Direct pathway

Part of

basal ganglia

See also

indirect pathway

basal ganglia

Pathway

to begin with

pars compacta

V

main direct pathway (two negatives = positive)

putamen D1 receptors

V

internal globus pallidus

V

ventral lateral thalamus

so

D1 receptors have an excitatory effect overall on the thalamus - releasing the brake

and the pars compacta will always have an excitatory effect

i think the projections to the thalamus also go to

pedunculo-pontine nuclei

substantia nigra pars reticulata