Specific and identifiable neural pathways are altered with particular functions during the different progressive stages of Parkinson's disease. Read More
Study reveals the globus pallidus plays a critical role in fear processing. Read More
Researchers use optogenetic based deep brain stimulation to help treat motor dysfunction in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The new technique provides insights into why DBS works and ways in which it can be improved on a patient-by-patient basis. Read More
Iron levels in the basal ganglia steadily increase throughout development and, in two sub-regions, continue to increase into adulthood. Decreased levels of iron in the putamen was correlated with impaired cognitive performance involving reasoning and spatial processing. Findings suggest the brain requires iron for healthy cognitive development. Read More
Different types of reward have unique effects on the basal ganglia nuclei. Food rewards influence the left hemisphere of the brain, while erotic rewards engage the right lateral globus and left caudate. Financial rewards engage the basal ganglia bilaterally. Read More
Obesity is associated with alterations in brain structure, including lower gray matter volume and smaller globus pallidus volume. Read More
Researchers have mapped the relationship of two types of neurons implicated in psychiatric and movement disorder. The findings could lead to new treatments for a range of disorders from depression to Parkinson's disease. Read More
A new study reports there is no evidence that gadolinium contrast material, commonly used for MRI scans, contributes to cognitive decline. Read More
Abnormal activity involving the globus pallidus may be responsible for movement dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, a new study reports. Read More
A new optogenetics study has revealed two groups of neurons that can be turned on and off to alleviate movement related symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Read More
A new study provides insight into the areas of the brain which become activated when people are presented with aversive foods and suggests the reward circuit may encode disgust. Read More
Researchers have discovered a neural circuit that processes evaluations and have identified its sources. Read More
