Striatum

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The striatum is comprised of the CAUDATE NUCLEUS, PUTAMEN, NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS and OLFACTORY TUBERCLE. The caudate and putamen are anatomically and functionally closely related and are grouped as the DORSAL STRIATUM. The nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle and the most ventral parts of the caudate and putamen are grouped as the VENTRAL STRIATUM.

The dorsal striatum is characterized by receiving cortical afferents arising from the NEOCORTEX and DOPAMINERGIC afferents arising in the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA pars compacta. Dorsal striatal neurons project to the internal and external segments of the dorsal GLOBUS PALLIDUS. The ventral striatum is characterized by receiving allocortical (see ALLOCORTEX) affcrents arising from the basolateral AMYGDALA, HIPPOCAMPAL FORMATION and prelimbic parts of the PREFRONTAL CORTEX and dopaminergic afferents arising from the medial VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA. Ventral striatal neurons project to the VENTRAL PALLIDUM and also to the LATERAL HYPOTHALAMUS (the latter arising especially from neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell).

See also: corticostriatal loops; patch and matrix organization of the striatum

BARRY J.EVERITT

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