Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia consists of masses of subcortical grey matter deep within the cerebral hemispheres. Along with the cerebellum, the basal ganglia controls movement and posture, adjusting the body to do certain things, as well as inhibits unwanted movement. Lesions in the basal ganglia cause disturbances in motor activity. Information is sent from the motor cortex to the basal ganglia and is relayed back via the thalamus. Recent studies suggest that the basal ganglia contains five segregated circuits for different functions of behavior. Each involves separate regions within the basal ganglia and the thalamus.