Basal ganglia and Parkinson's disease: neurobiological and pharmacological aspects in animals and man.

In this article, the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neurobiology of the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic circuitries of animals and man will be reviewed in order to gain insight into the pathognomy and etiology of cognitive and motor disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease, to increase insight into the mechanism of action of present-day antiparkinson agents, and to open perspectives for the design and development of new antiparkinson agents on a rational basis.