Synergistic influences of the striatum and the globus pallidus on postural and locomotor control

We have investigated the role of the globus pallidus in locomotor and postural control in a previously established animal model of striatal dysfunction. Striatal efferent activity was suppressed by intracerebral infusions of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeted to the messenger RNA of the proto-oncogene, c-fos. This suppression produced robust circling behavior and an atypical expression of c-fos in the ipsilateral globus pallidus following psychostimulant challenge. Simultaneous infusions of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides into both the caudate-putamen and the ipsilateral globus pallidus produced an approximate threefold increase in the intensity of rotation elicited by D-amphetamine. Excitotoxic lesioning of the globus pallidus produced marked postural asymmetry and circling behavior upon stimulation. The intensity of this rotational behavior was similar to that produced by dual infusions of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides into the caudate-putamen and the globus pallidus, and was not further potentiated by suppression of striatal c-fos expression. These results demonstrate the importance of the globus pallidus in postural and motor control, and suggest that activation of this nucleus through a reduction in striatopallidal inhibition may function to balance the output activity of the basal ganglia.