
The role of opponent basal ganglia outputs in behavior
This review is an attempt to explain the role of basal ganglia (BG) outputs in generating movements. Recent work showed that opponent outputs from the BG represent instantaneous body position coordinates during behavior. On the other hand, projection neurons in the striatum, the major input nucleus, as well as dopaminergic neurons that form the nigrostriatal pathway, can represent movement velocity. To explain these findings, a new model is proposed, in which the BG implement the level of transition control in an extended control hierarchy. BG outputs represent descending reference signals that command diverse lower-level position controllers. This model not only explains major neurological symptoms but also makes quantitative and testable predictions.
Duke Scholars
Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- 3209 Neurosciences
- 3202 Clinical sciences
- 1702 Cognitive Sciences
- 1109 Neurosciences
- 1103 Clinical Sciences
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- 3209 Neurosciences
- 3202 Clinical sciences
- 1702 Cognitive Sciences
- 1109 Neurosciences
- 1103 Clinical Sciences