Editing Caudate nucleus (section)

===Directed movements===
The caudate nucleus contributes importantly to body and limbs posture and the speed and accuracy of directed movements.  Deficits in posture and accuracy during paw-usage tasks were observed after the removal of caudate nuclei in cats.  A delay in initiating performance and the need to shift body position constantly were both observed in cats after partial removal of the nuclei.<ref name="pmid20407491" />

In monkeys, after the application of [[cocaine]] to the caudate nucleus and the resulting lesions produced, there was a "leaping or forward movement".  Because of its association with damage to the caudate, this movement demonstrates the inhibitory nature of the caudate nucleus.  The "motor release" caused by this procedure indicates that the caudate nucleus inhibits the tendency for an animal to move forward without resistance.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = White NM | title = Some highlights of research on the effects of caudate nucleus lesions over the past 200 years | journal = Behavioural Brain Research | volume = 199 | issue = 1 | pages = 3–23 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 19111791 | doi = 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.12.003 | s2cid = 3717092 }}</ref>