The zona incerta system: Involvement in attention and movement

Chemogenetic and optogenetic stimulation of zona incerta GABAergic neurons ameliorates motor impairment in Parkinson’s disease

“…Moreover, afferents from the substantia nigra and other brainstem nuclei (midbrain reticular nucleus, pontine reticular nucleus, ventral tegmental area, tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus, dorsal raphe, periaqueductal gray matter) terminate in the ZI. 7 , 9 , 15 , 40 Based on these anatomical data, the ZI is an essential link in a neuronal chain transmitting impulses involved in PD pathology.…”

A nigroincertal projection mediates aversion and enhances coping responses to potential threat

“…8,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Zona incerta (ZI), once an overlooked region and first described by Auguste Forel as a "region of which nothing certain can be said", 28,29 has received increasing attention for its crucial roles in integrating sensory information and distributing coping responses. [30][31][32] Recent studies have shown that ZI regulates novelty seeking in investigatory behavior. 33,34 The activation of ZI GABAergic neurons induces binge eating or a strong appetitive drive to hunt, [35][36][37][38] suggesting that the ZI can relay motivation drive and engage corresponding reward-related behavior.…”

“…Zona incerta (ZI), once an overlooked region and first described by Auguste Forel as a “region of which nothing certain can be said”, 28,29 has received increasing attention for its crucial roles in integrating sensory information and distributing coping responses 30–32 . Recent studies have shown that ZI regulates novelty seeking in investigatory behavior 33,34 .…”