The basal ganglia consist of several interconnected nuclei located in the t
elecephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon that are involved in a variety
of motor and non-motor behavioural functions. Glutamate receptors play a ma
jor role in neurotransmission within the basal ganglia and are present in a
ll nuclei of the basal ganglia, This review focuses on the contribution of
the NMDA class of glutamatergic receptors to various movement disorders who
se primary pathology lies within the basal ganglia and discusses how pharma
cological manipulation of such receptors may be therapeutically useful.