Anatomy of the basal ganglia and control of movement Flashcards

1
Q

What are monoaminergic neurotransmitters?

Give examples.

A

Neurotransmitters that contain one amine group.

Serotonin, Dopamine, Noradrenaline

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2
Q

Outline the synthesis of serotonin.

A
  • Tryptophan (Tryptophan hydroxylation)
  • 5-HTP (Decarboxylation)
  • 5-HT (Serotonin)
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3
Q

How can serotonin affect different locations of the body?

A

THP1 - Serotonin (Peripheral effects)

THP2 - Serotonin (Central effects)

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4
Q

What transports serotonin into vesicles?

A

VMAT2

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5
Q

What facilitates the reuptake of serotonin?

A

Sert

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6
Q

What do autoreceptors do in the serotonergic synapse do?

A

Control the concentration of serotonin in the synapse by feeding back to the presynaptic neurotransmitter.

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7
Q

Which enzyme degrades serotonin?

What is the degradation product called?

A

MAO

5-HIAA

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8
Q

What is the main area where serotonin is produced?

Where in the brain is this located?

A

Raphe nuclei

Brainstem

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9
Q

List the divisions of the raphe nuclei.

A
B1 Raphe Pallidus
B2 & B4 Raphe Obscurus
B3 Raphe Magnus
B5 Raphe pontis
B6 & B7 Dorsal raphe nuclei
B8 Medial raphe nuclei
B9 Dorsal pontine tegmentum
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10
Q

What are the three main neural pathways?

Which spans across almost all of the brain?

A

Dorsal, Medial and Ventral.

Ventral

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11
Q

List the functions of central serotonin

A
Ontogenesis
Sleep cognition
Food intake metabolism
Social sexual behaviour
Psychiatric disorders
Addiction
Thermoregulation
Breathing cardiovascular control
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12
Q

Where is noradrenaline predominantly produced?

A

A1-A7, C1-C3

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13
Q

Outline the synthesis of noradrenaline.

A
  • Phenylalanine (Hydroxylation)
  • Tyrosine (Hydroxylation)
  • L-DOPH
  • Dopamine
  • Noradrenaline
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14
Q

What transports noradrenaline into vesicles?

A

Vmat2

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15
Q

What facilitates the reuptake of noradrenaline?

A

NET

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16
Q

Outline the cortico-spinal pathway.

What is significant about its path in the spinal cord?

A

Upper motor neuron begins at the motor cortex and passes to the spinal cord.
Lower motor neuron begins at the spinal cord and passes to the muscle.
It doesn’t cross the other pathways

17
Q

List the areas of the cerebrum and their functions.

A

Precentral gyrus - Primary motor
Postcentral gyrus - Somatosensory
Supplementary motor area - Preparation of movement
Premotor area - Controlled by the posterior parietal area. Involved in the completion of complex tasks.

18
Q

What are the functions of the basal ganglia?

A

Inhibit muscle tone throughout the body.
Supports useful activity and suppresses unwanted or useless patterns of activity.
Co-ordinates slow, sustained contractions, especially those related to posture and support.

19
Q

List the main areas of the basal ganglia.

A

Lateral pallidum
Medial pallidum
Striatum

20
Q

Recall the direct and indirect pathways.

A

See onenote

21
Q

What regulates the direct and indirect pathways?

A

Dopaminergic and cholinergic systems.

22
Q

Where is dopamine produced?

A

Substantia nigra

23
Q

What affect does dopamine have of the direct and indirect pathways?
What is the net effect of dopamine?

A

It excites the direct pathway by D1 receptors
It inhibits the indirect pathwat by D2 receptors
Stimulation of movement - Turns up motor activity

24
Q

What affect does Acetylcholine have on the direct and indirect pathways?
What is the net effect of acetylcholine?

A

Inhibits the direct pathway and activates the indirect pathway.
Turns down motor activity.

25
Q

What will happen if there are disturbances of the basal ganglia?

A

Spontaneous movements

Impaired movements

26
Q

What causes Parkinson’s disease?

A

Neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
Dopaminergic control of the direct and indirect pathways is lifted.

27
Q

What causes Huntington’s disease?

A

Loss of spiny cells in the striatum that protect the lateral pallidum.
Indirect pathway is less inhibited
Striatal cholinergic cells also begin to die (These normally turn down motor activity.

28
Q

What is the primary function of oligodendrocytes?

A

Myelination

29
Q

What is the primary function of microglial cells?

A

Native immune cells of the brain

30
Q

What is the primary function of astrocytes?

A

Provide metabolic support to neurons and restore tissue. Regulate synaptic transmission.

31
Q

What is the primary function of endothelial cells?

A

Help form the blood-brain-barrier.