Physiologic studies in the human brain in movement disorders

Physiologic studies are useful in identifying brain targets during functional neurosurgical procedures for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. These studies also open a window into the function and dysfunction in the basal ganglia. Recording of the activity of single neurons in the motor thalamus, the globus pallidus or the subthalamic nucleus with microelectrodes is providing important insights into the pathophysiology of parkinsonism and the mechanism of action of medical therapy and surgical interventions.