corticosubcorticale

Corticosubcorticale describes the network of anatomical connections and functional interactions between the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem nuclei, and the cerebellum. These circuits are organized into recurrent loops that support the integration of sensory information, motor planning, and cognitive and affective processes.

The classical motor cortico-subcortical loop involves corticostriatal projections from motor and premotor cortex to the striatum (putamen and caudate), through the basal ganglia output nuclei (globus pallidus interna and substantia nigra pars reticulata), to the thalamus, and back to cortex. Similar loops exist for cognitive and limbic functions, engaging prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, the caudate/putamen, ventral pallidum, thalamus, and associated cortical areas. In addition, cortico-cerebellar and cortico-brainstem pathways link cortical regions with the cerebellum and brainstem.

Dopaminergic modulation from the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area influences the speed and selection of actions within these circuits. Through these loops, the cortex can influence movement, learning, decision-making, and emotional evaluation, while subcortical structures provide gating, timing, reward signaling, and motor coordination.

Clinical relevance: dysfunction of corticosubcortical circuits is implicated in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia, as well as neuropsychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mood disorders. Neuroimaging and electrophysiology examine these networks to understand symptoms and guide interventions.

The concept emphasizes distributed network organization over isolated cortical areas, highlighting the importance of looped connections in normal brain function.