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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.11.16.468594

Asymmetrical choice-related ensemble activity in direct and indirect-pathway striatal neurons drives perceptual decisions

Cui, L.·Tang, S.·Zhao, K.·Pan, J.·Zhang, Z.·Si, B.·Xu, N.
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Abstract

Sensory-guided decision-making is a vital brain function critically depending on the striatum, a key brain structure transforming sensorimotor information into actions. However, how the two opposing striatal pathways work in concert to select actions during decision-making remains controversial. Here, using cell-type specific two-photon imaging and optogenetic perturbations from the posterior dorsal striatum during decision-making behavior in mice, we uncover the population coding and causal mechanisms of the direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs) in decision-related action selection. Unexpected from prevailing models, we found that both dSPNs and iSPNs contain divergent subpopulations representing competing choices, and exhibit ensemble-level asymmetry: stronger contralateral dominance in dSPNs than in iSPNs. Such multi-ensemble competition/cooperation causally contributes to decision-related action selection, as supported by systematic optogenetic manipulations and verified by computational modeling. Our results unravel a multi-ensemble coordination mechanism in the striatum for action selection during decision-making.

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Cui, L., Tang, S., Zhao, K., Pan, J., Zhang, Z., Si, B., Xu, N.. 2021-11-19. Asymmetrical choice-related ensemble activity in direct and indirect-pathway striatal neurons drives perceptual decisions. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.16.468594

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