48 Neuroanatomy: Basal Ganglia

Question 1

Anatomical Components

• What are the 5 main components of the basal ganglia?
• What are the 3 “other” components?

Answer 1

Question 2

Striatal Complex

• What 2 structures collectively make up the Neostriatum?
  
  • What is notable about the input from the basal nuclei that this structure receives?
• Ventral Striatum
  
  • This is important in limbic circuitry.
    
    • What important nucleus makes up art of this?
    • What parts of the caudate and putamen makeup part of this?
    • What part of the olfactory system makes up part of this?

Answer 2

Question 3

Striatal Complex

• Patches
  
  • What is another name for this?
  • What part of the caudate are these prominent in?
  • Are these acetylcholinesterase-rich or acetylcholinesterase-poor regions?
  • What kind of neurotransmitters and receptors do these contain?
  • What gives input to these?
  • Where do they project to?

Answer 3

Question 4

Striatal Complex

• Matrix
  
  • Where are these located, relative to patches?
  • Are these acetylcholinesterase-rich or acetylcholinesterase-poor regions?
  • What gives input to these?
  • Where do they project to?

Answer 4

Question 5

Pallidal Complex

• What NT is associated with the neurons in this complex?
  
  • What is notable about the activity of these neurons?
  • What do these neurons do to their target?
• Structures
  
  • What are the 2 structures that make up this complex?
    
    • Which of these 2 structures combines with the putamen to make the lenticular nucleus?
    • Which of these cells contains the cholinergic basal nucleus of Meynert?

Answer 5

Question 6

Subthalamic Nucleus

• This makes up 1 of the 2 nuclear groups in the subthalamis.
  
  • What is the other nuclear group called?
• What neurotransmitter is associated with subthalamic neurons?
  
  • Is this inhibitory or excitatory?
• These cells are inactive most of the time. Why?
  
  • What happens if these cells are not inhibited?

Answer 6

Question 7

Nigral Complex: Substantia Nigra

• What are the 2 groups of cells in the substantia nigra called?
  
  • Which one is medial and which one is lateral?
    
    • For the medial group of cells:
      
      • Where do these project to?
      • What neurotransmitter is synthesized and released here?
    • For the lateral group of cells
      
      • Where do these project to?
      • What neurotransmitter is synthesized and released here?
  • Which group is associated with Parkinson’s?
  • Which one receives input from the neostriatum?

Answer 7

Question 8

Nigral Complex: VTA

• Where is the located, relative to the substanstia nigra?
• What kind of neurons are located here?
• What structures does it form connections with?
• What behaviors is it involved in?

Answer 8