Dopaminergic modulation of striatal networks in health and Parkinson's disease

• Spiny projection neurons do not just differ in their expression of dopamine receptors.
• The signaling mechanisms controlling synaptic plasticity are diverse.
• Cholinergic interneurons play an unexpected role in dopamine release.
• Aberrant synaptic plasticity is central to levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

In the last couple of years, there have been significant advances in our understanding of how dopamine modulates striatal circuits underlying goal-directed behaviors and how therapeutic interventions intended to normalize disordered dopaminergic signaling can go awry. This review summarizes some of the advances in this field with a translational focus on Parkinson's disease.