Title: Quantitative Analysis of Roles of Direct and Indirect Pathways for Action Selection in The Basal Ganglia

Abstract: The basal ganglia (BG) show diverse functions for motor and cognition. Here, we are concerned about action selection performed by the BG. Particularly, we make quantitative analysis of roles of direct pathway (DP) and indirect pathway (IP) for action selection in a spiking neural network with 3 competing channels. For such quantitative work, in each channel, we get the competition degree ${\cal C}_d$, given by the ratio of strength of DP (${\cal S}_{DP}$) to strength of IP (${\cal S}_{IP}$) (i.e., ${\cal C}_d = {\cal S}_{DP} / {\cal S}_{IP}$). Then, desired action is selected in the channel with the largest ${\cal C}_d$. Desired action selection is made mainly due to strong focused inhibitory projection to the output nucleus, SNr (substantia nigra pars reticulata) via the "Go" DP in the corresponding channel. Unlike the case of DP, there are two types of IPs; intra-channel IP and inter-channel IP, due to widespread diffusive excitation from the STN (subthalamic nucleus). The intra-channel "No-Go" IP plays a role of brake to suppress the desired action selection. On the other hand, the inter-channel IP to the SNr in the neighboring channels suppresses competing actions, leading to spotlight the desired action selection. In this way, role of the inter-channel IP is opposite to that of the intra-channel IP. But, to the best of our knowledge, no quantitative analysis for such roles of the DP and the two IPs was made. Here, by direct calculations of the DP and the intra- and the inter-channel IP presynaptic currents into the SNr in each channel, we get the competition degree of each channel to determine a desired action, and then roles of the DP and the intra- and inter-channel IPs are quantitatively made clear.