The basal ganglia: focused selection and inhibition of competing motor programs

JW Mink - Progress in neurobiology, 1996 - Elsevier
Progress in neurobiology, 1996Elsevier
The basal ganglia comprise several nuclei in the forebrain, diencephalon, and midbrain
thought to play a significant role in the control of posture and movement. It is well recognized
that people with degenerative diseases of the basal ganglia suffer from rigidly held
abnormal body postures, slowing of movement, involuntary movements, or a combination of
these abnormalities. However, it has not been agreed just what the basal ganglia contribute
to normal movement. Recent advances in knowledge of the basal ganglia circuitry, activity of …
The basal ganglia comprise several nuclei in the forebrain, diencephalon, and midbrain thought to play a significant role in the control of posture and movement. It is well recognized that people with degenerative diseases of the basal ganglia suffer from rigidly held abnormal body postures, slowing of movement, involuntary movements, or a combination of these abnormalities. However, it has not been agreed just what the basal ganglia contribute to normal movement. Recent advances in knowledge of the basal ganglia circuitry, activity of basal ganglia neurons during movement, and the effect of basal ganglia lesions have led to a new hypothesis of basal ganglia function. The hypothesis states that the basal ganglia do not generate movements. Instead, when voluntary movement is generated by cerebral cortical and cerebellar mechanisms, the basal ganglia act broadly to inhibit competing motor mechanisms that would otherwise interfere with the desired movement. Simultaneously, inhibition is removed focally from the desired motor mechanisms to allow that movement to proceed. Inability to inhibit competing motor programs results in slow movements, abnormal postures and involuntary muscle activity. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Elsevier