Functions of the cortico-subthalamo-pallidal pathway

研究了皮质-下丘脑-苍白球“超直接”通路的功能意义，并提出了控制肢体自由运动的基底节功能的动态“中心-周围模型”。当一个自愿的运动即将由皮质机制启动时，通过“超直接”通路传递的必然信号首先抑制丘脑和大脑皮层的大片区域，这两个区域既与选定的运动程序有关，也与其他相互竞争的程序有关。然后，另一个通过皮质-纹状体-苍白球“直接”通路的必然信号解除了它们的靶标，只释放了选定的运动程序。基于这一模型，帕金森病中观察到的运动障碍可以更好地解释为丘脑和皮质通过空间和时间域的“直接”途径减少抑制。丘脑下部损伤后运动障碍的改善也可以通过恢复丘脑和皮质的去抑制来理解。

The functional significance of the cortico-subthalamo-pallidal "hyperdirect" pathway has been investigated, and a dynamic "center-surround model" of basal ganglia function in the control of voluntary limb movements has been suggested. When a voluntary movement is about to be initiated by cortical mechanisms, a corollary signal conveyed through the "hyperdirect" pathway first inhibits large areas of the thalamus and cerebral cortex that are related to both the selected motor program and other competing programs. Then, another corollary signal through the cortico-striato-pallidal "direct" pathway disinhibits their targets and releases only the selected motor program. Based on this model, akinesia observed in Parkinson disease could better be explained by reduced disinhibition in the thalamus and cortex through the "direct" pathway in the spatial and temporal domains. Amelioration of akinesia after subthalamic lesion could also be understood by restored disinhibition in the thalamus and cortex.