The direct pathway has a series of connections through the basal nuclei, which result in an overall increase in motor activity. This pathway begins with input to the striatum, which sends axonal connections to the globus pallidus (eFig. 9.60A). The globus pallidus then has output connections to the thalamus, which completes the circuit with axonal connections back to the cortex. The indirect pathway has a similar course, with the addition of output connections to the subthalamic nucleus, which results in an overall decrease in motor activity (eFig. 9.60B).