The nigrostriatal pathway carries dopamine from the substantia nigra pars compacta in the midbrain to the striatum (caudate and putamen). It is essential for normal, smooth voluntary movement.
| Location | From the substantia nigra through the internal capsule area to the caudate nucleus and putamen |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Posterior cerebral artery branches; Lenticulostriate arteries |
Supplies dopamine that facilitates wanted movements and suppresses unwanted ones via the basal ganglia.
Loss of this pathway causes Parkinson disease, with slowness, stiffness and tremor appearing after most nigral neurons are lost. Levodopa replaces the missing dopamine. Antipsychotic drugs that block dopamine here can cause drug-induced parkinsonism.
Degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons causing slowness, rigidity and rest tremor.
Parkinson-like symptoms from dopamine-blocking drugs.
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