Astrocyte activities in the external globus pallidus regulate action-selection strategies in reward-seeking behaviors

Sci Adv. 2023 Jun 16;9(24):eadh9239. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9239. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Abstract

An imbalance in goal-directed and habitual behavioral control is a hallmark of decision-making-related disorders, including addiction. Although external globus pallidus (GPe) is critical for action selection, which harbors enriched astrocytes, the role of GPe astrocytes involved in action-selection strategies remained unknown. Using in vivo calcium signaling with fiber photometry, we found substantially attenuated GPe astrocytic activity during habitual learning compared to goal-directed learning. The support vector machine analysis predicted the behavioral outcomes. Chemogenetic activation of the astrocytes or inhibition of GPe pan-neuronal activities facilitates the transition from habit to goal-directed reward-seeking behavior. Next, we found increased astrocyte-specific GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) transporter type 3 (GAT3) messenger RNA expression during habit learning. Notably, the pharmacological inhibition of GAT3 occluded astrocyte activation-induced transition from habitual to goal-directed behavior. On the other hand, attentional stimuli shifted the habit to goal-directed behaviors. Our findings suggest that the GPe astrocytes regulate the action selection strategy and behavioral flexibility.

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytes*
  • Globus Pallidus* / physiology
  • Learning / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Reward