Kavli Affiliate: Rui Costa and Darcy Peterka
| Authors: nes Rodrigues-Vaz, Vivek R. Athalye, Helio F. M. Rodrigues, Darcy S. Peterka and Rui M. Costa
| Summary:
The striatum is classically thought to modulate action vigor and reinforcement, but whether it specifies and controls ongoing actions at a fine scale remains unclear. Here, we test whether striatal activity can resolve and control actions as granular as distinct patterns of muscle co-contraction within the same limb. We developed a closed-loop system combining two-photon imaging and holographic optogenetics to identify and manipulate action-specific striatal ensembles in real time. Mice performed isometric push or pull actions engaging the same forelimb muscles with different activation patterns. Ensembles of both D1- and D2-spiny projection neurons encoded action identity with equal fidelity. Causal stimulation of small ensembles biased ongoing force, but only when the ensembles encoded the ongoing action. These results show that the striatum specifies and controls ongoing actions in real time at a previously unappreciated granularity, redefining its role in motor control. Competing Interest Statement DSP is listed as an inventor of the following patent: “Devices, apparatus and method for providing photostimulation and imaging of structures” (United States Patent 9846313). He also receives income as a consultant to the Bruker Corporation related to the above patent. IR-V, VRA, HFMR, and RMC declare no competing interests.