Site Map

Basal ganglia dysfunction

Extrapyramidal syndrome; Antipsychotics - extrapyramidal

Basal ganglia dysfunction is a problem with the deep brain structures that help start and control movement.

Animation

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

Any condition that can cause brain injury can damage the basal ganglia. Such conditions include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Drug overdose
• Head injury
• Infection
• Liver disease
• Metabolic problems
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Poisoning with copper, manganese, or other heavy metals
• Stroke
• Tumors

A common cause of the symptoms of basal ganglia dysfunction is chronic use of medicines used to treat schizophrenia.

Many brain disorders are associated with basal ganglia dysfunction. They include:

• Dystonia (muscle tone problems)
• Huntington disease (nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate)
• Multiple system atrophy (widespread nervous system disorder)
• Parkinson disease
• Progressive supranuclear palsy (movement disorder from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain)
• Wilson disease (disorder causing too much copper in the body's tissues)

Symptoms

Damage to the basal ganglia cells may cause problems controlling speech, movement, and posture. This combination of symptoms is called parkinsonism.

A person with basal ganglia dysfunction may have trouble starting, stopping, or sustaining movement. Depending on which area of the brain is affected, there may also be problems with memory and other thought processes.

In general, symptoms vary and may include:

• Movement changes, such as involuntary or slowed movements
• Increased muscle tone
• Muscle spasms and muscle rigidity
• Problems finding words
• Tremor
• Uncontrollable, repeated movements, speech, or cries (tics)
• Walking difficulty

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms and medical history.

Blood and imaging tests may be needed. These may include:

• CT and MRI of the head
• Genetic testing
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to look at the blood vessels in the neck and brain
• Positron emission tomography (PET) to look at the metabolism of the brain
• Blood tests to check blood sugar, thyroid function, liver function, and iron and copper levels

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a person does depends on the cause of the dysfunction. Some causes are reversible, while others require lifelong treatment.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have any:

• Abnormal or involuntary movements
• Falls without known reason
• If you or others notice that you are shaky or slow

Related Information

Parkinson disease
Huntington disease
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Multiple system atrophy - parkinsonian type
Wilson disease
Movement - uncontrolled or slow
Multiple sclerosis

References

Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.

Okun MS, Lang AE. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 382.

Vestal E, Rusher A, Ikeda K, Melnick M. Disorders of the basal nuclei. In: Lazaro RT, Reina-Guerra SG, Quiben MU, eds. Umphred's Neurological Rehabilitation. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 5/2/2022  

Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.