The ability to form habits is crucial for maximizing cognitive function, conserving brain capacity for computing and for responding to the environment.

Studies of the basal ganglia in mammals have determined its central role in forming behavioral habits and sequences of movements and thoughts. Further research on this structure will provide fundamental knowledge about human behavior, drug addiction and a range of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Disrupting basal gangliar function is known to produce disordered thoughts and movements, and basal ganglia dysfunction is now thought to be central to depression.

Researchers can gain a direct understanding of the cortico-basal ganglia circuitry by recording how groups of neurons in basal ganglia and the neocortex function when animals are performing learning tasks and sequential movements. Multiple electrodes can be implanted in these areas to record changes under varying conditions. Manipulating the neurochemistry in this region by altering levels of dopamine has already provided useful information about normal function as well as models for neurodegenereative diseases. Finally, gene knockout studies and other molecular techniques can pinpoint the functions of individual genes and proteins in regulating normal brain processing and provide useful disease markers.

Researchers at the McGovern Institute have made significant progress in all of these areas. Further studies are underway that will combine the Institute's resources in genetics, computational modeling of neural systems, direct imaging, and behavioral research.