Striatal NMDA receptors gate cortico-pallidal synchronization in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

► Abnormal cortex-basal ganglia synchronization and striatal hyperactivity occur in parkinsonism. ► We ask whether these changes are related to each other. ► In parkinsonism striatal hyperactivity depends on tonic activation of NMDA receptor. ► Cortical-pallidal low frequency synchronization is striatal NMDA receptor dependent. ► Whereas “beta” synchronization depends on additional mechanisms.