Basal Ganglia

Abstract

The core function of the basal ganglia is action selection, the process of choosing between mutually exclusive actions. Under baseline or default conditions, the basal ganglia suppress movement and prevent more than one movement from occurring simultaneously. The importance of chunking and operational learning is explored through exemplary typing tasks. Pathways through the basal ganglia employ the same input and output ports. Inputs far outnumber outputs from the basal ganglia. Subcortical loops through the basal ganglia are more effective than are cortical loops. The functions of the hyperdirect, direct and indirect pathways to motor control in the skeletomotor loop are detailed. Hemiballismus, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease are key basal ganglia disorders. The use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease is discussed. Finally, additional basal ganglia loops such as the oculomotor loop are introduced.