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Basal ganglia--input, neural activity, and relation to the cortex.
1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Recent research on basal ganglia physiology and gene regulation in the striatum deepens our understanding of motor control. New findings on dopamine receptors offer novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Recent advancements in basal ganglia physiology and anatomy have intensified the debate on higher-level motor system control.
- Studies highlight the impact of behaviorally significant drugs on striatal gene regulation, affecting neurotransmitter levels and transcription factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize recent findings on basal ganglia function and gene regulation.
- To explore the implications of dopamine receptor subtype cloning and neurotrophic effects for neurological research and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on basal ganglia physiology, anatomy, and gene regulation.
- Analysis of studies on dopamine receptor subtypes and their effects on nigrostriatal cells.
Main Results:
- New insights into the role of higher motor system levels in movement control.
- Evidence of drug-induced changes in striatal transmitter levels and gene expression.
- Identification of neurotropic and neuroprotective effects on nigrostriatal cells.
Conclusions:
- The findings necessitate a re-evaluation of motor control mechanisms within the central nervous system.
- Understanding gene regulation in the striatum is crucial for deciphering drug actions.
- Dopamine receptor research opens new avenues for treating movement disorders and neurodegeneration.