External globus pallidus

The basal ganglia functions to tonically inhibit movement, mainly in the absence of motor cortex command, via GABAergic inhibition of the ventral lateral nucleus and ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus, as well as the superior colliculus and mesopontine tegmentum of the brain stem. When movement is required, the cerebral cortex sends commands to the striatum, which directly inhibits the medial globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, decreasing thalamus and brainstem inhibition.[1] As the pathway from the striatum to the medial globus pallidus is monosynaptic (containing one synapse), it is called the direct pathway.

The indirect pathway, which contains the GPe and the subthalamic nucleus, functions to modulate the effects of the direct pathway. The GPe acts as an inhibitory "control device", adjusting subthalamic nucleus neuronal activity via GABAergic output.[2]

When movement adjustment is required, striatal inhibitory GABAergic axons are sent to the GPe, decreasing inhibition of the subthalamic nucleus. The subthalamic nucleus' glutamatergic neurons then stimulate the GPi and substantia nigra pars reticulata.

This multisynaptic indirect striatopallidal pathway allows for regulated excitatory input from the subthalamic nucleus to the GPi and substantia nigra pars reticulata. This combines with direct pathway inhibition in the GPi, allowing for fine tuned basal ganglia output, and more controlled movement.