The relationship between neuropsychiatric disorders and dysfunction of subcortical structures is the theme of the 1994 joint meeting of the British and American Neuropsychiatric Associations, to be held July 21-24, 1994, in Newport, Rhode Island. In this essay Dr. Salloway, chair of the Scientific Program Committee, and Dr. Cummings, director-elect of The American Neuropsychiatric Association, define the structures embraced in the "subcortical" concept and summarize the relationship between specific neuropsychiatric symptoms and regional subcortical dysfunction. These concepts and observations will be expanded, challenged, and refined at the meeting. (See the Preliminary Annual Meeting Program in this issue.)