The subthalamus is the region of the diencephalon below the thalamus and lateral to the hypothalamus, sitting directly above the midbrain. It contains the subthalamic nucleus, the zona incerta and bundles of fibres running between the basal ganglia and thalamus. It is mainly concerned with control of movement.
| Location | Ventral diencephalon, below the thalamus, medial to the internal capsule and above the substantia nigra |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections | |
| Blood Supply | Posterior communicating artery perforators; Anterior choroidal artery; Posterior cerebral artery perforators |
Forms part of the basal ganglia motor circuit that helps select wanted movements and suppress unwanted ones.
A stroke of the subthalamic nucleus causes hemiballismus, violent flinging movements of the opposite arm and leg. The subthalamic nucleus and the nearby zona incerta are major deep brain stimulation targets for Parkinson disease, reducing tremor, rigidity and slowness.
Large, involuntary flinging movements of one side of the body caused by a lesion, usually a small stroke, of the opposite subthalamic nucleus.
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic region is a standard treatment for advanced Parkinson disease with motor fluctuations.
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