Sensory processing in external globus pallidus neurons

Sensory processing is crucial for execution of appropriate behavior. The external globus pallidus (GPe), a nucleus within the basal ganglia, is highly involved in the control of movement and could potentially inte-grate sensory-motor information. The GPe comprises prototypic and arkypallidal cells, which receive partially overlapping inputs. It is unclear, however, which inputs convey sensory information to them. Here, we used in vivo whole-cell recordings in the mouse GPe and optogenetic silencing to characterize the pathways that shape the response to whisker stimulation in prototypic and arkypallidal cells. Our results show that sensory integration in prototypic cells is controlled by the subthalamic nucleus and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (MSNs), whereas in arkypallidal cells, it is primarily shaped by direct pathway MSNs. These results suggest that GPe subpopulations receive sensory information from largely different neural populations, reinforcing that the GPe consists of two parallel pathways, which differ anatomically and functionally.

Automated summary

Sensory processing is crucial for appropriate behavior. This study investigates the pathways involved in sensory integration in different types of cells in the external globus pallidus (GPe), a region important for motor control. The results show that prototypic cells in the GPe receive sensory information from the subthalamic nucleus and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (MSNs), while arkypallidal cells primarily receive sensory information from direct pathway MSNs. These findings highlight the anatomical and functional differences in the GPe's parallel pathways.