What are the basal ganglia?
Q: What are the basal ganglia?
A: The basal ganglia are three areas under the cerebral cortex that are vital to movement.
Q: What happens if there is damage in the basal ganglia?
A: Damage in the basal ganglia results in damaged ability to move.
Q: What are the three areas under the cerebral cortex that make up the basal ganglia?
A: The three areas are the striatum, pallidum (or globus pallidus), and substantia nigra.
Q: What range of behaviors are controlled by the nuclei in the basal ganglia?
A: The nuclei in the basal ganglia control voluntary motor control, learning procedures for routine behaviors or "habits", cognitive emotional functions, and motivation.
Q: What is the role of the basal ganglia in behavior switching?
A: The basal ganglia inhibit (suppress) a number of motor systems, and a release of this inhibition lets a motor system act. This "behavior switching" is influenced by signals from many parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex.
Q: What is the function of the prefrontal cortex in behavior switching?
A: The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in doing things and influences behavior switching by sending signals to the basal ganglia.
Q: What other parts of the brain influence behavior switching?
A: Signals from many parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, influence behavior switching.
