Connectivity of the Corticostriatal and Thalamostriatal Systems in Normal and Parkinsonian States: An Update

• Authors: Anne-Caroline S. Martel, Emory University; Adriana Galvan, Emory University
• Journal Title: Neurobiology of Disease
• Volume: Volume 174
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2022-11, Pages 105878-None
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105878
• Subjects: Biology, Neuroscience
• Keywords: Thalamo; Cortex; Striatum; Striatal neurons; Parkinsonism

Abstract

The striatum receives abundant glutamatergic afferents from the cortex and thalamus. These inputs play a major role in the functions of the striatal neurons in normal conditions, and are significantly altered in pathological states, such as Parkinson’s disease. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the connectivity of the corticostriatal and thalamostriatal pathways, with emphasis on the most recent advances in the field. We also discuss novel findings regarding structural changes in cortico- and thalamostriatal connections that occur in these connections as a consequence of striatal loss of dopamine in parkinsonism.