The basal ganglia are a group of grey matter nuclei located deep within the brain that are interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalami and brainstem.

The basal ganglia represent a large collection of nuclei that constantly modifies movement along with the cerebellum. The motor cortex sends information to both the cerebellum and basal ganglia, and both structures send information back to cortex via the thalamus (i.e., to gain access to the cortex, signals must pass through the thalamus).

We describe innovative MR imaging sequences that improve the visualization of normal anatomy in this complex brain region and may increase our understanding of basal ganglia and thalamic function.

On MRI, calcified areas in the basal ganglia give a low-intensity signal on T2-weighted images and a low- or high-intensity signal on T1-weighted planes. Any process that alters cerebral metabolism can lead to basal ganglia damage.

This review of basal ganglia and thalamic anatomy should serve as an intro-ductory guide for radiology trainees and neurora-diologists interested in basal ganglia and thalamus function, and emerging functional neuro-surgery applications in these regions.