title: The basal ganglia: from motor commands to the control of vigor.
abstract: Vertebrates are remarkable for their ability to select and execute goal-directed actions: motor skills critical for thriving in complex, competitive environments. A key aspect of a motor skill is the ability to execute its component movements over a range of speeds, amplitudes and frequencies (vigor). Recent work has indicated that a subcortical circuit, the basal ganglia, is a critical determinant of movement vigor in rodents and primates. We propose that the basal ganglia evolved from a circuit that in lower vertebrates and some mammals is sufficient to directly command simple or stereotyped movements to one that indirectly controls the vigor of goal-directed movements. The implications of a dual role of the basal ganglia in the control of vigor and response to reward are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States. Electronic address: dudmanj@janelia.hhmi.org.
authors.forename: Joshua T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dudman
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Krakauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D014714:Vertebrates