The basal ganglia are a hub of interconnected nuclei embedded in an
extensive brain-wide network, controlling movement, mood states, 
and higher brain functions.

Their selection-suppression operations serve as a
paradigm in computational biology and neurorobotics. 

Basal ganglia dysfunction causes neuropsychiatric
disturbances and movement disorders. 

The basal ganglia are evolutionarily
conserved; vertebrate models of
basal ganglia disease are
translationally valid.