Striatum
Recent articles
Newly characterized striatal circuits add twist to ‘go/no-go’ model of movement control
The two novel pathways control dopamine release in opposing ways and may link motivation and mood to action, a new study shows.
![Research image of circuits emerging from striosomes in the striatum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-basal-ganglia-pathways-1024x683.png)
Newly characterized striatal circuits add twist to ‘go/no-go’ model of movement control
The two novel pathways control dopamine release in opposing ways and may link motivation and mood to action, a new study shows.
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
![Illustration of cranes attempting to assemble a structure out of very small black squares.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RPE-1200-1024x692.webp)
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
![Research image of neurons in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-striatum-signaling-repetitive-behaviors-autism.png)
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
![Research image of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-lede-foxp2-autism.png)
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
Autism’s ties to the cell skeleton
Many genes related to the condition play a role in the internal scaffolding of cells, and cytoskeletal disruptions can affect neurodevelopment and behavior.
Autism’s ties to the cell skeleton
Many genes related to the condition play a role in the internal scaffolding of cells, and cytoskeletal disruptions can affect neurodevelopment and behavior.
One-rosette technique grows well-organized organoids
The method yields complex organoids that more closely mimic embryonic brain development than do those cultured in other ways.
![Composite image of inhibitory and excitatory neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-telencephalic-development-model-autism-toolbox.png)
One-rosette technique grows well-organized organoids
The method yields complex organoids that more closely mimic embryonic brain development than do those cultured in other ways.
Double SHANK knockout highlights brain circuit’s social role
Mice missing the autism-linked SHANK2 and SHANK3 genes in their retrosplenial cortex have trouble distinguishing between novel and familiar mice.
![Mouse brain slices showing the effects of SHANK2 and SHANK3 deletions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/844-shank2_3-double-knockout-autism.png)
Double SHANK knockout highlights brain circuit’s social role
Mice missing the autism-linked SHANK2 and SHANK3 genes in their retrosplenial cortex have trouble distinguishing between novel and familiar mice.
Two groups of neurons govern autism-like traits in model mice
Together, the neurons are part of the corticostriatal circuit, which has been implicated in autism.
![Micrographs comparing mouse striatal neurons missing TSHZ3 and wildtype striatal neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_TargetedTSHZ3.jpg)
Two groups of neurons govern autism-like traits in model mice
Together, the neurons are part of the corticostriatal circuit, which has been implicated in autism.
Unfamiliar surroundings bring out autism-like behaviors, brain circuit changes in model mice
A brain area called the tail of the striatum may account for the shift.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/844_absence.jpg)
Unfamiliar surroundings bring out autism-like behaviors, brain circuit changes in model mice
A brain area called the tail of the striatum may account for the shift.
Loss of autism-linked gene alters synapse development in mice
Mice missing a copy of the gene ASH1L have excess synapses and autism-like behavioral differences, some of which are reversed by boosting an ASH1L-regulated gene.
![grid of 12 views of mouse neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/844_Fig3.jpg)
Loss of autism-linked gene alters synapse development in mice
Mice missing a copy of the gene ASH1L have excess synapses and autism-like behavioral differences, some of which are reversed by boosting an ASH1L-regulated gene.
Explore more from The Transmitter
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.
![Image of squirrels on a branch.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NeuroAI-Agency-Zador-1200-1024x692.png)
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.
Plaque levels differ in popular Alzheimer’s mouse model depending on which parent’s variants are passed down
5XFAD model mice that inherit two disease-related genes from their fathers have double the plaques seen in those with maternal inheritance, a new study shows.
Plaque levels differ in popular Alzheimer’s mouse model depending on which parent’s variants are passed down
5XFAD model mice that inherit two disease-related genes from their fathers have double the plaques seen in those with maternal inheritance, a new study shows.
‘Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, investigative journalist Charles Piller tells the story of the scientific misconduct that shook Alzheimer’s disease research to its core, and the neuroscientist who helped to expose it.
![The word Doctored spelled out on pills.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Pillar-Doctored-1200V2-1024x692.png)
‘Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, investigative journalist Charles Piller tells the story of the scientific misconduct that shook Alzheimer’s disease research to its core, and the neuroscientist who helped to expose it.