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Read moreINSTRUMENTAL LEARNING | AGEING
Restoring goal-direction encoding in aged striatal circuits.
Bertran-Gonzalez J, Dinale C & Matamales M (2023) Current Biology
We found that D1- and D2-neurons of the aged striatum present a counterbalanced plasticity that promotes autonomous —habit-like—behaviours. Targeting the cellular state of D2-neurons invigorates goal-directed action.
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Read moreMEMORY UPDATING | EXTINCTION
A binary mosaic in the striatum to reshape goal-directed learning
Matamales M, McGovern AE, Mi JD, Mazzone SB, Balleine BW & Bertran-Gonzalez J (2020) Science
In this study we uncover previously unrecognised large-scale interactions between D1- and D2- neurons within functionally relevant striatal territories, that are critical to reshape volitional action.
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Read moreSEQUENCE LEARNING | AGEING
Strategies of the aged brain to produce action sequences
Matamales M, Skrbis Z, Bailey MR, Balsam PD, Balleine BW, Götz J & Bertran-Gonzalez J (2017) eLife
Detailed analysis of the acquisition of a skilled behaviour revealed that age introduces temporal limits to action automaticity. An action-related feedback cue temporarily restored normal sequence structure.
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Read moreINTERNEURONS | QUANTITIVE IMAGING
Whole map reconstruction of the striatal cholinergic population
Matamales M, Götz J & Bertran-Gonzalez J (2016) PLoS ONE
We mapped and digitally reconstructed the entire population of cholinergic interneurons in the mouse striatum and discovered functional territory-dependent differences in distribution and neuronal activity.
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Read moreREVERSAL LEARNING | AGEING
Why older individuals struggle to adapt to change?
Matamales M*, Skrbis Z*, Hatch RJ, Balleine BW, Götz J & Bertran-Gonzalez J (2016) Neuron
We found that age-related decline in the thalamic-to-striatal pathway impairs the ability of mice to adjust to environmental changes in goal-directed learning tasks. Cholinergic interneurons play a critical role in this process.
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Read moreNEURONAL SUBPOPULATIONS | DRUGS
Patterns of activation in striatal neurons by cocaine and haloperidol
Bertran-Gonzalez J, Bosch C, Maroteaux M, Matamales M, Hervé D, Valjent E & Girault JA (2008) JNeurosci
We demonstrated the existence of a complete segregation between the striatonigral and striatopallidal circuits within the striatum in response to pharmacological stimuli using BAC-EGFP transgenic mice.
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Read moreCELL SIGNALLING | DOPAMINE
A novel mechanism by which dopamine alters chromatin in neurons
Stipanovich A*, Valjent E*, Matamales M* […] Greengard P, Hervé D & Giratul JA (2008) Nature
We discovered that the dopamine-dependent regulated accumulation in the nucleus of a protein phosphatase inhibitor is key to encode drug and natural rewarding stimuli in striatal neurons.
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Read moreSTRIATAL NEURONS | NEUROANATOMY
Nuclear architecture diversity in the mouse striatum
Matamales M*, Bertran-Gonzalez J* […] Valjent E, Hervé D & Girault JA (2009) PLoS ONE
We showed that nuclear stain could distinguish the different neuronal populations of the striatum. We used this technique to precisely analyse BAC-transgenic lines for their application in neuroscience research.