Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2022 Jun;23(6):342-360. doi: 10.1038/s41583-022-00581-w. Epub 2022 Apr 14.
The execution and learning of diverse movements involve neuronal networks distributed throughout the nervous system. The brainstem and basal ganglia are key for processing motor information. Both harbour functionally specialized populations stratified on the basis of axonal projections, synaptic inputs and gene expression, revealing a correspondence between circuit anatomy and function at a high level of granularity. Neuronal populations within both structures form multistep processing chains dedicated to the execution of specific movements; however, the connectivity and communication between these two structures is only just beginning to be revealed. The brainstem and basal ganglia are also embedded into wider networks and into systems-level loops. Important networking components include broadcasting neurons in the cortex, cerebellar output neurons and midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Action-specific circuits can be enhanced, vetoed, work in synergy or competition with others, or undergo plasticity to allow adaptive behaviour. We propose that this highly specific organization of circuits in the motor system is a core ingredient for supporting behavioural specificity, and at the same time for providing an adequate substrate for behavioural flexibility.
不同运动的执行和学习涉及分布在整个神经系统中的神经元网络。脑干和基底神经节是处理运动信息的关键。这两个区域都包含了基于轴突投射、突触输入和基因表达分层的功能特化群体，揭示了在高粒度水平上电路解剖结构和功能之间的对应关系。这两个结构中的神经元群体形成了专门用于执行特定运动的多步骤处理链；然而，这两个结构之间的连接和通信才刚刚开始被揭示。脑干和基底神经节也嵌入到更广泛的网络和系统级循环中。重要的网络组件包括皮质中的广播神经元、小脑输出神经元和中脑多巴胺能神经元。特定于动作的回路可以被增强、否决、协同或竞争工作，或者经历可塑性以实现适应性行为。我们提出，运动系统中这种高度特化的回路组织是支持行为特异性的核心要素，同时为行为灵活性提供了足够的基质。
