Action-specific dissecting of basal ganglia: from the classical model to diverse action-specific subcircuits

The ability to learn and produce specific motor movements is critical for many aspects of life and is dysregulated in a range of neurological conditions that affect the basal ganglia circuits. Our ability to help patients critically depends on a deep understanding of basal ganglia function, however, the principles of basal ganglia function and dysfunction in health and disease conditions remain elusive. The proposed work aims to provide a mechanistic, circuit-level understanding of diverse action-specific basal ganglia subcircuits that goes beyond the classical prokinetic versus antikinetic model, with profound implications for a range of brain disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.