How could the basal ganglia control sleep?

Abstract

Disorders affecting basal ganglia function, such as Parkinson disease, are commonly associated with sleep disturbances, including insomnia. However, the involvement of the basal ganglia in sleep regulation and dysregulation has been largely unexplored. Components of the basal ganglia circuits, including the globus pallidus pars externa (GPe), may have a major role in sleep regulation. This has translational implications as these structures are potential targets of deep brain stimulation (DBS).