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Nigrostriatal Pathway

Meaning

The Nigrostriatal Pathway is a critical and highly organized dopaminergic projection system within the central nervous system that originates in the midbrain’s substantia nigra pars compacta and terminates densely in the striatum. This pathway is absolutely indispensable for the initiation, fine-tuning, and successful execution of all voluntary movement, as well as for motor learning. The functional integrity of this specific neural circuit is paramount for normal motor function and is notably and significantly compromised in debilitating movement disorders, most prominently Parkinson’s disease.