Basal Ganglia

Question 1

What are the input nuclei to the basal ganglia ?

Answer 1

The putamen and the Caudate. They recieve excitory input from the cortical and sub cortical structures

Question 2

What is the globes paladius ?

Answer 2

It is medial to the putamen and lateral to the thalamus It can be divided into an external part and an internal part.

Question 3

What makes up the striatum ?

Answer 3

The Caudate and the Putamen

Question 4

What is the output nucleus of the basal ganglia and what does it do ?

Answer 4

The Globus Pallidus, It is divided into an external portion and an internal portion. Together they look like a lens or “Lentiform Nucleus” and send inhibitory signals to the thalamus

Question 5

What are the 6 nuclei that make up the basal ganglia ?

Answer 5

1. Caudate Nucleus
2. Putamen
3. Globus pallidus
4. nucleus Accumbens
5. Subthalamic nucleus
6. substantia Nigra

“CPGASN”

Question 6

CPGASN

Answer 6

The nuclei of the basal ganglia

Question 7

What does the basal ganglia actually do ?

Answer 7

1. Decision to Move
2. The direction of movement
3. The amplitude of movement
4. The Motor Expression of emotions

Question 8

What happens in the N. Accumbens ?

Answer 8

Has an anterior and ventral portion it receives extensive dopaminergic innervation and is an integral part of the limbic system

Question 9

What does the sub thalamic nucleus do ?

Answer 9

The sub thalamic nucleus is the clock of the basal ganglia. This Rhythm can be influenced by direct cortical influences.

Question 10

What does the Nigra do ?

Answer 10

The substantial Nigra is located in the rostral mid brain at the level of the superior colliculi. It contains dopaminergic neurons that project to the putamen and caudate nucleus as well as the STN.

Question 11

In what ways can the basal ganglia influence the thalamus ?

Answer 11

It can either decrease or increase the tonic inhibition via Two internal pathways.

1. The Direct Pathway
2. The Indirect Pathway

Question 12

What is the primary goal of the direct pathway ?

Answer 12

The primary goal of the direct pathway is facilitating target oriented and efficient behavior by releasing the Thalamus from tonic inhibition

Question 13

What is the primary goal of the indirect pathway ?

Answer 13

The Indirect pathway suppresses superfluous behaviors that are not related to the target behaviors.