The involvement of the basal ganglia structures in regulation of emotional functions

The basal ganglia are involved in motor control. However, recent studies have focused on the role of basal ganglia in emotional and cognitive processes. In the present paper we review studies on basal ganglia and emotions. There are five basal ganglia-frontocortical circuits: motor, oculomotor, dorsolateral prefrontal, lateral orbitofrontal and limbic. Dysfunctions of the last three circuits are associated with emotional impairments such as depression, mania, anxiety, and apathy. Lesion of left globus pallidus leads to depression in Parkinson’s disease patients. Moreover, hyperactivity of the caudate nucleus is linked with the emergence of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Dysfunction of the lateral orbitofrontal circuit gives rise to personality changes marked by loss of control, inappropriate jesting, inflexible behavior, difficulties in expression of emotions and extreme introversion. The lateral orbitofrontal and limbic circuits play an important role in depression. The basal ganglia are involved in expression and perception of emotions. The striatum is likely to take part in reward processes and motivated behaviour.