Mechanisms Underlying Basal Ganglia Function and Dysfunction

The basal ganglia are a richly interconnected group of subcortical brain nuclei that are critical for the motivation, selection, initiation and execution of actions. Consistent with these roles, dysfunction of the basal ganglia is linked to a range of debilitating disorders including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome. With recent technical advances in our ability to observe and perturb molecules, neurons, and astrocytes, together with increasingly powerful molecular and genetic interrogation approaches, our views of basal ganglia circuits and their contribution to brain function and dysfunction are evolving rapidly. Furthermore, the unprecedented streams of data arising from these approaches are revealing properties and mechanisms that could be targeted for therapeutic benefit. This conference will bring together basic, clinical and translational scientists with diverse perspectives and technical expertise from across the world to discuss their latest discoveries and to promote community interaction and collaboration. Besides addressing long-standing basal ganglia research questions, the 2018 meeting will incorporate subjects that have previously received little attention including basal ganglia development, interactions of the basal ganglia with the wider motor system, the striosome/patch compartment, involvement of the basal ganglia in neuropsychiatric disorders, and basal ganglia connectomics.