Physiology and pathophysiology of basalganglia: Impact on motor system function

Non-pyramidal muscular initiation by/of basalganglia differs from pyramidal, central, and spinal motor system regulation, but their synergistic cooperation increases the efficiency of central muscular motor functions. Corticostriatal pathways of neurons from motor areas in cortex excite by glutamate striatal GABA(gamma-aminobutyric acid)ergic neurons via their receptors, causing the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Over direct and indirect projections GABAergic impulses reach several nuclei of basalganglia, while GABAergic impact is modulated by dopamine (DA) through inhibitory or excitatory DA receptor subtypes. Adequate DA release from nigrostriatal pathways of DAergic neurons of substantia nigra is essential for well adjusted propagation to motor exits of basalganglia. From basalganglia exit projections are forwarded to motor nuclei of thalamus whose basal activity can be attenuated by inhibition or increased by disinhibition. Impulses are projected from thalamus to motor areas in corte...