The Basal Ganglia comprise a group of forebrain nuclei which are interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem. Basal ganglia circuits are involved in various functions, including motor control, cognition, and mnemonic functions, and the importance of these nuclei for normal brain function and behavior is emphasized by the numerous disorders associated with basal ganglia dysfunction - Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, Huntington’s, cerebral palsy, ADHD, OCD, and others. The Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the structural and functional organization of the basal ganglia, with special emphasis on the progress achieved over the last 10-15 years. Chapters are written by an international cast of leading researchers in this field. General anatomical organization and the evolution of the basal ganglia are covered in full, as are detailed accounts of specific recent advances in anatomy, cellular/molecular, cellular/physiological mechanisms, and our understanding of the behavioral and clinical aspects of basal ganglia function and dysfunction. There is currently no reference which integrates the widely dispersed material on these structures and their functions, and this volume will fill an important gap in neurobiological literature.