has soma location has soma location GABAergic neuron medium spiny neuron BTO:0004778 Medium spiny neurons, constituting the main type of neurons found in the striatum of the brain, are key players in various pathways that facilitate a multitude of cognitive functions. Projecting dendrites laden with spines, these cells are equipped to receive a wide range of synaptic input, mainly from the cerebral cortex and the thalamus. The "medium" and "spiny" descriptive parts of the name stem from the neurons' size, which is intermediate when compared to other neurons, and the presence of numerous spines on the dendrites, which serve as critical points for synaptic connections. The primary function of medium spiny neurons lies within motor control and reward pathways, which are fundamental aspects of the basal ganglia circuitry. They act by receiving and integrating various excitatory and inhibitory inputs to generate a resultant inhibitory output, generally towards other basal ganglia structures. This inhibitory output is crucial to the balance within the basal ganglia system, which regulates voluntary movements, habitual behaviors, and cognitive and emotional functionalities. The medium spiny neurons act through the use of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and express high levels of dopamine D1 or D2 receptors, which facilitate communication within the brain's dopamine system. Disruptions or malfunctions in medium spiny neurons have been associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders. For instance, in Huntington's disease, these neurons display a specific vulnerability, leading to motor control issues, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. Similarly, these neurons play critical roles in substance addiction, as the neurons' reward pathways can become sensitized or desensitized due to drug abuse. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) medium-sized densely spiny neuron striatal medium spiny neuron An inhibitory, GABAergic projection neuron in the striatum that integrates glutamatergic signals arising from the cerebral cortex and thalamus. https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001474 gamma-aminobutyric acid ergic spiny projection neuron Direct genetic lineage tracing in mice, including Dlx-based and Sp9-Cre fate mapping, demonstrates that medium spiny neurons (MSNs) originate from progenitors in the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE), with labeled cells migrating from LGE to the striatum and expressing MSN markers such as FOXP1 and CTIP2. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic spiny projection neuron lateral ganglionic eminence derived neuron Homo sapiens corpus striatum