  We briefly review some theoretical issues involved in the direct detection of
supersymmetric (SUSY) dark matter. After a brief discussion of the allowed SYSY
parameter space we focus on the determination of the traditional neutralino
detection rates, in experiments which measure the energy of the recoiling
nucleus, such as the coherent and spin induced rates and the dependence of the
rate on the motion of the Earth (modulation effect). Then we examine the novel
features appearing in directional experiments, which detect the recoiling
nucleus in a given direction. Next we estimate the branching ratios for
transitions to accessible excited nuclear levels. Finally we estimate the event
rates leading to the atom ionization and subsequent detection of the outgoing
electrons.
