Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Indirect Motor Pathways

Indirect Motor Pathways

The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Cortistatin as a modulator of inflammatory and mitochondrial dysfunction in Huntington´s disease.

Journal of neuroinflammation·2026

Same author

Natural history and outcomes of early aortic valve replacement versus conservative management in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: A meta-analysis.

The American journal of medicine·2026

Same author

G-quadruplexes as antimicrobial targets.

Drug discovery today·2026

Same author

Movement-related increases in subthalamic activity optimize locomotion.

Cell reports·2025

Same author

Extending Thioflavin T Fluorescence Probe to 2-Ethenyl-benzothiazole Derivatives: Drug-like Quadruplex Ligands with Potent Antitrypanosomatid Activity.

ACS infectious diseases·2025

Same author

Beyond antiparasitic activity: elucidating the antibacterial potency of pyrvinium pamoate.

Microbiology spectrum·2025

Same journal

Jagged1<sup>+</sup> Tregs mediate lymphatic remodeling in tumor-draining lymph nodes.

Cell reports·2026

Same journal

Combining genotoxic gut bacterial strains increases tumor burden and accelerates onset in a germ-free mouse model of colon carcinogenesis.

Cell reports·2026

Same journal

Striatal neuron dysfunction in C9ORF72-FTD/ALS is driven by AIS and potassium channel dysregulation.

Cell reports·2026

Same journal

Lectins of the Emp47/ERGIC-53 family target misfolded O-mannosylated ER proteins to ER-associated degradation.

Cell reports·2026

Same journal

Single-nucleotide RNA m<sup>6</sup>A mapping in bovine preimplantation development reveals site-specific regulation of RPL12 at zygotic genome activation.

Cell reports·2026

Same journal

M4-ipRGCs regulate contrast sensitivity in vision.

Cell reports·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2025

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

Published on: May 31, 2016

Movement-related increases in subthalamic activity optimize locomotion.

Joshua W Callahan¹, Juan Carlos Morales¹, Jeremy F Atherton¹

¹Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

|July 28, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) normally increases activity during locomotion, contrary to its traditional role. This STN activity is crucial for maintaining normal walking speed and duration.

Keywords:

CP: Neuroscience Huntington’s disease Parkinson’s disease action execution basal ganglia deep brain stimulation gait hyperdirect pathway indirect pathway motor control neuromodulation

More Related Videos

Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Published on: January 6, 2011

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

Published on: November 22, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2025

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

Published on: May 31, 2016

Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Published on: January 6, 2011

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

Published on: November 22, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Basal Ganglia Function

Background:

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is traditionally viewed as a movement suppressor.
Contradictory evidence shows STN neuronal firing increases with movement, posing a paradox.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of STN activity during locomotion.
To resolve the paradox between STN's inhibitory reputation and its observed pro-movement firing patterns.

Main Methods:

Recorded STN neural activity in mice during rest and treadmill locomotion.
Manipulated STN activity using optogenetics.
Examined STN function in a mouse model of Huntington's disease (Q175 mice).

Main Results:

Most STN neurons (type 1) showed increased activity during locomotion, with some firing during the propulsive phase.
Inhibition of the lateral STN impaired locomotion, causing slowing and termination.
Huntington's disease mice exhibited reduced type 1 STN activity, correlating with abnormal locomotion.

Conclusions:

Locomotion-dependent STN activity is essential for optimal locomotor performance.
The STN's role in movement is more complex than previously understood, involving pro-movement functions.
Dysfunction in STN-mediated locomotion may contribute to motor deficits in Huntington's disease.