This lesson takes a first look at the basal ganglia and their role in regulating activity of the brain's motor systems. It also introduces the role of dopamine as a "neuromodulator". Many of the insights into their function come from studies of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's and Huntington's, as well as from psychiatric disorders. Next week's lesson will complement this to take a closer look at the role of neuromodulators in action selection, mood and attention.
Materials
- Lecture slides (.pdf)
- Powerpoint slides (.pptx)
Lecture Videos
Click on the buttons to see videos of the Semester A 2018 lecture.
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Revision Aids
Here is another nice youtube video by the University of Utah which looks at the structures of the basal ganglia described in this lecture in great detail and will remind you of some of the functional points discussed in the lecture.