-rigid forms and the second to hyperkinetic disorders.

Differential enhancement of ERK, PKA and Ca2+ signaling in direct and indirect striatal neurons of Parkinsonian mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by severe locomotor deficits due to the disappearance of dopamine (DA) from the dorsal striatum. The development of PD symptoms and treatment-related complications such as dyskinesia have been proposed to result from complex alterations in intracellular signaling in both direct and indirect pathway striatal projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs, respectively) following loss of DA afferents. To identify cell-specific and dynamical modifications of signaling pathways associated with PD, we used a hemiparkinsonian mouse model with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion combined with two-photon fluorescence biosensors imaging in adult corticostriatal slices. After DA lesion, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation was increased in response to DA D1 receptor (D1R) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) stimulation. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway contributing to ERK activation displayed supersensitive responses to D1R stimulation after 6-OHDA lesion. This cAMP/PKA supersensitivity was specific of D1R-responding SPNs and resulted from Gα_olf upregulation and deficient phosphodiesterase activity. In lesioned striatum, the number of D1R-SPNs with spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients augmented while Ca²⁺ response to AMPA receptor stimulation specifically increased in iSPNs. Our work reveals distinct cell type-specific signaling alterations in the striatum after DA denervation. It suggests that over-activation of ERK pathway, observed in PD striatum, known to contribute to dyskinesia, may be linked to the combined dysregulation of DA and glutamate signaling pathways in the two populations of SPNs. These findings bring new insights into the implication of these respective neuronal populations in PD motor symptoms and the occurrence of PD treatment complications.

Reduction of repetitive behavior by co-administration of adenosine receptor agonists in C58 mice

Repetitive behaviors are diagnostic for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and commonly observed in other neurodevelopmental disorders. Currently, there are no effective pharmacological treatments for repetitive behavior in these clinical conditions. This is due to the lack of information about the specific neural circuitry that mediates the development and expression of repetitive behavior. Our previous work in mouse models has linked repetitive behavior to decreased activation of the subthalamic nucleus, a brain region in the indirect and hyperdirect pathways in the basal ganglia circuitry. The present experiments were designed to further test our hypothesis that pharmacological activation of the indirect pathway would reduce repetitive behavior. We used a combination of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonists that have been shown to alter the firing frequency of dorsal striatal neurons within the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia. This drug combination markedly and selectively reduced repetitive behavior in both male and female C58 mice over a six-hour period, an effect that required both A1 and A2A agonists as neither alone reduced repetitive behavior. The adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonist combination also significantly increased the number of Fos transcripts and Fos positive cells in dorsal striatum. Fos induction was found in both direct and indirect pathway neurons suggesting that the drug combination restored the balance of activation across these complementary basal ganglia pathways. The adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonist combination also maintained its effectiveness in reducing repetitive behavior over a 7-day period. These findings point to novel potential therapeutic targets for development of drug therapies for repetitive behavior in clinical disorders.

The spatial chronnectome reveals a dynamic interplay between functional segregation and integration

The brain is highly dynamic, reorganizing its activity at different interacting spatial and temporal scales, including variation within and between brain networks. The chronnectome is a model of the brain in which nodal activity and connectivity patterns change in fundamental and recurring ways over time. Most literature assumes fixed spatial nodes/networks, ignoring the possibility that spatial nodes/networks may vary in time. Here, we introduce an approach to calculate a spatially fluid chronnectome (called the spatial chronnectome for clarity), which focuses on the variations of networks coupling at the voxel level, and identify a novel set of spatially dynamic features. Results reveal transient spatially fluid interactions between intra- and internetwork relationships in which brain networks transiently merge and separate, emphasizing dynamic segregation and integration. Brain networks also exhibit distinct spatial patterns with unique temporal characteristics, potentially explaining a broad spectrum of inconsistencies in previous studies that assumed static networks. Moreover, we show anticorrelative connections to brain networks are transient as opposed to constant across the entire scan. Preliminary assessments using a multi-site dataset reveal the ability of the approach to obtain new information and nuanced alterations that remain undetected during static analysis. Patients with schizophrenia (SZ) display transient decreases in voxel-wise network coupling within visual and auditory networks, and higher intradomain coupling variability. In summary, the spatial chronnectome represents a new direction of research enabling the study of functional networks which are transient at the voxel level, and the identification of mechanisms for within- and between-subject spatial variability.

Merging the Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapy of Tics

Background

Anatomically, cortical-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical (CBGTC) circuits have an essential role in the expression of tics. At the biochemical level, the proper conveyance of messages through these circuits requires several functionally integrated neurotransmitter systems. In this manuscript, evidence supporting proposed pathophysiological abnormalities, both anatomical and chemical is reviewed. In addition, the results of standard and emerging tic-suppressing therapies affecting nine separate neurotransmitter systems are discussed. The goal of this review is to integrate our current understanding of the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome (TS) with present and proposed pharmacotherapies for tic suppression.

Methods

For this manuscript, literature searches were conducted for both current basic science and clinical information in PubMed, Google-Scholar, and other scholarly journals to September 2018.

Results

The precise primary site of abnormality for tics remains undetermined. Although many pathophysiologic hypotheses favor a specific abnormality of the cortex, striatum, or globus pallidus, others recognize essential influences from regions such as the thalamus, cerebellum, brainstem, and ventral striatum. Some prefer an alteration within direct and indirect pathways, whereas others believe this fails to recognize the multiple interactions within and between CBGTC circuits. Although research and clinical evidence supports involvement of the dopaminergic system, additional data emphasizes the potential roles for several other neurotransmitter systems.

Discussion

A greater understanding of the primary neurochemical defect in TS would be extremely valuable for the development of new tic-suppressing therapies. Nevertheless, recognizing the varied and complex interactions that exist in a multi-neurotransmitter system, successful therapy may not require direct targeting of the primary abnormality.

Dopamine-endocannabinoid interactions mediate spike-timing-dependent potentiation in the striatum

Dopamine modulates striatal synaptic plasticity, a key substrate for action selection and procedural learning. Thus, characterizing the repertoire of activity-dependent plasticity in striatum and its dependence on dopamine is of crucial importance. We recently unraveled a striatal spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (tLTP) mediated by endocannabinoids (eCBs) and induced with few spikes (~5–15). Whether this eCB-tLTP interacts with the dopaminergic system remains to be investigated. Here, we report that eCB-tLTP is impaired in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease and rescued by L-DOPA. Dopamine controls eCB-tLTP via dopamine type-2 receptors (D₂R) located presynaptically in cortical terminals. Dopamine–endocannabinoid interactions via D₂R are required for the emergence of tLTP in response to few coincident pre- and post-synaptic spikes and control eCB-plasticity by modulating the long-term potentiation (LTP)/depression (LTD) thresholds. While usually considered as a depressing synaptic function, our results show that eCBs in the presence of dopamine constitute a versatile system underlying bidirectional plasticity implicated in basal ganglia pathophysiology.

Dopamine tightly regulates plasticity at corticostriatal synapses. Here, the authors report that endocannabinoid dependent LTP induced with few spikes in the striatum is impaired in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease, requires dopamine through presynaptic D2 receptors located on corticostriatal inputs.

Motor dysfunction as an intermediate phenotype across schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: Progress and perspectives

Primary motor abnormalities (PMA), as found in patients with schizophrenia, are quantitatively and qualitatively distinct markers of motor system abnormalities. PMA have been often referred to phenomena that are present across schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. A dysfunction of frontoparietal and subcortical networks has been proposed as core pathophysiological mechanism underlying the expression of PMA. However, it is unclear at present if such mechanisms are a common within schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. To address this question, we review recent neuroimaging studies investigating the neural substrates of PMA in schizophrenia and so-called "nonschizophrenic nonaffective psychoses" (NSNAP) such as schizophreniform, schizoaffective, brief psychotic, and other unspecified psychotic disorders. Although the extant data in patients with schizophrenia suggests that further investigation is warranted, MRI findings in NSNAP are less persuasive. It is unclear so far which PMA, if any, are characteristic features of NSNAP or, possibly even specific for these disorders. Preliminary data suggest a relationship between relapsing-remitting PMA in hyper-/hypokinetic cycloid syndromes and neurodegenerative disorders of the basal ganglia, likely reflecting the transnosological relevance of subcortical abnormalities. Despite this evidence, neural substrates and mechanisms underlying PMA that are common in schizophrenia and NSNAP cannot be clearly delineated at this stage of research. PMA and their underlying brain circuits could be promising intermediate phenotype candidates for psychotic disorders, but future multimodal neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia and NSNAP patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives are needed to answer fundamental transnosologic questions.

Therapeutic strategies for Parkinson disease: beyond dopaminergic drugs

Existing therapeutic strategies for managing Parkinson disease (PD), which focus on addressing the loss of dopamine and dopaminergic function linked with degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, are limited by side effects and lack of long-term efficacy. In recent decades, research into PD pathophysiology and pharmacology has focused on understanding and tackling the neurodegenerative processes and symptomology of PD. In this Review, we discuss the challenges associated with the development of novel therapies for PD, highlighting emerging agents that aim to target cell death, as well as new targets offering a symptomatic approach to managing features and progression of the disease.

Cholinergic control of striatal neurons to modulate L-dopa-induced dyskinesias

L-dopa induced dyskinesias (LIDs) are a disabling motor complication of L-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) management. Treatment options remain limited and the underlying network mechanisms remain unclear due to a complex pathophysiology. What is well-known, however, is that aberrant striatal signaling plays a key role in LIDs development. Here, we discuss the specific contribution of striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) and GABAergic medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) with a particular focus on how cholinergic signaling may integrate multiple striatal systems to modulate LIDs expression. Enhanced ChI transmission, altered MSN activity and the associated abnormal downstream signaling responses that arise with nigrostriatal damage are well known to contribute to LIDs development. In fact, enhancing M4 muscarinic receptor activity, a receptor favorably expressed on D1 dopamine receptor-expressing MSNs dampens their activity to attenuate LIDs. Likewise, ChI activation via thalamostriatal neurons is shown to interrupt cortical signaling to enhance D2 dopamine receptor-expressing MSN activity via M1 muscarinic receptors, which may interrupt ongoing motor activity. Notably, numerous preclinical studies also show that reducing nicotinic cholinergic receptor activity decreases LIDs. Taken together, these studies indicate the importance of cholinergic control of striatal neuronal activity and point to muscarinic and nicotinic receptors as significant pharmacological targets for alleviating LIDs in PD patients.

Striatonigral neurons divide into two distinct morphological-physiological phenotypes after chronic L-DOPA treatment in parkinsonian rats

Dendritic regression of striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we investigate how chronic dopamine denervation and dopamine replacement with L-DOPA affect the morphology and physiology of direct pathway SPNs (dSPNS) in the rat striatum. We used a lentiviral vector optimized for retrograde labeling (FuG-B-GFP) to identify dSPNs in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. Changes in morphology and physiology of dSPNs were assessed through a combination of patch-clamp recordings and two photon microscopy. The 6-OHDA lesion caused a significant reduction in dSPN dendritic complexity. Following chronic L-DOPA treatment, dSPNs segregated into two equal-sized clusters. One group (here called "cluster-1"), showed sustained dendritic atrophy and a partially normalized electrophysiological phenotype. The other one ("cluster-2") exhibited dendritic regrowth and a strong reduction of intrinsic excitability. Interestingly, FosB/∆FosB induction by L-DOPA treatment occurred preferentially in cluster-2 dSPNs. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of retrograde FuG-B-GFP labeling to study dSPNs in the rat and reveals, for the first time, that a subgroup of dSPNs shows dendritic sprouting in response to chronic L-DOPA treatment. Investigating the mechanisms and significance of this response will greatly improve our understanding of the adaptations induced by dopamine replacement therapy in PD.

Kuhnian revolutions in neuroscience: the role of tool development

The terms "paradigm" and "paradigm shift" originated in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn. A paradigm can be defined as the generally accepted concepts and practices of a field, and a paradigm shift its replacement in a scientific revolution. A paradigm shift results from a crisis caused by anomalies in a paradigm that reduce its usefulness to a field. Claims of paradigm shifts and revolutions are made frequently in the neurosciences. In this article I will consider neuroscience paradigms, and the claim that new tools and techniques rather than crises have driven paradigm shifts. I will argue that tool development has played a minor role in neuroscience revolutions.

On the neuronal circuitry mediating L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia

With the advent of rodent models of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), a growing literature has linked molecular changes in the striatum to the development and expression of abnormal involuntary movements. Changes in information processing at the striatal level are assumed to impact on the activity of downstream basal ganglia nuclei, which in turn influence brain-wide networks, but very little is actually known about systems-level mechanisms of dyskinesia. As an aid to approach this topic, we here review the anatomical and physiological organisation of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits, and the changes affecting these circuits in animal models of parkinsonism and LID. We then review recent findings indicating that an abnormal cerebellar compensation plays a causal role in LID, and that structures outside of the classical motor circuits are implicated too. In summarizing the available data, we also propose hypotheses and identify important knowledge gaps worthy of further investigation. In addition to informing novel therapeutic approaches, the study of LID can provide new clues about the interplay between different brain circuits in the control of movement.

mGlu4 allosteric modulation for treating Parkinson's disease

2017 is the 200th anniversary of the first published description of Parkinson's disease (PD). Fifty years ago, the clinical benefit of levodopa was first documented, representing the most important advance in the treatment of PD so far. Among the novel targets identified in the last decade, positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of mGlu₄ receptors show great promise, with the potential to change the paradigm of the PD treatment approach. mGlu₄ PAMs have shown consistent efficacy in various preclinical models of PD, and entered clinical trials for the first time in 2017. This review synthesizes the rationale for mGlu₄ PAM development for PD and progress to date, reporting the key achievements from preclinical studies to the first-in-class compound assessment in man.

miR-9 regulates basal ganglia-dependent developmental vocal learning and adult vocal performance in songbirds

miR-9 is an evolutionarily conserved miRNA that is abundantly expressed in Area X, a basal ganglia nucleus required for vocal learning in songbirds. Here, we report that overexpression of miR-9 in Area X of juvenile zebra finches impairs developmental vocal learning, resulting in a song with syllable omission, reduced similarity to the tutor song, and altered acoustic features. miR-9 overexpression in juveniles also leads to more variable song performance in adulthood, and abolishes social context-dependent modulation of song variability. We further show that these behavioral deficits are accompanied by downregulation of FoxP1 and FoxP2, genes that are known to be associated with language impairments, as well as by disruption of dopamine signaling and widespread changes in the expression of genes that are important in circuit development and functions. These findings demonstrate a vital role for miR-9 in basal ganglia function and vocal communication, suggesting that dysregulation of miR-9 in humans may contribute to language impairments and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Striatal Local Circuitry: A New Framework for Lateral Inhibition

This Perspective will examine the organization of intrastriatal circuitry, review recent findings in this area, and discuss how the pattern of connectivity between striatal neurons might give rise to the behaviorally observed synergism between the direct/indirect pathway neurons. The emphasis of this Perspective is on the underappreciated role of lateral inhibition between striatal projection cells in controlling neuronal firing and shaping the output of this circuit. We review some classic studies in combination with more recent anatomical and functional findings to lay out a framework for an updated model of the intrastriatal lateral inhibition, where we explore its contribution to the formation of functional units of processing and the integration and filtering of inputs to generate motor patterns and learned behaviors.

Levodopa treatment and dendritic spine pathology

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Levodopa is the most effective treatment for the motor symptoms of PD. However, chronic oral levodopa treatment can lead to various motor and nonmotor complications because of nonphysiological pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation in the brain. Examinations of autopsy cases with PD have revealed a decreased number of dendritic spines of striatal neurons. Animal models of PD have revealed altered density and morphology of dendritic spines of neurons in various brain regions after dopaminergic denervation or dopaminergic denervation plus levodopa treatment, indicating altered synaptic transmission. Recent studies using rodent models have reported dendritic spine head enlargement in the caudate‐putamen, nucleus accumbens, primary motor cortex, and prefrontal cortex in cases where chronic levodopa treatment following dopaminergic denervation induced dyskinesia‐like abnormal involuntary movement. Hypertrophy of spines results from insertion of alpha‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐4‐isoxazolepropanoic acid receptors into the postsynaptic membrane. Such spine enlargement indicates hypersensitivity of the synapse to excitatory inputs and is compatible with a lack of depotentiation, which is an electrophysiological hallmark of levodopa‐induced dyskinesia found in the corticostriatal synapses of dyskinetic animals and the motor cortex of dyskinetic PD patients. This synaptic plasticity may be one of the mechanisms underlying the priming of levodopa‐induced complications such as levodopa‐induced dyskinesia and dopamine dysregulation syndrome. Drugs that could potentially prevent spine enlargement, such as calcium channel blockers, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonists, alpha‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐4‐isoxazolepropanoic acid receptor antagonists, and metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, are candidates for treatment of levodopa‐induced complications in PD. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Striatal D1 medium spiny neuron activation induces dyskinesias in parkinsonian mice

BACKGROUND

Dyskinesias are a disabling motor complication that arises with prolonged l-dopa treatment. Studies using D1 receptor drugs and genetically modified mice suggest that medium spiny neurons expressing D1 receptors play a primary role in l-dopa-induced dyskinesias. However, the specific role of these neurons in dyskinesias is not fully understood.

METHODS

We used optogenetics, which allows for precise modulation of select neurons in vivo, to investigate whether striatal D1-expressing medium spiny neuron activity regulates abnormal involuntary movements or dyskinesia in parkinsonian mice. D1-cre mice unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine received striatal injections of cre-dependent channelrhodopsin2 virus or control virus. After stable virus expression, the effect of optical stimulation on dyskinesia was tested in l-dopa-naïve and l-dopa-primed mice.

RESULTS

Single-pulse and burst-optical stimulation of D1-expressing medium spiny neurons induced dyskinesias in l-dopa-naïve channelrhodopsin2 mice. In stably dyskinetic mice, l-dopa injection induced dyskinesia to a similar or somewhat greater extent than optical stimulation. Combined l-dopa administration and stimulation resulted in an additive increase in dyskinesias, indicating that other mechanisms also contribute. Molecular studies indicate that changes in extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in D1-expressing medium spiny neurons are involved. Optical stimulation did not ameliorate parkinsonism in l-dopa-naïve mice. However, it improved parkinsonism in l-dopa-primed mice to a similar extent as l-dopa administration. None of the stimulation paradigms enhanced dyskinesia or modified parkinsonism in l-dopa-naïve or l-dopa-primed control virus mice.

CONCLUSION

The data provide direct evidence that striatal D1-expressing medium spiny neuron stimulation is sufficient to induce dyskinesias and contributes to the regulation of motor control. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Chemogenetic stimulation of striatal projection neurons modulates responses to Parkinson's disease therapy

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience loss of normal motor function (hypokinesia), but can develop uncontrollable movements known as dyskinesia upon treatment with L-DOPA. Poverty or excess of movement in PD has been attributed to overactivity of striatal projection neurons forming either the indirect (iSPNs) or the direct (dSPNs) pathway, respectively. Here, we investigated the two pathways' contribution to different motor features using SPN type-specific chemogenetic stimulation in rodent models of PD (PD mice) and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID mice). Using the activatory Gq-coupled human M3 muscarinic receptor (hM3Dq), we found that chemogenetic stimulation of dSPNs mimicked, while stimulation of iSPNs abolished the therapeutic action of L-DOPA in PD mice. In LID mice, hM3Dq stimulation of dSPNs exacerbated dyskinetic responses to L-DOPA, while stimulation of iSPNs inhibited these responses. In the absence of L-DOPA, only chemogenetic stimulation of dSPNs mediated through the Gs-coupled modified rat muscarinic M3 receptor (rM3Ds) induced appreciable dyskinesia in PD mice. Combining D2 receptor agonist treatment with rM3Ds-dSPN stimulation reproduced all symptoms of LID. These results demonstrate that dSPNs and iSPNs oppositely modulate both therapeutic and dyskinetic responses to dopamine replacement therapy in PD. We also show that chemogenetic stimulation of different signaling pathways in dSPNs leads to markedly different motor outcomes. Our findings have important implications for the design of effective antiparkinsonian and antidyskinetic drug therapies.

Aminochrome induces dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction: a new animal model for Parkinson's disease

L-Dopa continues to be the gold drug in Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment from 1967. The failure to translate successful results from preclinical to clinical studies can be explained by the use of preclinical models which do not reflect what happens in the disease since these induce a rapid and extensive degeneration; for example, MPTP induces a severe Parkinsonism in only 3 days in humans contrasting with the slow degeneration and progression of PD. This study presents a new anatomy and develops preclinical model based on aminochrome which induces a slow and progressive dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons. The unilateral injection of aminochrome into rat striatum resulted in (1) contralateral rotation when the animals are stimulated with apomorphine; (2) absence of significant loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neuronal elements both in substantia nigra and striatum; (3) cell shrinkage; (4) significant reduction of dopamine release; (5) significant increase in GABA release; (6) significant decrease in the number of monoaminergic presynaptic vesicles; (7) significant increase of dopamine concentration inside of monoaminergic vesicles; (8) significant increase of damaged mitochondria; (9) significant decrease of ATP level in the striatum (10) significant decrease in basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration. These results suggest that aminochrome induces dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons where the contralateral behavior can be explained by aminochrome-induced ATP decrease required both for anterograde transport of synaptic vesicles and dopamine release. Aminochrome could be implemented as a new model neurotoxin to study Parkinson's disease.

Advances in dopamine receptor agonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Dopamine agonists (DA) are a class of agents which directly stimulate dopamine receptors mimicking the endogenous neurotransmitter dopamine. At first used as adjunctive therapy in the advanced phases of the disease, over the years a significant role was found for DA monotherapy as a first approach in the initial stage of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several reviews have already reported efficacy and safety of DA in PD and differences between DA and levodopa. Therefore the objective of this review is to gather recent updates in DA therapy. A thorough knowledge of recent literature evidences, would help clinician in the management of treatment with DA.

AREAS COVERED

Our review investigates recent updates on DA therapy, the role of these compounds in controlling non-motor symptoms (NMS) as well as new formulations under clinical evaluation and newly emerged post-marketing safety considerations. A literature search has been performed using Medline and reviewing the bibliographies of selected articles.

EXPERT OPINION

DA represents a very important option in the treatment of PD, even though there are still some criticisms and unmet needs. A better knowledge of dopamine receptors could lead to identification of new compounds able to better balance clinical efficacy and side effects.

Impairment in subcortical suppression in schizophrenia: Evidence from the fBIRN Oddball Task

Schizophrenia patients show widespread impairments in brain activity during oddball tasks, which involve responding to infrequent target stimuli while refraining from responding during continuous non-target stimuli. In a network-based investigation comparing schizophrenia or schizoaffective patients to healthy controls, we sought to clarify which networks were specifically associated with target detection using a multivariate analysis technique that identifies task-specific functional brain networks. We acquired data from the publicly available function biomedical informatics research network collaboration, including 58 patients and 50 controls. Two task-based functional brain networks were identified: (1) a response modulation network including bilateral temporal pole, supramarginal gyrus, striatum, and thalamus, on which patients showed decreased activity relative to controls; and (2) an auditory-motor response activation network, on which patients showed a slower return to baseline than controls, but no difference in peak activation. For both groups, baseline to peak activation of the response modulation network correlated negatively with peak to baseline activity in the response activation network, suggesting a role in suppressing the motor response following targets. Patients' impaired activity in the response modulation network, and subsequent longer return to baseline in the response activation network, correspond with their later and less accurate behavioral performance, suggesting that impairment in suppression of the auditory-motor response activation network could underlie oddball task deficits in schizophrenia. In addition, the magnitude of the activity in the response modulation network was correlated with intensity of delusions of reference, supporting the notion that increased referential ideation is associated with hyperactivity within the subcortical striatal-limbic network. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4640-4653, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Early synaptic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: Insights from animal models

The appearance of motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) is invariably linked to degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. Traditional views on PD neuropathology have been grounded in the assumption that the prime event of neurodegeneration involves neuronal cell bodies with the accumulation of metabolic products. However, this view has recently been challenged by both clinical and experimental evidence. Neuropathological studies in human brain samples and both in vivo and in vitro models support the hypothesis that nigrostriatal synapses may indeed be affected at the earliest stages of the neurodegenerative process. The mechanisms leading to either structural or functional synaptic dysfunction are starting to be elucidated and include dysregulation of axonal transport, impairment of the exocytosis and endocytosis machinery, altered intracellular trafficking, and loss of corticostriatal synaptic plasticity. The aim of this review is to try to integrate different lines of evidence from both pathogenic and genetic animal models that, to different extents, suggest that early synaptic impairment may represent the key event in PD pathogenesis. Understanding the molecular and cellular events underlying such synaptopathy is a fundamental step toward developing specific biomarkers of early dopaminergic dysfunction and, more importantly, designing novel therapies targeting the synaptic apparatus of selective, vulnerable synapses. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

The external globus pallidus: progress and perspectives

The external globus pallidus (GPe) of the basal ganglia is in a unique and powerful position to influence processing of motor information by virtue of its widespread projections to all basal ganglia nuclei. Despite the clinical importance of the GPe in common motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease, there is only limited information about its cellular composition and organizational principles. In this review, recent advances in the understanding of the diversity in the molecular profile, anatomy, physiology and corresponding behaviour during movement of GPe neurons are described. Importantly, this study attempts to build consensus and highlight commonalities of the cellular classification based on existing but contentious literature. Additionally, an analysis of the literature concerning the intricate reciprocal loops formed between the GPe and major synaptic partners, including both the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus, is provided. In conclusion, the GPe has emerged as a crucial node in the basal ganglia macrocircuit. While subtleties in the cellular makeup and synaptic connection of the GPe create new challenges, modern research tools have shown promise in untangling such complexity, and will provide better understanding of the roles of the GPe in encoding movements and their associated pathologies.

Motor dysfunction within the schizophrenia-spectrum: A dimensional step towards an underappreciated domain

At the beginning of the 20th century, genuine motor abnormalities (GMA) were considered to be intricately linked to schizophrenia. Subsequently, however, GMA have been increasingly regarded as unspecific transdiagnostic phenomena or related to side effects of antipsychotic treatment. Despite possible medication confounds, within the schizophrenia spectrum GMA have been categorized into three broad categories, i.e. neurological soft signs, abnormal involuntary movements and catatonia. Schizophrenia patients show a substantial overlap across a broad range of distinct motor signs and symptoms suggesting a prominent involvement of the motor system in disease pathophysiology. There have been several attempts to increase reliability and validity in diagnosing schizophrenia based on behavior and neurobiology, yet relatively little attention has been paid to the motor domain in the past. Nevertheless, accumulating neuroscientific evidence suggests the possibility of a motor endophenotype in schizophrenia, and that GMA could represent a specific dimension within the schizophrenia-spectrum. Here, we review current neuroimaging research on GMA in schizophrenia with an emphasis on distinct and common mechanisms of brain dysfunction. Based on a dimensional approach we show that multimodal neuroimaging combined with fine-grained clinical examination can result in a comprehensive characterization of structural and functional brain changes that are presumed to underlie core GMA in schizophrenia. We discuss the possibility of a distinct motor domain, together with its implications for future research. Investigating GMA by means of multimodal neuroimaging can essentially contribute at identifying novel and biologically reliable phenotypes in psychiatry.