This volume represents the collected papers presented at the Third Triennial Symposium of the International Basal Ganglia society (IBAGS) held at Capo Boi, Italy, June 10-13, 1989. About 300 members of the society and participants attended the symposium which was held in a delightful environment conducive to the formal and informal exchange of scientific thought. The interdisciplinary nature of the symposium was unique in its coverage of the neurosciences from molecular biology to clinical and behavioural studies. The 80 papers collected here reflect the wide spectrum and the depth of studies on virtually all aspects of the basal ganglia. Unfortunately, this book does not capture the cordial and congenial atmosphere which has characterized this, and all prior symposia of the Society. Any cooperative endeavour of this kind requires a tremendous effort and dedication, usually by a small number of individuals. The Society is especially pleased to acknowledge the support and encouragement of the "Italian Ministry of university and Scientific Research" and the "Italian National. Research Council". In addition the society received financial support from numerous Foundations and corporations, which are listed separately under acknowledgements. Finally the Editors are pleased that Plenum Press, which has published the two previous symposia, has accepted this program for publication. It is our hope that vast scientific efforts reflected in these pages will be widely disseminated and further encourage every kind of research related to the basal ganglia.

This volume was generated from papers presented at the Second Triennial Symposium of the International Basal Ganglia Society (IBAGS) held at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, July 21-23, 1986. The meeting was held as a satellite symposium following the XXX Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences at Vancouver. IBAGS was founded at a similar satellite symposium held in Lorne, Australia, organized by John S. McKenzie and sponsored by the University of Melbourne. The symposium held in Australia was attended by 50 scientists from 12 different countries. The results of the first symposium, edited by John S. McKenzie, Robert E. Kemm and Lynette N. Wilcock, were published by Plenum Press in 1984 under the title, The Basal Ganglia - Structure and Function. It was decided that the Society should meet on a triennial basis. The time and place for Second IBAGS Symposium were set by A.G. Phillips who served as Chairman of the Program Committee along with I. Divac, S.A. Greenfield and E.T. Rolls and J.S. McKenzie. Michael E. Corcoran of the Department of Psychology, University of Victoria served as the on-site coordinator and arranger for the Symposium. He was ably assisted by Ms. Morag McNeil who handled the details which made the meeting run smoothly.