Subcortical brain structures are a complex of brain structures located between the cerebral cortex and the medulla oblongata. They are involved in the formation of all behavioral reactions in humans and animals. Their main components are the corpus callosum, amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus, and putamen.
The hippocampus is the component responsible for learning, memory, and addiction. That is why it is one of the most important parts of the human brain. It is a small paired organ with an elongated and curved shape, located in both brain hemispheres.
Among the main functions of the hippocampus are the mental processes associated with memory consolidation and the learning process. This component is also responsible for the processes of emergence and regulation of emotional states and provision of orientation in space.
Various neurotransmitters are involved in performing and controlling motor acts. Among these, acetylcholine and dopamine, located in the nigra striatal region of the brain, are the most important.
The first is responsible for impulse transmission by motor neurons – and thus for all human movements. In the central nervous system, the neurotransmitter stabilizes functions: it brings the brain out of a resting state when it is necessary to act.
Conversely, it inhibits the transmission of impulses when necessary to concentrate. Dopamine levels affect the degree of muscle tension and how relaxed people feel. Any depletion of the dopamine system will inevitably lead to severe posture, movement, and facial expression disturbances.