Decoding auditory cognition: Unraveling the corticostriatal-SNr circuit’s role in frequency discrimination accuracy
The anterior auditory field (AAF) is critical for auditory discrimination, though underlying neural pathways remain unclear. Using viral tracing, optogenetics/pharmacogenetics, and behavior, we investigated the corticostriatal-substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) circuit's role in frequency discrimination. AAF excitatory neurons, synapsing on caudate putamen (CPu) GABAergic neurons, were highly active during tasks. Pharmacogenetic suppression of AAF→CPu<sup>GABA</sup> projections impaired discrimination performance. We further identified an AAF→CPu D1-medium spiny neuron (MSN) pathway regulating discrimination; its pharmacogenetic/optogenetic inhibition caused deficits. Histology confirmed CPu<sup>D1</sup>→SNr projections. Critically, suppressing/ablating AAF→CPu→SNr circuit neurons severely disrupted accuracy. Fiber photometry revealed SNr<sup>GABA</sup> neuron activation during tasks. Together, AAF→CPu<sup>D1</sup> projections and the AAF→CPu→SNr circuit are pivotal for frequency discrimination, advancing mechanistic insights into auditory processing circuits.
Authors
- Zhao-Qun Wang
- Ying Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7412-1727)
- Peng-Hui Chen
- Yandong Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8661-0229)
- Tiantian Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1895-190X)
- Tong Zhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9845-004X)
- Huizhong Wen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5590-4275)
- Guangyan Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-9511)
- Yun-Xiao Lou
Institutions
- Army Medical University (CN)
- The Affiliated Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CN)
- Southwest Hospital (CN)
- Chongqing Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- iScience
- Published
- 2025-11-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.114184
- Primary Topic
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00