the midbrain includes the substantia nigra which is responsible for brain function, in particular, in eye movement.
the midbrain includes the substantia nigra which is responsible for what?
brain function, in particular, in eye movement
substantia nigra





























the substantia nigra (sn) is a basal ganglia structure located in the midbrain that plays an important role in reward and movement. "substantia nigra" is latin for "black substance", reflecting the fact that parts of the substantia nigra appear darker than neighboring areas due to high levels of neuromelanin in dopaminergic neurons. it was discovered in 1784 by félix vicq-d'azyr, and samuel thomas von sömmerring alluded to this structure in 1791. parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.
substantia nigra
the substantia nigra is an important player in brain function, in particular, in eye movement, motor planning, reward-seeking, learning, and addiction. many of the substantia nigra's effects are mediated through the striatum. the nigral dopaminergic input to the striatum via the nigrostriatal pathway is intimately linked with the striatum's function. the co-dependence between the striatum and substantia nigra can be seen in this way: when the substantia nigra is electrically stimulated, no movement occurs; however, the symptoms of nigral degeneration due to parkinson's is a poignant example of the substantia nigra's influence on movement. in addition to striatum-mediated functions, the substantia nigra also serves as a major source of gabaergic inhibition to various brain targets.
substantia nigra