maintained and focused, but also to be modified according to appropriate external and internal stimuli. Indeed, both the ability to maintain and to focus on the execution of specific behaviors, as well as the ability to adapt appropriately to external and internal cues, are key deficits in basal ganglia diseases that affect these aspects of motor control, cognition, and motivation. The present review focuses on the primate cortico-striatal circuits from the perspective of cortical function. The focus is on the striatum as it is the main input structure of the basal ganglia. Particular emphasis is on the integrative nature of this system in carrying out goal-directed actions.
