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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Sep 9.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Neurosci. 2023 Jun 19;26(7):1147–1159. doi: 10.1038/s41593-023-01368-7

Figure 1. Classic model and GPe-centric model of the basal ganglia.

Figure 1.

a. A simplified classic circuit diagram showing the key nodes within the basal ganglia; the circuit role of the GPe is often ignored. The dorsal striatum and subthalamic nucleus are the two input stations that receive excitatory cortical inputs; the substantia nigra pars reticulata is the output station that provides inhibitory projection to the thalamus. Dopamine exerts a broad influence over the entire basal ganglia circuit, especially the dorsal striatum. Size of the target areas (circles) is an artistic rendering based on the volume of the brain areas. b. The GPe sends inhibitory projections to all key structures within the circuit. Some of the connections are removed for illustration purposes to highlight the central role of the GPe within the basal ganglia.