A new model of the role of the basal ganglia in eye movement initiation.

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DESCRIPTION: In this application we have one Specific Aim: To test a new model of saccade generation by the nigro-colliculus pathway by determining the influence of the inhibitory inputs from the substantia nigra pars reticulata (nigra) on identified neuronal cell types within the superior colliculus. To achieve this aim we propose two experiments using the in vitro rodent model. Each of these experiments will be performed on both projection neurons and GAD 67 GFP labeled interneurons within both the intermediate (premotor) layers and the superficial (visual) layers of the colliculus. We shall, 1) introduce hyperpolarizing current into collicular neurons to assess expression of Ih, the hyperpolarization activated cation current and use hyperpolarizing voltage steps under voltage clamp to test for Ih in collicular neurons. 2) Introduce realistic spike trains into the nigra and record from neurons in the colliculus to assess whether nigral activity invokes Ih leading to bursting in superior colliculus neurons. The work proposed here may change the current dogma regarding the role of the nigro-collicular pathway in eye movement initiation by showing that its role is active rather than a passive gating of cortical afferents. The results therefore, may provide a new understanding of how eye movement symptoms occurring in neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases involving the basal ganglia such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette syndrome, attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia arise.