Final answer:
Grossman & Blake (2001) identified activity in the basal ganglia while researching biological movement mechanisms via point-light walker stimuli. The basal ganglia's role in motor control, posture, and motivation is crucial, as demonstrated in clinical observations of Parkinson's disease and motivational deficits in persons with basal ganglia damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grossman & Blake (2001) detected activity in the basal ganglia, when studying the point-light walker biological movement mechanisms. This research ties into the understanding of how the basal ganglia contribute to processing complex visual movements and controlling motion. These interconnected brain areas are paramount in the regulation of movement control and posture, as well as motivation, and are involved in the cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathway which projects from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum through the gray matter of the pons.
Damage to the basal ganglia can result in motor impairments, such as those observed in Parkinson's disease, which leads to characteristic shuffling gait patterns. Additionally, the basal ganglia's role in motivation is underscored by observations in individuals with bilateral basal ganglia damage, who present with marked declines in motivation unless externally stimulated.