Basal Ganglia Mechanisms Mediating Experimental Dyskinesia in the Monkey

Abstract

Disordered function of the basal ganglia may lead to a wide spectrum of motor abnormalities, depending upon the nature of the precipitating factor. Thus, for example, destruction of the subthalamic nucleus produces hemiballismus, degeneration of the neostriatum induces chorea, and interruption of dopaminergic nigostriatal transmission gives rise to parkinsonism. The origin of abnormal activity in other conditions, such as athetosis and dystonia, remains speculative but almost certainly involves the basal ganglia, most likely the neostriatum.