Indirect Pathway

Question 1

Describe this pathway

Answer 1

Excitatory info comes from cortex into the striatum
From there, the striatum sends inhibitory info to the globus pallidus externus
The globus pallidus externus sends info which has less inhibition down to the subthalamic nucleus
So the subthalamic nucleus sends more excitatory info to the globus pallidus internus
Therefore the globus pallidus internus sends more inhibition to the thalamus
So the thalamus can’t send as much excitatory info to the cortex

Question 2

What about dopamine?

Answer 2

Picked up in this pathway via d2 receptors

Question 3

So what is the effect of this pathway?

Answer 3

Inhibits movement