The basal ganglia are large subcortical structures comprising several interconnected nuclei in the forebrain, midbrain, and diencephalon (Fig. 31.1). Because of certain features, it is generally agreed that basal ganglia participate in the control of movement. The largest portion of basal ganglia inputs and outputs are connected with motor areas. Second, the discharge of many basal ganglia neur...

introduction: addiction imposes a large medical, social and economic burden on societies. currently, there is no effective treatment for addiction. our struggle to decipher the different mechanisms involved in addiction requires a proper understanding of the brain regions which promote this devastating behavior. previous studies have shown a pivotal role for insula in cigarette smoking. in this...