Is subcortical input to the basal ganglia via the thalamus organised into parallel, functionally segregated channels ? (360G-Wellcome-080943_Z_06_Z)

£334,830

Analysis of parallel, partially closed-loop projections connecting the cerebral cortex with the basal ganglia has been a dominant feature in basal ganglia research for the past 20 years. Although of comparable anatomical significance, input from the thalamus has received much less attention. The likely importance of this input was, however, emphasised in our recent proposal that a series of phylogenetically older, looped connections exist between the basal ganglia and important structures in the brainstem, including the midbrain superior colliculus (SC). A general feature of subcortical input to the basal ganglia (striatum) is that it arrives via relays in the thalamus (Appendix Fig 1). Thus, a direct test of the 'subcortical loops' hypothesis will determine whether the multiple thalamic relays that receive input from the SC and provide output to the striatum can be viewed as anatomically and functionally segregated channels. We propose a series of convergent anatomical, physiological and behavioural investigations to test this hypothesis. Given the evolutionary conserved nature of subcortical brain architecture, understanding this circuitry will help us appreciate how this currently poorly understood component of the basal ganglia might contribute to the basal ganglia-related dysfunctions that afflict humans.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 334830
Applicant Surname Redgrave
Approval Committee Neurosciences And Mental Health
Award Date 2006-10-12T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2006/07
Grant Programme: Title Project Grant
Internal ID 080943/Z/06/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Peter Redgrave
Other Applicant(s) Prof Paul Overton
Partnership Value 334830
Planned Dates: End Date 2011-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2007-03-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Yorkshire and the Humber