MNEMONIC FUNCTIONS OF THE BASAL GANGLIA

A synthesis of older and recent work on mnemonic functions of the basa l ganglia in rats, monkeys and humans emphasizes a reciprocal relation ship of the caudate nucleus and putamen with the cerebral cortex, whic h mediates the memory of consistent relationships between stimuli and responses (sometimes called habits) that often involve relationships b etween the individual and its environment (egocentric memory). Evidenc e at several levels of analysis (including neuroplastic synaptic chang es, activity of single neurons, and behavioral changes caused by lesio ns or neurochemical manipulations) implicate dopamine release from nig ro-striatal neurons in the reinforcement, or strengthening, of neural representations in the basal ganglia.