Final answer:
Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the basal ganglia, particularly the substantia nigra. Treatments like L-DOPA aim to increase dopamine levels in the striatum, but they may become less effective over time. The basal ganglia also play a role in non-declarative memory functions, such as problem-solving.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basal ganglia are a group of interconnected brain areas that have significant roles in coordinating movement and posture, as well as regulating motivation. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a disorder that affects the substantia nigra, a component of the basal ganglia, leading to the death of dopaminergic neurons. This condition is marked by several motor symptoms and can also impact cognitive functions and emotional states.
Treatment for PD often involves the administration of L-DOPA, a precursor to dopamine, which can cross the blood brain barrier and increase dopamine levels in the striatum. Over time, the effect of L-DOPA may diminish, and there are risks of side effects, including psychosis or schizophrenia, due to increased dopamine levels elsewhere in the brain.
Research suggests that the basal ganglia are also important for aspects of non-declarative memory, such as problem-solving, as evidenced by the performance of Parkinson's patients on L-DOPA who do almost as well as controls in memory tasks.