The Basal Ganglia / Innovations in Cognitive Neuroscience (PDF)

This text presents the contemporary understanding of the basal ganglia.  In a groundbreaking synthesis, diverse research perspectives grounded in neuroscience and neurobiology are bought together to reflect an integrated understanding of these deep brain structures.  The volume clarifies and broadens perspectives of the basal ganglia that have over the past few decades extended its functional-anatomic roles far beyond motor-centered models.  Contributions to the volume from leading basal ganglia researchers altogether relate the neural architecture and functional circuitry of the basal ganglia, its interactions with other major systems of the brain, its neurotransmitter and signaling mechanisms, its role in multiple cognitive and behavioral domains and in various neurocognitive, neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.  Many of the novel research techniques that have helped reveal the complex neural architecture and functional diversity of the basal ganglia are also given view.

Topics included in the coverage:

•         Limbic, motor and thalamic basal ganglia circuits; parallel, direct and indirect systems
  
•         Dopamine and its actions in the basal ganglia system
  
•         Signaling mechanisms and l-Dopa-induced dyskinesia
  
•         Controlled and automatic processing
  
•         Cerebellar-basal ganglia, cortical striatal, and cognitive motor interactions
  
•         Role of the basal ganglia in associative learning, language and perception
  
•         Motivation, reinforcement and decision making in neuropsychiatric disorders
  
•         Computational models including hierarchical control in voluntary behavior

The diversity of themes and depth of scholarship make for a volume relevant to researchers and clinical practitioners - in neuroscience, neurology, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, and speech-language pathology.