Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular organization of human and nonhuman primate basal ganglia.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Hewitt M, Turner M, Johansen N, McMillen D, Dan S, DeBerardine M, Ruiz A, Huang M, Quon J, Fu Y, Kapen I, Barta S, Martin N, Cuevas N, Olsen P, Nagra J, Campos J, VanNess M, Ransford S, Juneau Z, Hastings S, Ching L, Kunst M, Basu S, Höllt T, Li C, Lelieveldt B, Yazdani F, Zhang Q, Levandowski K, Feng G, Rosen B, Glasser M, Hayashi T, Garcia A, Kana O, Maltzer Z, Campagnola L, Jarsky T, Kruse L, Freiwald W, Keene C, Van Essen D, Ariza J, Waters J, Krienen F, Bakken T, Hodge R, Ng L, Zeng H, Lein E, Close J, Long B, Seeman S |
| Journal | Cell |
| Volume | 189 |
| Issue | 23 |
| Pagination | 7330-7349.e9 |
| Date Published | 11/12/2026 |
| ISSN | 1097-4172 |
| Keywords | Basal Ganglia, Transcriptome |
| Abstract | The basal ganglia (BG) are interconnected subcortical nuclei with a complex topographical organization that orchestrate goal-directed behaviors and are implicated in neurodegenerative movement disorders. We generated a cellular-resolution spatial transcriptomics atlas of the BG in human, rhesus macaque, and common marmoset, sampling over one million cells in each species. By integrating spatial data with a cross-species consensus single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) cell-type taxonomy, this atlas reveals principles of molecular organization within and across structures. Extensive spatial sampling across the rostral-caudal axis illuminates complex, yet highly stereotyped, multi-axis gene expression gradients superimposed onto discrete compartments of the striatum. Additionally, we identify core-shell organization of the internal globus pallidus. This unified, cross-species spatial transcriptomics atlas will be a foundational resource for characterizing the molecular and functional organization of the BG and their roles in health and disease. |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.cell.2026.10.023 |
| PubMed ID | 43020020 |