The basal ganglia are a group of deep grey matter nuclei that work in loops with the cortex and thalamus to select and regulate movement, habits and motivation. The core parts are the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus, functionally linked with the subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra. They act like a brake and accelerator system, letting wanted actions through and suppressing unwanted ones.
| Location | Deep within each cerebral hemisphere, lateral to the thalamus and around the internal capsule |
|---|---|
| Parts | |
| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Lenticulostriate arteries (middle cerebral artery); Recurrent artery of Heubner; Anterior choroidal artery |
Selects and starts wanted movements while suppressing unwanted ones, and supports habit learning, reward and motivation.
Basal ganglia disorders cause either too little movement (Parkinson disease, with slowness and rigidity) or too much movement (chorea, dystonia, ballism, tics). They are sensitive to hypoxia, carbon monoxide, copper overload in Wilson disease and manganese. Deep brain stimulation targets within this system, such as the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus, treat Parkinson disease and dystonia.
Loss of dopamine input from the substantia nigra to the striatum, causing tremor, rigidity and slowness.
An inherited degeneration of the caudate and putamen causing chorea, behavioural change and dementia.
Copper accumulation damaging the basal ganglia and liver, causing tremor, dystonia and psychiatric symptoms.
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