Direct pathway of movement

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The striatum modulates movement by two pathways: a direct pathway and an indirect pathway.

In the direct pathway, striatal neurons directly inhibit neurons in the globus pallidus internus, which in turn inhibit thalamic neurons responsible for excitation of the premotor cortex.

Thus, the direct pathway facilitates movement, and anything inhibiting it (e.g. Parkinson's disease) causes akinesia.