Basal ganglia Flashcards
What are the basal ganglia?
A set of interconnected nuclei that are found in three areas under the cerebral cortex
What do the basal ganglia do?
Control voluntary motor movements Procedural learning Routine behaviours and habits Eye movements Cognition Emotion Motivation
What are the main components of the basal ganglia?
Striatum
- putamen
- caudate nucleus
Globus Pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigra
Which basal ganglia are found in the rostral part, and which in the caudal part?
Striatum & Globus pallidus - rostral (upper)
Subthalamic nucleus & substantia nigra - caudal (lower)
Group the parts of the basal ganglia together in terms of location?
- Striatum
- caudate nucleus
- putamen - Globus pallidus
- substantia nigra
- nucleus accumbens - Subthalamic nucleus
What is the main function of the basal ganglia?
Action selection
Control and regulation of activities of the motor & premotor cortical areas - so that voluntary movements can be performed smoothly
Which neurotransmitter do the basal ganglia use?
Dopamine
What are the two components of the striatum?
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Divided by the internal capsule
What does the striatum do?
Planning and modulation of movement pathways
Which basal ganglion is affected in Parkinson’s disease?
Substantia nigra - dopaminergic neurons degenerate
Which basal ganglion is affected in Huntington’s disease?
Damage to striatum(caudate and putamen)
Where is the red nucleus?
Above the substantia nigra
Which circuits do the basal ganglia play a part in?
Motor
Limbic
Oculomotor
Name some illnesses associated with basal ganglia?
Parkinson’s
Huntington’s
Tourette’s
Describe Huntington’s and Parkinson’s in terms of dopamine.
Parkinson’s - not enough dopamine
Huntington’s - too much dopamine
