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putamen
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Definition: The putamen is a round structure located at the base of the forebrain (telencephalon).
The putamen and caudate nucleus together form the dorsal striatum. It is also one of the structures that comprises the basal ganglia.
Through various pathways, the putamen is connected to the substantia nigra and globus pallidus.
The main function of the putamen is to regulate movements and influence various types of learning. It employs dopamine to perform its functions.
Pathology
The putamen plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as Parkinson disease.