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Motor functions of the basal ganglia

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Summary

A study of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease can provide an indication of the motor functions of the basal ganglia. Basal-ganglia diseases affect voluntary movement and can cause involuntary movement. Deficits are often manifested during the coordination of fine multi-joint movements (e. g., handwriting). The disturbances of motor control (e.g. akinesia, bradykinesia) caused by basal-ganglia disorders are illustrated. Data suggest that the basal ganglia play an important role in the automatic execution of serially ordered complex movements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    J. G. Phillips & J. L. Bradshaw

  2. Neurology Department, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    R. Iansek

  3. Psychiatry Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    E. Chiu

Authors
  1. J. G. Phillips
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  2. J. L. Bradshaw
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  3. R. Iansek
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  4. E. Chiu
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Phillips, J.G., Bradshaw, J.L., Iansek, R. et al. Motor functions of the basal ganglia. Psychol. Res 55, 175–181 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00419650

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