# Novel Glycinergic Circuitry in the Basal Ganglia

> **NIH NIH SC1** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO · 2020 · $367,300

## Abstract

The CNS utilize GABA and glycine as the two main inhibitory neurotransmitters to modulate
neuronal excitability and regulate many functions of the human body. Although the location and
function of GABA neurons is relatively well studied, the anatomical location of glycinergic
neurons remains poorly-defined. In this study, we are interested in the basal ganglia, a brain
area that regulate initiation of motor movements and responses that involves cognitive functions
such as emotion, vision, some forms of memory and is heavily affected in drug addiction.
Among the different structures of the basal ganglia, the GP is enriched in GABAergic nerve
terminals that regulate voluntary locomotor activity via the striatopallidal pathway and
connections with the thalamus and apparently devoid of glycinergic inputs. In the present study,
we use several genetic and biochemical approaches to demonstrate the presence of glycinergic
neurons within the basal ganglia. Our data provide evidence of a novel inhibitory glycinergic
circuit, where the cell bodies are localized to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and
projections moving along the medial forebrain bundle to finally innervate GP. These glycinergic
neurons showed immune-reactivity for GAD67 and NeuN, suggesting a dual GABA/Glycine
phenotype. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology analysis
demonstrate the presence of the glycine receptor in the GP and confirm the inhibitory nature on
these synapses. This application will reveal the role of these nigropallidal glycinergic fibers in
the control of specific basal-ganglia regulated behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9855940
- **Project number:** 1SC1NS119056-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO
- **Principal Investigator:** Manuel Miranda-Arango
- **Activity code:** SC1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $367,300
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9855940

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9855940, Novel Glycinergic Circuitry in the Basal Ganglia (1SC1NS119056-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9855940. Licensed CC0.

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