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Chapter 4 GABAergic circuits of the striatum

1993; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0079-6123(08)61338-2

1875-7855

Hitoshi Kita,

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

The neostriatum contains a large number of neurons and terminals that contain y-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory transmitter. GABAergic inhibition has been thought to play a major role in regulating the neuronal activities of the striatum. This chapter discusses the studies on the GABAergic circuits and their functions in the striatum. First, it describes the anatomical organizations and then discusses the functional implications of GABAergic elements. The neostriatum contains many GABAergic neurons and GABAergic synaptic terminals, which are considered to be major elements in regulating the neuronal activities of the striatum. Anatomical and physiological studies indicate that GABAergic interneurons play a major role in the regulation of the firing activity of the spiny projection neurons through their feedforward connection. It is also suggested by anatomical studies that cholinergic and dopaminergic inputs affect the activity of GABAergic interneurons.