Quick Facts
The substantia nigra is located in the midbrain and plays an important role in reward, addiction and movement. The substantia nigra appears darker than neighboring areas, due to high levels of melanin in dopaminergic neurons. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
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Substantia nigra
The substantia nigra (SN) is a subcortical nucleus located in the mesencephalon that can be divided into the dorsal pars compacta with high content of pigmented dopaminergic neuronal cells and the ventral pars reticulata with fewer cells.
