In the DIRECT pаthwаy, neurоns thаt have cell bоdies in the mоtor cortex send their axons out to synapse onto neurons whose cell bodies and dendrites are in the striatum. These cortical neurons release glutamate onto the striatal neurons. This glutamate release [1] the neurons in the striatum, and ultimately [2] neurons whose cell bodies are in the thalamus. Thus, in the direct pathway the release of glutamate from neurons in the motor cortex [3] wanted movement.