The basal ganglia (BG) have been implicated in various aspects of motor regulation and in cognitive processes. BG dysfunction is involved in Parkinson's Disease, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and several other well-known medical problems. Currently, much research is focused on characterizing the unique roles of the various BG nuclei and their specific interactions with different cortical regions. The goal of the BG project is to explore the function and functional connectivity of the various BG nuclei during predictable and unpredictable movement sequencing tasks. In particular, BG-cortical functional connectivity is being studied, with an emphasis on delineating pathways that are differentially activated during more automated and more unpredictable tasks. This exploration of functional connectivity complements existing structural data. .Related Publications Menon, V., Anagnoson, R. T., Glover, G. H. & Pfefferbaum, A. Basal ganglia involvement in memory-guided movement sequencing. Neuroreport. 14, 3641-3645 (2000). Abstract     PDF Menon, V., Anagnoson, R. T., Glover, G. H. & Pfefferbaum, A. Functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence for disrupted basal ganglia function in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 158, 646-9. (2001). Abstract      PDF Menon, V., Glover, G. H. & Pfefferbaum, A. Differential activation of dorsal basal ganglia during externally and self paced sequences of arm movements. Neuroreport 9, 1567-73 (1998). Abstract     PDF Menon, V., Leroux, J., White, C. D. & Reiss, A. L. Frontostriatal deficits in fragile X syndrome: Relation to FMR1 gene _expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101, 3615-20 (2004). Abstract      PDF