The role of pallido-striatal neurons in sensory processing under parkinsonian and DBS conditions

The external Globus Pallidus (GPe) is a central part of the Basal Ganglia (BG), a group of subcortical nuclei supporting motor control and involved in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

The GPe was studied mainly within the context of motor function and dysfunction, but the its role in sensory processing has now been demonstrated. Sensory processing is impaired at early stages of PD.

Recently, the GPe has received attention due to its potential role in alleviating PD symptoms and the discovery of a new type of GPe cells projecting exclusively to the striatum, named arkypallidal cells.

We have characterized the synaptic inputs to arkypallidal cells, aiding in understanding their integration to BG circuit.

This proposal aims to unravel the role of the GPe arkypallidal cells in sensory processing in the parkinsonian BG and during deep brain stimulation (DBS). I use in vivo whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in the GPe to study arkypallidal cells in the intact brain.

In this project I will elucidate the striatal targets of arkypallidal cells during sensory stimulation, characterize the role of arkypallidal cells in the Parkinsonian GPe and how it is altered during DBS. I will use RNA-sequencing to find selective markers for the arkypallidal cells, for improved targeting.

This project will fill a gap in our knowledge of BG function in health and disease with focus on the GPe and may provide early diagnostic tools for PD, preceding the emergence of motor deficits.