Direct pathway of movement

The striatummodulates movement by two pathways: a direct pathway and an indirect pathway.

In the direct pathway, striatal neuronsdirectly inhibit neurons in the globus pallidus internus, which in turn inhibit thalamicneurons responsible for excitation of the premotor cortex.

Thus, the direct pathway facilitates movement, and anything inhibiting it (e.g. Parkinson's disease) causes akinesia.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct+pathway+of+movement Wikipedia article Direct pathway of movement.