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The Role of Corticostriatal Microcircuitry in Sensorimotor Integration

Award Number: F31NS124343
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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The Role of Corticostriatal Microcircuitry in Sensorimotor Integration - Project Summary The processing of sensory stimuli is fundamental for the selection of appropriate actions during behavior and learning, a process known as sensorimotor integration. The striatum, a key input center of the basal ganglia, is involved in sensorimotor integration, and disruptions in striatal networks can lead to disorders such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Tourette’s syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In mice, sensations and movements are represented in the brain by changes in neuronal activity in the primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortex respectively. Although S1 and M1 share overlapping projections to the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), which has been heavily implicated in the formation of sensorimotor associations, the underlying circuit dynamics of how activity from S1 and M1 is represented in the DLS during sensory-guided decision making is poorly understood. Recent work in our lab has demonstrated that during a whisker-based sensorimotor integration task, stimulation of M1 corticostriatal projections excites striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) and fast spiking interneurons (FSIs) equally, and promotes behavioral responding to the task. In contrast, S1 corticostriatal stimulation produces stronger excitation of FSIs compared to SPNs, and suppresses behavioral responding. These findings strongly suggest that the opposing effects of M1 and S1 corticostriatal stimulation on sensory guided decision-making are due to differences in their connectivity to DLS SPNs and FSIs. This proposal investigates the hypothesis that S1 and M1 corticostriatal projections facilitate sensorimotor integration through differences in their connectivity to SPNs and FSIs in the DLS. A viral circuit mapping strategy along with single- cell filling will be employed in aim 1 to determine the input anatomy of S1 and M1 onto DLS SPNs and FSIs. The capacity for plasticity at these synapses will be assessed in aim 2 using a combination of optogenetic stimulation and electrophysiology. The encoding of sensory and motor related features of a Go/NoGo whisker-based decision-making task in DLS SPNs and FSIs will be assessed in aim 3 using chronic in-vivo 2-photon calcium imaging. This proposed fellowship will support a training environment that is in line with the goals of diversity in the NIH. It provides excellent opportunities to utilize impactful professional relationships both inside and outside the scientific community. Furthermore, it will provides technical training for a strong foundation in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and in-vivo imaging. Together, the proposal herein has significant potential to prepare one for a successful scientific career, as well as significantly impact our understanding of sensorimotor integration in the striatum.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$19,769 )
2025	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	4/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$19,769
														Subtotal = -$19,769

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $41,294 )
2023	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	3	7/21/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$41,294
2023	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	5/15/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $41,294

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $40,352 )
2022	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	65 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07107	ESSEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	8/5/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$40,352
2022	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	9/9/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
														Subtotal = $40,352

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $39,636 )
2021	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	7/7/2021	NEW	$39,636
2021	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	1	7/7/2021	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $39,636

Grand Total All Awards = $101,513

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The Role of Corticostriatal Microcircuitry in Sensorimotor Integration

Award Number: F31NS124343

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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