Elsevier

Neuroscience

Volume 282, 12 December 2014, Pages 156-175
Neuroscience

Review
Functional implications of dopamine D1 vs. D2 receptors: A ‘prepare and select’ model of the striatal direct vs. indirect pathways

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.021Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • A new model of dopamine function in the basal ganglia.

  • Encoding of reward association strength in the direct and indirect pathways.

  • Direct pathways encode using LTP mechanisms.

  • Indirect pathways encode using receptor internalisation.

  • Combined these pathways operate as a ‘prepare and select’ system.

Abstract

The functions of the D1- and D2-dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia have remained somewhat enigmatic, with a number of competing theories relating to the interactions of the ‘direct’ and ‘indirect pathways’. Computational models have been good at simulating properties of the system, but are typically divorced from the underlying neural architecture. In this article we propose a new model which re-addresses response selection at the level of the basal ganglia. At the core of this response selection system the D1 DA receptor-expressing striatal pathways ‘prepare’ the set of possible appropriate responses. The D2DR-expressing striatal pathways then shape and ‘select’ from this initial response set framework.

This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ventral Tegmentum & Dopamine.

Abbreviations

BSR
brain stimulation reward
CS
conditioned stimulus
D1DR
D1 DA receptor
DA
dopamine
DBS
deep brain stimulation
FR(3)
fixed ratio 3
GPCRs
G protein-coupled receptors
GPe
globus pallidus externa
GPi/SNr
globus pallidus interna/substantia nigra pars reticulata
LTP
long-term potentiation
MSNs
medium spiny neurons
PAS
prepare and select
STN
sub-thalamic nucleus

Key words

dopamine
basal ganglia
striatum
direct and indirect pathways
D1 receptor
D2 receptor

Cited by (0)

1

Present address: College Hill Ltd., The Registry, Royal Mint Court, London EC3N 4QN, UK.

2

Tel: +44-1223-333551.