Basal Ganglia & Injury

The basal ganglia are deep structures of the brain that guide several key body functions, including the initiation and control of everyday movements. Injuries to the basal ganglia have a number of common effects.

The Facts

• The basal ganglia consist of three paired structures in the brain: the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus, notes the University of Idaho. The putamen and caudate nucleus belong to a larger structure called the corpus striatum, while the globus pallidus and the putamen are sometimes referred to collectively as the lenticular nucleus.

Causes

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine cites potential causes of basal ganglia injury that include infection, head trauma, tumors, strokes, drug overdose, multiple sclerosis, liver disease and medication side effects.

Brain Disorders

• Certain brain disorders may also trigger or involve basal ganglia injury, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Examples include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, dystonia and progressive supranuclear palsy.

Effects

• In addition to movement and posture problems, basal ganglia injuries may cause problems with speech control, as well as thought processes including memory, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Considerations

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that some basal ganglia injuries produce reversible damage, while others may necessitate permanent ongoing treatment.