Indirect pathway

Depicted are parts of the basal ganglia and their interconnections as revealed by diffusion spectrum imaging based on thirty subjects from the human connectome project (HCP MGH). Direct, indirect and hyperdirect pathways are visualized in different colors (see legend). Subcortical structures are rendered based on the Harvard-Oxford subcortical (Thalamus) as well as the Atlasing of the Basal Ganglia atlas (other structures). Rendering was generated using TrackVis software.

The indirect pathway, sometimes known as the indirect pathway of movement, is a neuronal circuit through the basal ganglia and several associated nuclei within the central nervous system (CNS) which helps to prevent unwanted muscle contractions from competing with voluntary movements.[1] It operates in conjunction with the direct pathway.

  1. ^ Nambu A (2004). "A new dynamic model of the cortico-basal ganglia loop". Prog. Brain Res. Progress in Brain Research. 143: 461–466. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(03)43043-4. ISBN 9780444513892. PMID 14653188.