Abstract
The neostriatum is considered a key-structure in the induction of goal-directed movements or in the suppression of movements. A complex neuronal network regulates these functions by involving different cell populations, such as spiny projection neurons and several types of aspiny interneurons. This chapter will focus on anatomical features of striatal cells and their circuitries to better understand how morphology sustains striatal activities. Lifespan experience has been demonstrated to affect brain function inducing plastic remodelling of brain structure. Such a form of plasticity consists in cerebral adaptation to always changing information by means of generation of new synapses or reorganization of existing neuronal circuits in response to environmental experience. Moreover, brain plastic properties are heavily recruited to restore impaired abilities when damage occurs. This fundamental topic will be faced up in relation to experience-dependent morphological changes in striatal neurons, considering the involvement of the neostriatum in a number of motor-related diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Striatum: Anatomy, Functions and Role in Disease |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 145-158 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781619423848 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Neuroscience(all)