Abstract
The striatum is a heterogeneous structure with a diverse range of neuron types and neuromodulators. Three decades of anatomical and biochemical studies have established that the neurochemical organization of striatum is not uniformly heterogeneous, but rather, can be differentiated into neurochemically discrete compartments known as striosomes (also known as patches) and matrix. These compartments are well understood to differ in their expression of neurochemical markers, with some differences in afferent and efferent connectivity and have also been suggested to have different involvement in a range of neurological diseases. However, the functional outcomes of striosome-matrix organization are poorly understood. Now, recent findings and new experimental tools are beginning to reveal that the distinctions between striosomes and matrix have distinct consequences for striatal synapse function. Here, we review recent findings that suggest there can be distinct regulation of neural function in striosome versus matrix compartments, particularly compartment-specific neurochemical interactions. We highlight that new transgenic and viral tools are becoming available that should now accelerate the pace of advances in understanding of these long-mysterious striatal compartments.
Highlights
The striatum is the primary input nucleus of the basal ganglia and has critical function in motor control and regulation of motivated behaviors.[1,2] One of the primary functions of the basal ganglia is the selection of context-appropriate actions.[3,4] In order for this to be achieved, inputs must be received, integrated, or segregated from other incoming signals and relayed to appropriate outputs.[5]
Neurons across striatum receive inputs from multiple brain regions including from cortex, thalamus, midbrain, hippocampus, and brainstem.[8−13] There is considerable topographic organization, whereby, for example, cortical and dopaminergic inputs from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) distribute along a broadly ventromedial to dorsolateral axis.[13,11]
The biochemical composition of striosomes has been suggested to differ with anterior− posterior (AP) coordinate, with MOR expressed at greater density in striosomes found more anteriorly, whereas substance P (SP) expression is similar throughout the AP axis.[29]
Summary
The striatum is the primary input nucleus of the basal ganglia and has critical function in motor control and regulation of motivated behaviors.[1,2] One of the primary functions of the basal ganglia is the selection of context-appropriate actions.[3,4] In order for this to be achieved, inputs must be received, integrated, or segregated from other incoming signals and relayed to appropriate outputs.[5].
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