The basal ganglia and dopamine

One of the pathophysiological causes of some symptoms of Tourette Syndrome appears to be a higher than normal 'level' of dopaminergic neuron activity in the basal ganglia area of the brain. This is thought to involve increased concentrations of dopamine (a chemical neuro-transmitter substance) and, possibly, increased numbers of dopamine receptors. This is the basis for treating TS by administering drugs, such as the neuroleptics, which antagonise or inhibit the effects of dopamine. The basal ganglia are thought to play an important role in determining action selection, inhibitory and voluntary motor control, behaviour switching and procedural learning of routine behaviours. Dysfunction here is implicated in the symptoms of tic, obsessive and compulsive behaviours (see: serotonin). Activity in the basal ganglia is influenced by and in turn influences many other parts of the brain. Basal ganglia structure