The results of selected clinical research projects related to epidemiological, genetic, pharmacological, kinesiological, and neuroimaging aspects (SPECT, PET, MRI, functional MRI) of basal ganglia disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Multiple System Atrophy and Wilson's disease are summarized. A retrospective pharmacoeconomic analysis of Parkinson's disease is presented. These studies are part of a nationwide research program of the German ministry of research and technology (BMFT) entitled "Parkinson's disease and other basal ganglia disorders" and were carried out at the Department of Neurology, LMU München.