Basal ganglia

Question 1

The nuclei that constitute the basal ganglia

Answer 1

Cuadate

Putamen

External Globus Pallidus Gpe

Internal Globus Pallidus Gpi

Subthalamic Nucleus STN

Substantia Nigra pars compacta SNc

Substantia Nigra pars reticulata SNr

Question 2

Direct Pathway

Answer 2

A medium spiny neurons expressing dopamin receptor 1 (D1) - Motor activation

Question 3

Indirect Pathway

Answer 3

Medium spiny neurons expressing dopamine receptor 2 (D2) - Motor inhibition

Question 4

Flow from Input

Answer 4

Cortex -> Putamen -> External Globus Pallidu (Gpe) -> Internal Globus Pallidus (Gpi)
-> Output

Question 5

Flow from Output

Answer 5

Thalamus -> Cortex -> Spinal cord

Question 6

The modulatory role of dopamine in the motor pathways of the basal ganglia

Answer 6

Direct Pathway: Activation:

- Dopamine, acting on D1 MSN, Increases the responsiveness of these neurons to glutamatergic inputs. 
- Increases in GluR1 surface expression
- Enhances LTP 

Indirect Pathway: Inhibition:

- Dopamine acting on D2 MSN, decreases the responsiveness of these neurons
- Decreases in GluR1 surface
- Enchances LTD

Question 7

Characterize Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 7

Chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting the dopaminergic system.

Question 8

Characterize Huntington’s disease

Answer 8

Neurodegenerative disease caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in the huntingtin gene.

- Degeneration  of Putamen medium  spiny  neurons, mainly  D2.

Question 9

3 lobes of cerebellum

Answer 9

Anterior lobe
posterior lobe
flocculonodular lobe

Question 10

3 pairs of deep cerebellar nuclei

Answer 10

fastigial nucleus
interposed nuclei
dentate nuclei

Question 11

3 functional subdivision of cerebellum

Answer 11

Vestibulocerebellum
Spinocerebellum
Cerebrocerebellum

Question 12

3 layer structure of cerebellar cortex

Answer 12

Granular layer
Purkinje cell layer
Molecular layer

Question 13

Vestibulocerebellum

Answer 13

regulates balance and eye movements. It receives vestibular input from both the semicircular canals and from the vestibular nuclei, and sends fibres back to the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei.

It also receives visual input from the superior colliculi and from the visual cortex

Question 14

Spinocerebellum

Answer 14

receives somatosensory input from the spinal cord; it uses this information to modify descending motor commands to facilitate movement, maintain balance, and control posture

Question 15

Cerebrocerebellum

Answer 15

is involved in planning movement and evaluating sensory information for action.
It receives input exclusively from the cerebral cortex via the pontine nuclei and dentate nucleus ), and sends fibres mainly to the ventrolateral thalamus