Striatal cholinergic interneurons exhibit compartment-specific anatomical and functional organization in the mouse

Striatal output is dynamically modulated by cholinergic interneurons (CINs), the primary source of acetylcholine in the striatum. CINs have been classically viewed as a random and homogeneous population, but recent evidence suggests heterogeneity in their anatomical and functional organization. Here, using systematic mapping and quantitative spatial analyses, we found that-contrary to current dogma-CINs exhibited striking enrichment and nonrandom clustering in the striosome compartment, particularly in the lateral striatum. Similar analyses carried out for parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing interneurons revealed that compartmental organization is interneuron specific. The strong "striosome preference"…

• BS
  Brain Science Foundation

  Award: 2021212
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Award: R01 NS104089