Basal Ganglia

Question 1

what are the nuclei of the basal ganglia loop?

Answer 1

Striatum (caudate + putamen); Pallidum (internal; external); Subthalamic nucleus; Substantia nigra

Question 2

Basal ganglia nuclei do or do not have direct connections with the spinal cord

Answer 2

Basal ganglia nuclei do not have direct connections with the spinal cord

Question 3

generally where is the basal ganglia located?

Answer 3

located subcortical or basally to the cortex

Question 4

the striatum is made up of?

Answer 4

The striatum is made up the caudate nucleus and the putamen;

Question 5

the basal ganglia consists of four major what? What are the four?

Answer 5

The basal ganglia consist of four major interconnected subcortical nuclei in the forebrain; Striatum; Globus pallidus; . Subthalamic nucleus; Substantia nigra

Question 6

the basal ganglia’s blood supply comes from?

Answer 6

The middle cerebral artery

Question 7

what is the major functions of the basal ganglia?

Answer 7

participate in control of voluntary movement( facilitate “voluntary? movements and suppress “involuntary? movements)

Question 8

Damage to the basal ganglia leads to?

Answer 8

Damage results in movement disorders (excessive involuntary movements; e.g. Huntington?s disease; or reduced voluntary movement; e.g. Parkinson?s disease)

Question 9

the Cortical basal ganglia thalamo cortical loop is made up of what two pathways?

Answer 9

direct pathway; indirect pathway

Question 10

the direct pathway of the Cortical basal ganglia cortical loop does what?

Answer 10

Activation of the direct pathway disinhibits the thalamocortical neurons; thereby increases thalamocortical activity which initiates & promotes voluntary movements (GO Pathway)

Question 11

the indirect pathway of the Cortical basal ganglia cortical loop does what? What is the key structure?

Answer 11

Activation of the indirect pathway inhibits thalamocortical neurons; thus suppresses involuntary movements; It also counterbalances the activity of the direct pathway to maintain an activity equilibrium; the key structure is the Subthalamic nucleus;

Question 12

the basal ganglia are believed to be involved in? through what?

Answer 12

Basal ganglia are believed to be involved in learning action sequences through REWARD-BASED LEARNING

Question 13

what are two major disorders of the basal ganglia?

Answer 13

Hypokinetic disorder (reduced voluntary movement = bradykinesia); Hyperkinetic disorder (excessive involuntary movement = dyskinesia);

Question 14

Hypokinetic disorder is found in?

Answer 14

Parkinson’s disease; Drug-induced (MPTP)

Question 15

Hyperkinetic disorder is found in?

Answer 15

Huntington?s disease; Hemiballismus;