NMDA receptors in the basal ganglia

The basal ganglia consist of several interconnected nuclei located in the telecephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon that are involved in a variety of motor and non-motor behavioural functions. Glutamate receptors play a major role in neurotransmission within the basal ganglia and are present in all nuclei of the basal ganglia. This review focuses on the contribution of the NMDA class of glutamatergic receptors to various movement disorders whose primary pathology lies within the basal ganglia and discusses how pharmacological manipulation of such receptors may be therapeutically useful.