Basal Ganglia Facts

The basal ganglia, located deep in the brain, play an important role in motor control. Brain damage or physical conditions which alter the basal ganglia can have a profound effect on a person’s movement.

Location

• According to the Washington University School of Medicine the basal ganglia, a group of nuclei, lie deep in the cerebral cortex in the brain.

What The Basal Ganglia Controls

• The basal ganglia controls a person’s coordination and moment-to-moment movements.

Causes of Dysfunction

• Any damage to the brain may affect the function of the basal ganglia, including an accident, such as head injury or drug overdose, according to the Medline Plus website. Physical conditions, such as infection, multiple sclerosis, stroke or tumor can affect the basal ganglia, as can some medication side effects.

Brain Disorders

• Some brain disorders are associated with basal ganglia dysfunction, including dystonia (uncontrolled or slow movements), and Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (in which nerve cells in the brain waste away or are destroyed).

Symptoms of Dysfunction

• Any malfunction of the basal ganglia cells can affect a person’s speech, movement and posture. An affected person may have trouble beginning, continuing or stopping movement, and may also have memory loss or problems finding words.