Opponent control of action selection in the cortico-basal-ganglia-colliculus loop

摘要 动作选择计算是目标导向行为的核心。行动选择模型表明， 通过潜在选择方案之间的竞争来选择适当的行动。选择竞争是 认为发生在一个多区域网络，跨越额叶皮层，基底神经节，及其下游 回路中，神经元群体编码潜在的选择选项相互抑制，以提供 对手控制选择活动。然而，这些大脑区域如何相互作用来介导这一过程以及 选择竞争仍然没有解决。我们最近发现了一个额叶皮质基底节上丘 网络负责决策过程中定向舔的动作选择。不同的神经元 在这个多区域网络中的种群对舔取方向的相反选择进行编码， 动态舔运动之前，反映选择竞争。值得注意的是，激活或抑制 上级丘足以双向控制推拉选择竞争动力学内 网络，暗示上级丘作为一个关键的网络节点，可以调解选择竞争。这些 数据表明，在额叶皮层和基底神经节内的电路编码竞争选择的工作模型 它们以地形限制的方式影响下游上级丘， 控制特定操作的选择活动。利用一套最近开发的技术， 旨在精确定义一个中尺度的皮质-基底节-丘网络，用于行动选择（目标1和2） 直接探测额叶皮层、基底神经节和上级丘的相互作用， 选择竞争（目标3）。结果将测试长期存在的行为选择理论，并阐明其 神经电路实现。

Abstract Action selection computations are at the core of goal-directed behavior. Models of action selection suggest that appropriate actions are selected through competition between potential choice options. Choice competition is thought to occur across a multi-regional network that span frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and their downstream circuits where neuronal population encoding potential choice options mutually inhibit each other to provide opponent control of choice activity. Yet, how these brain regions interact to mediate this process and the loci of choice competition remain unresolved. We recently identified a frontal cortico-basal-ganglia-superior colliculus network responsible for action selection of directional licking during decision-making. Distinct neuronal populations in this multi-regional network encode opposing choice options for lick direction and exhibit push-pull dynamics prior to a licking movement, reflecting choice competition. Remarkably, activating or suppressing the superior colliculus is sufficient to bidirectionally control the push-pull choice competition dynamics within the network, implicating the superior colliculus as a key network node that can mediate choice competition. These data suggest a working model in which circuits within frontal cortex and basal ganglia encode competition choice options and they influence downstream superior colliculus in a topographically confined fashion to drive opponent control of choice activity for specific actions. Leveraging a suite of recently developed technologies, this proposal aims to precisely define a mesoscale cortico-basal-ganglia-colliculus network for action selection (Aim 1 and 2) and directly probe the interactions of frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and superior colliculus to resolve the loci of choice competition (Aim 3). The outcome will test longstanding theories of action selection and elucidate their neural circuit implementations.