The neural network of the basal ganglia as revealed by the study of synaptic connections of identified neurones

doi:10.1016/0166-2236(90)90106-K

Trends in Neurosciences

Volume 13, Issue 7, July 1990, Pages 259-265

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(90)90106-K Get rights and content

Abstract

The study of synaptic connections in the electron microscope has established an ‘elementary’ circuit for the neostriatum which consists of a pathway from cortical areas (neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala) to medium spiny neurones of the striatum that also receive converging synaptic input from midbrain dopamine neurones. The striatal medium spiny neurones are projection neurones and they form synaptic contacts with output neurones in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra reticulata. In this way, dopaminergic afferents can directly modulate the flow of information from cortical areas through the striatum to the ‘premotor’ areas of the brainstem and to the thalamus. It is proposed that certain parts of the striatum can themselves control the activity of midbrain dopamine neurones and so one part of the striatum can ‘gate’ the flow of information through another part.

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Citation Excerpt :
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Trends in Neurosciences

ReviewThe neural network of the basal ganglia as revealed by the study of synaptic connections of identified neurones

Abstract

Prog. Brain Res.

Trends Neurosci.

Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Brain Res. Rev.

Neuroscience

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Pharmacol Ther.

Annu. Rev. Neurosci.

Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. B

Review
The neural network of the basal ganglia as revealed by the study of synaptic connections of identified neurones