Neuropsychiatry of the basal ganglia

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;72(1):12-21. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.72.1.12.

Abstract

This review aims to relate recent findings describing the role and neural connectivity of the basal ganglia to the clinical neuropsychiatry of basal ganglia movement disorders and to the role of basal ganglia disturbances in "psychiatric"' states. Articles relating to the relevant topics were initially collected through MEDLINE and papers relating to the clinical conditions discussed were also reviewed. The anatomy and connections of the basal ganglia indicate that these structures are important links between parts of the brain that have classically been considered to be related to emotional functioning and brain regions previously considered to have largely motor functions. The basal ganglia have a role in the development and integration of psychomotor behaviours, involving motor functions, memory and attentional mechanisms, and reward processes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basal Ganglia / physiopathology*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnosis
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / psychology
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Movement Disorders / diagnosis
  • Movement Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Movement Disorders / psychology
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology