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

Award Number: R01NS131229
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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


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 = $395,320 )
2025	2025	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	3	4/9/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$395,320
2025	2024	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	2	5/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2024	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	4/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $395,320

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $387,999 )
2024	2024	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	5/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$27,999
2024	2024	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	3/13/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$360,000
														Subtotal = $387,999

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $400,000 )
2023	2023	BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1 BAYLOR PLZ	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	3/6/2023	NEW	$400,000
														Subtotal = $400,000

Grand Total All Awards = $1,183,319

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

Award Number: R01NS131229

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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