- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Main Features of Structure and Function
- 1 Structure of the Neuron and Organization of Nervous Tissue
- 2 Glia
- 3 Neuronal Excitability
- 4 Synaptic Function
- 5 Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors
- 6 Parts of the Nervous System
- 7 The Coverings of the Brain and the Ventricular System
- 8 The Blood Supply of the CNS
- Part Two Development, Aging, and Plasticity
- 9 Prenatal and Postnatal Development
- 10 The Nervous System and Aging
- 11 Restitution of Function after Brain Damage
- Part Three Sensory Systems
- 12 Sensory Receptors in General
- 13 Peripheral Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 14 Central Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 15 Pain
- 16 The Visual System
- 17 The Auditory System
- 18 The Sense of Equilibrium
- 19 Olfaction and Taste
- Part Four Motor Systems
- 20 Motor Systems and Movements in General
- 21 The Peripheral Motor Neurons and Reflexes
- 22 The Motor Cortical Areas and Descending Pathways
- 23 The Basal Ganglia
- 24 The Cerebellum
- 25 Control of Eye Movements
- Part Five The Brain Stem and the Cranial Nerves
- 26 The Reticular Formation: Premotor Networks, Consciousness, and Sleep
- 27 The Cranial Nerves
- Part Six The Autonomic Nervous System
- 28 Visceral Efferent Neurons: The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions
- 29 Sensory Visceral Neurons and Visceral Reflexes
- 30 The Central Autonomic System: The Hypothalamus
- Part Seven Limbic Structures
- 31 The Amygdala and Other Neuronal Groups with Relation to Emotions
- 32 The Hippocampal Formation: Learning and Memory
- Part Eight The Cerebral Cortex
- 33 The Cerebral Cortex: Intrinsic Organization and Connections
- 34 Functions of the Neocortex
- Literature
- Index
(p. 378) The Basal Ganglia
- Chapter:
- (p. 378) The Basal Ganglia
- Author(s):
Per Brodal
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780190228958.003.0023
Chapter 23 deals with the basal ganglia and their role in motor control and cognition. They are intercalated in a loop from the cerebral cortex and back via the thalamus. The striatum is the receiving part, dominated by glutamatergic afferents from the cortex and dopaminergic input from the substantia nigra. Striatal GABAergic neurons send their axons to the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra. These nuclei send their GABAergic efferents to the thalamus and brain stem. From the thalamus, excitatory connections reach motor and prefrontal parts of the cortex. The striatothalamic pathway contains two inhibitory neurons in a row, evoking disinhibition. In this way the basal ganglia may facilitate switching from one movement or mental task to another. The basal ganglia also support learning of automatic movements and contribute to cognitive functions. The ventralmost parts of the basal ganglia are involved in control of motivation and emotions.
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- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Main Features of Structure and Function
- 1 Structure of the Neuron and Organization of Nervous Tissue
- 2 Glia
- 3 Neuronal Excitability
- 4 Synaptic Function
- 5 Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors
- 6 Parts of the Nervous System
- 7 The Coverings of the Brain and the Ventricular System
- 8 The Blood Supply of the CNS
- Part Two Development, Aging, and Plasticity
- 9 Prenatal and Postnatal Development
- 10 The Nervous System and Aging
- 11 Restitution of Function after Brain Damage
- Part Three Sensory Systems
- 12 Sensory Receptors in General
- 13 Peripheral Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 14 Central Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 15 Pain
- 16 The Visual System
- 17 The Auditory System
- 18 The Sense of Equilibrium
- 19 Olfaction and Taste
- Part Four Motor Systems
- 20 Motor Systems and Movements in General
- 21 The Peripheral Motor Neurons and Reflexes
- 22 The Motor Cortical Areas and Descending Pathways
- 23 The Basal Ganglia
- 24 The Cerebellum
- 25 Control of Eye Movements
- Part Five The Brain Stem and the Cranial Nerves
- 26 The Reticular Formation: Premotor Networks, Consciousness, and Sleep
- 27 The Cranial Nerves
- Part Six The Autonomic Nervous System
- 28 Visceral Efferent Neurons: The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions
- 29 Sensory Visceral Neurons and Visceral Reflexes
- 30 The Central Autonomic System: The Hypothalamus
- Part Seven Limbic Structures
- 31 The Amygdala and Other Neuronal Groups with Relation to Emotions
- 32 The Hippocampal Formation: Learning and Memory
- Part Eight The Cerebral Cortex
- 33 The Cerebral Cortex: Intrinsic Organization and Connections
- 34 Functions of the Neocortex
- Literature
- Index
