Multisensory integration in the basal ganglia

Abstract

Sensorimotor co-ordination in mammals is achieved predominantly via the activity of the basal ganglia. To investigate the underlying multisensory information processing, we recorded the neuronal responses in the caudate nucleus (CN) and substantia nigra (SN) of anaesthetized cats to visual, auditory or somatosensory stimulation alone and also to their combinations, i.e. multisensory stimuli. The main goal of the study was to ascertain whether multisensory information provides more information to the neurons than do the individual sensory components. A majority of the investigated SN and CN multisensory units exhibited significant cross-modal interactions. The multisensory response enhancements were either additive or superadditive; multisensory response depressions were also detected. CN and SN cells with facilitatory and inhibitory interactions were found in each multisensory combination. The strengths of the multisensory interactions did not differ in the two structures. A significant inverse correlation was found between the strengths of the best unimodal responses and the magnitudes of the multisensory response enhancements, i.e. the neurons with the weakest net unimodal responses exhibited the strongest enhancement effects. The onset latencies of the responses of the integrative CN and SN neurons to the multisensory stimuli were significantly shorter than those to the unimodal stimuli. These results provide evidence that the multisensory CN and SN neurons, similarly to those in the superior colliculus and related structures, have the ability to integrate multisensory information. Multisensory integration may help in the effective processing of sensory events and the changes in the environment during motor actions controlled by the basal ganglia.

Network Architecture of Gap Junction-Coupled Neuronal Linkage in the Striatum

“…Moreover, the double anterograde tracing studies have directly shown the presence of PV neurons that received inputs from different cortical regions (Bolam et al, 2000). Judging from the dense and homogeneous interconnectivity among coupled dendrites seen in the mENK-defined matrix of the posterior striatum and from the occurrence of multimodal sensory cells, it is conceivable that the intricate gap junction networks in this region is involved in the local integration of diverse information streams and might provide the anatomical substrate for cross-modal/submodal computations (Nagy et al, 2006). The anterior striatum was not equipped with so much gap junctional coupling, but it will be an intriguing issue how it is in the primate.…”

Exploring the extent and function of higher-order auditory cortex in rhesus monkeys

“…7A; Constantinidis et al, 2001), amygdala (Turner et al, 1980), lower bank of the intraparietal sulcus (area LIP; Fig. 7C; Mazzoni et al, 1996;Anderson, 1997), superior colliculus (Wallace et al, 1993), insula, and caudate nucleus (Nagy et al, 2006).…”

Dopaminergic contributions to distance estimation in Parkinson's disease: A sensory-perceptual deficit?

“…This thesis and any success I achieve is a testament to your hard work as loving parents. The basal ganglia (BG) are an important part of a complex neural network that processes and integrates various sensory inputs in order to produce and modulate motor outputs (Contreras-Vidal, 1999;Graziano & Gross, 1993;Houk & Wise, 1995;Nagy, Eordegh, Paroczy, Markus, & Benedek, 2006). Boecker and colleagues termed the BG a "sensory analyzer" engaged in central somatosensory control, suggesting interconnections between the cortex, BG and thalamus that make up an indirect BG-sensory loop (Boecker et al, 1999b).…”