Thalamic regulation of striatal acetylcholine efflux is both direct and indirect and qualitatively altered in the dopamine-depleted striatum

These results indicate a qualitative alteration in the effectiveness of an inhibitory component of the thalamic regulation of ACh efflux in the dopamine depleted striatum, evident during increased thalamostriatal input. Such altered regulation of striatal ACh output is likely to have profound consequences for integrative function in the parkinsonian basal ganglia.