Editing Subthalamic nucleus (section)

== Function ==
The function of the STN is not fully understood but it is believed that, as a component of the basal ganglia, it plays a part in the so-called "hyperdirect" and "indirect" pathways of motor control, as opposed to the direct pathway which bypasses the STN on its way from the Striatum to the internal pallidum. STN dysfunction has been implicated in motor symptoms such as rigidity, bradykinesia and tremor,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bergman H, Wichmann T, DeLong MR | title = Reversal of experimental parkinsonism by lesions of the subthalamic nucleus | journal = Science | volume = 249 | issue = 4975 | pages = 1436–1438 | date = September 1990 | pmid = 2402638 | doi = 10.1126/science.2402638 | bibcode = 1990Sci...249.1436B }}</ref> behavioral features such as stopping of ongoing movements<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lofredi R, Auernig GC, Irmen F, Nieweler J, Neumann WJ, Horn A, Schneider GH, Kühn AA | title = Subthalamic stimulation impairs stopping of ongoing movements | journal = Brain | volume = 144 | issue = 1 | pages = 44–52 | date = February 2021 | pmid = 33253351 | doi = 10.1093/brain/awaa341 }}</ref> or impulsivity in individuals presented with two equally rewarding stimuli.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Frank MJ, Samanta J, Moustafa AA, Sherman SJ | title = Hold your horses: impulsivity, deep brain stimulation, and medication in parkinsonism | journal = Science | volume = 318 | issue = 5854 | pages = 1309–1312 | date = November 2007 | pmid = 17962524 | doi = 10.1126/science.1146157 | s2cid = 2718110 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2007Sci...318.1309F }}</ref>

The physiological role of the STN has been for long hidden by its pathological role. But lately, the research on the physiology of the STN led to the discovery that the STN is required to achieve intended movement, including locomotion, balance and motor coordination. It is  involved in stopping or interrupting on-going motor tasks. Moreover, STN excitation was generally correlated with significant reduction in locomotor activity, while in contrast, STN inhibition enhanced locomotion.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Aron AR, Behrens TE, Smith S, Frank MJ, Poldrack RA | title = Triangulating a cognitive control network using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI | journal = The Journal of Neuroscience | volume = 27 | issue = 14 | pages = 3743–3752 | date = April 2007 | pmid = 17409238 | pmc = 6672420 | doi = 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0519-07.2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fife KH, Gutierrez-Reed NA, Zell V, Bailly J, Lewis CM, Aron AR, Hnasko TS | title = Causal role for the subthalamic nucleus in interrupting behavior | journal = eLife | volume = 6 | pages = e27689 | date = July 2017 | pmid = 28742497 | pmc = 5526663 | doi = 10.7554/eLife.27689 | veditors = Uchida N | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Guillaumin A, Serra GP, Georges F, Wallén-Mackenzie Å | title = Experimental investigation into the role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in motor control using optogenetics in mice | journal = Brain Research | volume = 1755 | pages = 147226 | date = March 2021 | pmid = 33358727 | doi = 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147226 | doi-access = free }}</ref>