The Basal Ganglia and Motor Control

[摘要] This paper briefly reviews the functionalanatomy of the basal ganglia and theirrelationships with the thalamocortical system.The basal ganglia, including the striatum,pallidum, subthalamic nucleus, and substantianigra, are involved in a number of parallel,functionally segregated cortical-subcorticalcircuits. These circuits support a wide range ofsensorimotor, cognitive and emotional-motivational brain functions. A main role of thebasal ganglia is the learning and selection of themost appropriate motor or behavioralprograms. The internal functional organizationof the basal ganglia is very well suited for suchselection mechanisms, both in development andin adulthood. The question of whetherclumsiness may be, at least in part, attributedto dysfunction of the basal ganglia is discussedin the context of the differential, complementary,or interactive roles of the basalganglia and the cerebellum in the developmentof motor control.

[学科分类] 精神健康和精神病学