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Cell and circuit complexity of the external globus pallidus

Nature Neuroscience volume 26, pages 1147–1159 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

The external globus pallidus (GPe) of the basal ganglia has been underappreciated owing to poor understanding of its cells and circuits. It was assumed that the GPe consisted of a homogeneous neuron population primarily serving as a ‘relay station’ for information flowing through the indirect basal ganglia pathway. However, the advent of advanced tools in rodent models has sparked a resurgence in interest in the GPe. Here, we review recent data that have unveiled the cell and circuit complexity of the GPe. These discoveries have revealed that the GPe does not conform to traditional views of the basal ganglia. In particular, recent evidence confirms that the afferent and efferent connections of the GPe span both the direct and the indirect pathways. Furthermore, the GPe displays broad interconnectivity beyond the basal ganglia, consistent with its emerging multifaceted roles in both motor and non-motor functions. In summary, recent data prompt new proposals for computational rules of the basal ganglia.

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Fig. 1: Classic model and GPe-centric model of the basal ganglia.
Fig. 2: Developmental and marker heterogeneity of GPe neurons.
Fig. 3: Inputs to the GPe.
Fig. 4: Distinct efferent projections of GPe neuron subtypes.
Fig. 5: Cellular and circuit substrates for functional regulation by GPe neurons.

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Acknowledgements

We thank past and current members of the Chan laboratory for their creativity and dedication to our understanding of the pallidum. This work was supported by NIH NS069777 (C.S.C.), MH112768 (C.S.C.), NS097901 (C.S.C.), MH109466 (C.S.C.), NS088528 (C.S.C.), AG020506 (A.P.) and a Parkinson’s Foundation postdoctoral fellowship (PF-PRF-837511 to C.D.C.).

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  1. Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Connor D. Courtney, Arin Pamukcu & C. Savio Chan

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Correspondence to C. Savio Chan.

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Courtney, C.D., Pamukcu, A. & Chan, C.S. Cell and circuit complexity of the external globus pallidus. Nat Neurosci 26, 1147–1159 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01368-7

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