Anatomy and Connectivity of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Humans and Non-human Primates

Aron Emmi; Angelo Antonini; Veronica Macchi; Andrea Porzionato; Raffaele De Caro

doi:10.3389/fnana.2020.00013

Anatomy and Connectivity of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Humans and Non-human Primates

Front Neuroanat. 2020 Apr 22:14:13. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00013. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Aron Emmi¹, Angelo Antonini², Veronica Macchi¹, Andrea Porzionato¹, Raffaele De Caro¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
² Parkinson and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Clinic, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

Abstract

The Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is an oval-shaped diencephalic structure located ventrally to the thalamus, playing a fundamental role in the circuitry of the basal ganglia. In addition to being involved in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's disease, the STh is one of the target nuclei for deep brain stimulation. However, most of the anatomical evidence available derives from non-human primate studies. In this review, we will present the topographical and morphological organization of the nucleus and its connections to structurally and functionally related regions of the basal ganglia circuitry. We will also highlight the importance of additional research in humans focused on validating STh connectivity, cytoarchitectural organization, and its functional subdivision.

Keywords: Parkinson; anatomy; connectivity; subthalamic nucleus; topography.

Publication types

Review