Single nucleus expression atlas of the striatum and pallidum during human brain development

The basal ganglia play a central role in motor control, habit formation, emotion regulation, learning, and cognition. Disruption in these structures can lead to a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including movement disorders (e.g., dystonia), developmental syndromes (e.g., FOXG1 syndrome), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Huntington's chorea), and psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia). Mutations in individual genes (e.g. NKX2.1, TOR1A) can profoundly impair basal ganglia circuitry. To understand the underlying pathophysiology and to develop targeted therapies, it is essential to identify the specific developmental time windows and cell types in which these genes are expressed. This knowledge can help define therapeutic windows and enable cell type-specific (gene) therapies. In this context, our study provides a comprehensive single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of the Striatum and Pallidum across pre- and postnatal human brain development. This resource is intended to support the development of effective therapies for children affected by pediatric movement disorders.