1. A layer of deeply pigmented grey matter in the midbrain; associated with the striate body; is involved in metabolic disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease and with Huntington's disease
   "Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the locus niger is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease";
   - substantia nigra, nucleus niger

1. A landlocked republic in West Africa; gained independence from France in 1960; most of the country is dominated by the Sahara Desert
   - Republic of Niger
    
2. A major river in West Africa that flows through Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea
   "The Niger River is a vital transportation route for West African commerce";
   - Niger River

Type of: African country, African nation, neural structure, river

Part of: Africa, Benin, Dahomey, Federal Republic of Nigeria, French Guinea, French Sudan, Guinea, Mali, mesencephalon, midbrain, Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Mali

Encyclopedia: Niger, Peter George