Basal Ganglia

Question 1

Basal Ganglia

Answer 1

Large areas of gray matter deep in the cerebrum (below the cortex):

Consists:
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Caudate nucleus
Substantia nigra
Subthalamic nucleus

Question 2

BG General Knowledge

Answer 2

BG nuclei do not initiate motor activity

BG nuclei refines motor commands that are sent from the cortex
Which area specifically?

Will help with reflex control and motor learning for skilled motor movements
Examples of skilled motor movements?

It has many connections to cortical and subcortical areas

Question 3

BG dysfunction

Answer 3

loss of precision and inhibitory control:

Examples of Dyskinesia:
Tremors - BG braking system – tremors occur at rest bc the BG isn’t controlling involuntary mvmnts - Once movemnt initiated – voluntary mvmnt – tremors subside

Chorea: 
Athetosis:
Dystonia:
Ballism:
Bradykinesia:
Hypokinesia:
Postural Disturbance:

BG typically related to involuntary motor mvmnt d/o
Cerebellum typically related to voluntary motor mvment

Question 4

Disorder

Answer 4

condition held together by a group of symptoms; etiology unknown

Question 5

Disease

Answer 5

collection of symptoms that has high level of etiology

Question 6

BG issues and mental health

Answer 6

There seems to be a high correlation

Depression with Parkinson Disease
Depression/Suicide risk with Huntington Chorea
Movements disorders and schizophrenia

Also….
A variety of motor disorders can result from neuroleptic medications

Question 7

Parkinson Disease

Answer 7

movement disorder characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor

caused by underactive dopamine secondary to degeneration in the substantia nigra

tx may induce schizophrenia - disorganized thoughts and confused language - caused by overactive production/ hypersensitivity of dopamine

Question 8

Huntington Chorea

Answer 8

hereditary, adult onset, chorea, subcortical dementia

striatal degeneration

Question 9

Wilson Disease

Answer 9

muscle rigidity, tremor, dysarthric speech, progressive dementia, corneal pigmentation

hepatolenticular degeneration secondary to impaired copper metabolism

Question 10

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Answer 10

PSP

similar to Parkinson’s - imbalance, bradykinesia, rigidity, supranuclear gaze palsy - no tremor - does not respond to Parkinson’s tx

Question 11

Dystonia:

Answer 11

is a movement disorder in which a person’s muscles contract uncontrollably. The contraction causes the affected body part to twist involuntarily, resulting in repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Dystonia can affect one muscle, a muscle group, or the entire body.

Question 12

Hypokinesia:

Answer 12

slow movements of smaller range

lesion site: substantia nigra

Parkinson’s

Question 13

Bradykinesia:

Answer 13

slowness of movement

lesion site: substantia nigra

Parkinson’s

Question 14

Ballism:

Answer 14

wild swinging movements that usually involve one side of the body

lesion site: subthalamic nucleus

stroke or denervation