Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (909 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The representation of the phylogenetically oldest part of the corpus striatum called the paleostriatum. It forms the smaller, more medial part of the lentiform nucleus.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Pallidum; Pallidums; Paleostriatum.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Corpus Striatum
- See also
- Entopeduncular Nucleus
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,619 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Globus Pallidus” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 948 of them (12.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 3,351 records.
Reviews account for 706 records (9.3%) and meta-analyses for 56. Randomized controlled trials number 94 (1.2%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,351 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,738 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,582 |
| 2020 onward | 948 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 706 | 9.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 56 | 0.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 94 | 1.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Globus Pallidus"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in neuroscience
Neuroscience draws on tools with different strengths: cellular and animal work can manipulate circuits directly, while human imaging and electrophysiology observe the living brain at lower resolution. Small imaging studies are prone to false positives, and findings in animals do not always carry over to people. Clinical neurology and psychiatry rely on trials and cohort studies whose outcomes are often symptom scales. Check the species, the sample size, how the outcome was measured and whether results were replicated.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Parkinson's Disease | 2016 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 197 | cc by PMID 27598250 · DOI · PMC5012676 |
| Iron deposition in Parkinson's disease by quantitative susceptibility mapping | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 101 | cc by PMID 31117957 · DOI · PMC6532252 |
| Globus Pallidus Externus Neurons Expressing parvalbumin Interconnect the Subthalamic Nucleus and Striatal Interneurons | 2016 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 100 | cc by PMID 26905595 · DOI · PMC4764347 |
| Effects of Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech and Swallowing in Pediatric Patients with Dystonia | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 41307194 · DOI · PMC13172749 |
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Parkinson's Disease [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundQuantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and R2* relaxation rate mapping have demonstrated increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Closing excerpt
- These results suggest a more widespread pathologic involvement and QSM as a novel means for its investigation, more sensitive than current MRI techniques.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (271 words)
BackgroundQuantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and R2* relaxation rate mapping have demonstrated increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the findings in other subcortical deep gray matter nuclei are converse and the sensitivity of QSM and R2* for morphological changes and their relation to clinical measures of disease severity has so far been investigated only sparsely.MethodsThe local ethics committee approved this study and all subjects gave written informed consent. 66 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and 58 control subjects underwent quantitative MRI at 3T. Susceptibility and R2* maps were reconstructed from a spoiled multi-echo 3D gradient echo sequence. Mean susceptibilities and R2* rates were measured in subcortical deep gray matter nuclei and compared between patients with PD and controls as well as related to clinical variables.ResultsCompared to control subjects, patients with PD had increased R2* values in the substantia nigra. QSM also showed higher susceptibilities in patients with PD in substantia nigra, in the nucleus ruber, thalamus, and globus pallidus. Magnetic susceptibility of several of these structures was correlated with the levodopa-equivalent daily dose (LEDD) and clinical markers of motor and non-motor disease severity (total MDS-UPDRS, MDS-UPDRS-I and II). Disease severity as assessed by the Hoehn & Yahr scale was correlated with magnetic susceptibility in the substantia nigra.ConclusionThe established finding of higher R2* rates in the substantia nigra was extended by QSM showing superior sensitivity for PD-related tissue changes in nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. QSM additionally reflected the levodopa-dosage and disease severity. These results suggest a more widespread pathologic involvement and QSM as a novel means for its investigation, more sensitive than current MRI techniques.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 27598250 · DOI · PMC5012676
Iron deposition in Parkinson's disease by quantitative susceptibility mapping [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have elevated levels of brain iron, especially in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.
- Closing excerpt
- The source and mechanism of iron deposition in the SN need to be further explored, as does the relationship between the iron deposition in the RN and PD.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (232 words)
BackgroundPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have elevated levels of brain iron, especially in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the iron deposition in the substantia nigra (SN) and other deep gray matter nuclei of PD patients using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and its clinical relationship, and to explore whether there is a gradient of iron deposition pattern in globus pallidus (GP)-fascicula nigrale (FN)-SN pathway.MethodsThirty-three PD patients and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (HVs) were included in this study. Subjects underwent brain MRI and constructed QSM data. The differences in iron accumulation in the deep gray matter nuclei of the subjects were compared, including the PD group and the control group, the early-stage PD (EPD) group and the late-stage PD (LPD) group. The iron deposition pattern of the GP-FN-SN pathway was analyzed.ResultsThe PD group showed increased susceptibility values in the FN, substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), internal globus pallidus (GPi), red nucleus (RN), putamen and caudate nucleus compared with the HV group (P ConclusionPD is closely related to iron deposition in the SNc. The condition of PD patients is related to the SNc and the SNr. There is not an increasing iron deposition gradient along the GP-FN-SN pathway. The source and mechanism of iron deposition in the SN need to be further explored, as does the relationship between the iron deposition in the RN and PD.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31117957 · DOI · PMC6532252
Globus Pallidus Externus Neurons Expressing parvalbumin Interconnect the Subthalamic Nucleus and Striatal Interneurons [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The globus pallidus externus (GP) is a nucleus of the basal ganglia (BG), containing GABAergic projection neurons that arborize widely throughout the BG, thalamus and cortex.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus PV+ GP neurons are synaptically positioned to directly coordinate activity between BG input nuclei, the striatum and STN, and thalamic-output from the SNr.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (184 words)
The globus pallidus externus (GP) is a nucleus of the basal ganglia (BG), containing GABAergic projection neurons that arborize widely throughout the BG, thalamus and cortex. Ongoing work seeks to map axonal projection patterns from GP cell types, as defined by their electrophysiological and molecular properties. Here we use transgenic mice and recombinant viruses to characterize parvalbumin expressing (PV+) GP neurons within the BG circuit. We confirm that PV+ neurons 1) make up ~40% of the GP neurons 2) exhibit fast-firing spontaneous activity and 3) provide the major axonal arborization to the STN and substantia nigra reticulata/compacta (SNr/c). PV+ neurons also innervate the striatum. Retrograde labeling identifies ~17% of pallidostriatal neurons as PV+, at least a subset of which also innervate the STN and SNr. Optogenetic experiments in acute brain slices demonstrate that the PV+ pallidostriatal axons make potent inhibitory synapses on low threshold spiking (LTS) and fast-spiking interneurons (FS) in the striatum, but rarely on spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Thus PV+ GP neurons are synaptically positioned to directly coordinate activity between BG input nuclei, the striatum and STN, and thalamic-output from the SNr.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26905595 · DOI · PMC4764347
Effects of Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech and Swallowing in Pediatric Patients with Dystonia [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundBilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) is a proven safe and effective treatment in certain forms of idiopathic or inherited dystonia (ID/IN).
- Closing excerpt
- More comprehensive and patient-centered assessment tools are needed to fully capture DBS effects on these domains in these complex disabled patients.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (222 words)
BackgroundBilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) is a proven safe and effective treatment in certain forms of idiopathic or inherited dystonia (ID/IN). Its effects in acquired dystonia such as in dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) however vary widely. The impact of GPi-DBS on speech and swallowing, which significantly affect quality of life, remains poorly understood, especially in pediatric patients.ObjectiveTo evaluate GPi-DBS effects on speech and swallowing using the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment 2 (FDA-2), in pediatric patients with dystonia, and assess how the effects differ between DCP and ID/IN patients.MethodsThis pro- and retrospective multicenter study analyzes speech and swallowing pre- and 12 months post-GPi-DBS using FDA-2, including prospective data from the STIM-CP trial and retrospective data from the GEPESTIM registry.ResultsTwenty-six patients were included (17 male, 9 female; 14 DCP, 12 ID/IN) with mean age of 12.2 years at DBS. No significant changes in FDA-2 total scores were observed pre- and post-DBS (pre: 46.3 ± 33.6; post: 46.3 ± 34.2). ID/IN patients showed consistently higher scores compared to DCP patients both pre- and post-DBS (P ConclusionGPi-DBS did not significantly change FDA-2 scores pre- and post-DBS. Assessing speech and swallowing in pediatric patients with dystonia, impaired expressive language and/or intellectual disability is challenging. More comprehensive and patient-centered assessment tools are needed to fully capture DBS effects on these domains in these complex disabled patients.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41307194 · DOI · PMC13172749
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Functional significance of the cortico-subthalamo-pallidal 'hyperdirect' pathway [5]
- Research article Ventral pallidum roles in reward and motivation [6]
- Research article Mechanisms for selection of basic motor programs--roles for the striatum and pallidum [7]
- Research article Manganese neurotoxicity: a review of clinical features, imaging and pathology [8]
- Research article The anatomical relationship of the prefrontal cortex with the striatopallidal system, the thalamus and the amygdala: evidence for a parallel organization [9]
- Research article Distinct Subcortical Volume Alterations in Pediatric and Adult OCD: A Worldwide Meta- and Mega-Analysis [10]
References
- Langkammer C, Pirpamer L, Seiler S, Deistung A, Schweser F, Franthal S, et al.. Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Parkinson's Disease. . 2016. PMID 27598250 · DOI · PMC5012676
- Chen Q, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Wang F, Yu H, Zhang C, et al.. Iron deposition in Parkinson's disease by quantitative susceptibility mapping. . 2019. PMID 31117957 · DOI · PMC6532252
- Saunders A, Huang KW, Sabatini BL. Globus Pallidus Externus Neurons Expressing parvalbumin Interconnect the Subthalamic Nucleus and Striatal Interneurons. . 2016. PMID 26905595 · DOI · PMC4764347
- Bernardi K, Kühn AA, de Almeida Marcelino AL, Eckenweiler M, Rensing-Zimmermann C, Krauss JK, et al.. Effects of Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech and Swallowing in Pediatric Patients with Dystonia. . 2026. PMID 41307194 · DOI · PMC13172749
- Nambu A, Tokuno H, Takada M. Functional significance of the cortico-subthalamo-pallidal 'hyperdirect' pathway. Neurosci Res. 2002. PMID 12067746 · DOI
- Smith KS, Tindell AJ, Aldridge JW, Berridge KC. Ventral pallidum roles in reward and motivation. Behav Brain Res. 2009. PMID 18955088 · DOI · PMC2606924
- Grillner S, Hellgren J, Ménard A, Saitoh K, Wikström MA. Mechanisms for selection of basic motor programs--roles for the striatum and pallidum. Trends Neurosci. 2005. PMID 15935487 · DOI
- Pal PK, Samii A, Calne DB. Manganese neurotoxicity: a review of clinical features, imaging and pathology. Neurotoxicology. 1999. PMID 10385886
- Groenewegen HJ, Berendse HW, Wolters JG, Lohman AH. The anatomical relationship of the prefrontal cortex with the striatopallidal system, the thalamus and the amygdala: evidence for a parallel organization. Prog Brain Res. 1990. PMID 2094917 · DOI
- Boedhoe PS, Schmaal L, Abe Y, Ameis SH, Arnold PD, Batistuzzo MC, et al.. Distinct Subcortical Volume Alterations in Pediatric and Adult OCD: A Worldwide Meta- and Mega-Analysis. Am J Psychiatry. 2017. PMID 27609241 · DOI · PMC5344782
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.