Basal Ganglia and Cerebellar Disorders of Movement

Question 1

The basal ganglia is comprised of three structures.. What are they?

Answer 1

Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus Pallidus

Question 2

What is the role of cerebellum in movement?

Answer 2

Coordination of ongoing movement

Question 3

What is the role of the basal ganglia in movement?

Answer 3

Selection / initiation of voluntary movements

Question 4

What are the effects of damage to the cerebellum, on movement?

Answer 4

Jerky, uncoordinated and inaccurate movements (ataxia)

Question 5

Of UMNs and LMNs, the basal ganglia and cerebellum can only modify signals of which?

Answer 5

UMNs only

Question 6

What are the effects of damage to the basal ganglia, on movement?

Answer 6

Uncontrolled movements at rest and difficulty initiating movement

Question 7

The cerebellum has folded ridges called?

Answer 7

Folia

Question 8

The centre of the cerebellum is called?

Answer 8

Vermis

Question 9

The cerebellum has Comparator Function - what is this?

Answer 9

Detection of difference in “motor error”, i.e. between intended / actual movements

Question 10

The cerebellum has Motor memory - what is this?

Answer 10

Storage of learned movements, from conscious movements to unconscious movements

Question 11

The cerebellum can be divided into three sections based on sources on input. They are..?

Answer 11

Cerebrocerebellum (outer)
Spinocerebellum (inner)
Vestibulocerebellum (posterior)

Question 12

The cerebellum is attached to the brainstem by..?

Answer 12

Stalks called cerebellar peduncles

Question 13

What are the names for the cerebellar peduncles? Are they efferent or afferent pathways?

Answer 13

Superior (Efferent from cerebrellum)
Middle (Afferent from pons)
Inferior (Efferent and Afferent)

Question 14

What are the major output structures in the cerebellum?

Answer 14

Deep cerebellar nuclei

Question 15

The vestibulocerebellum projects impulses to which deep cerebellar nuclei?

Answer 15

Fastigial nucleus

Question 16

The spinocerebellum projects impulses to which deep cerebellar nuclei?

Answer 16

Interposed & Fastigial nucleus

Question 17

The cerebrocerebellum projects impulses to which deep cerebellar nuclei?

Answer 17

Dentate nucleus

Question 18

In the cerebellum, the input cell types are…? (2)

Answer 18

Climbing fibres

Mossy fibres

Question 19

In the cerebellum, the output cell type is..? (1)

Answer 19

Purkinje fibres

Question 20

In the cerebellum, the interneuron cell type is..? (4)

Answer 20

Granule cells
Stellate cells
Golgi cells
Basket cells

Question 21

What are the three layers of the cerebellum?

Answer 21

Molecular layer
Purkinje layer
Granule layer

Question 22

Which input fibres of the cerebellum carry error signals?

Answer 22

Climbing fibres

Question 23

Purkinje cells use which neurotransmitter?

Answer 23

GABA (inhibitory)

Question 24

Granule interneurones in the cerebellum receive input from which input cells?

Answer 24

Mossy fibres

Question 25

Damage to the cerebellum always shows as movement errors on which side?

Answer 25

Same side as damage (ipsilateral)

Question 26

Alcohol causes damage particularly to which part of the cerebellum?

Answer 26

Anterior cerebellum (lower limb movement)

Question 27

What is the striatum? What is it comprised of?

Answer 27

Input zone, made up of Caudate nucleus and Putamen

Question 28

What is the pars reticulata? What is it comprised of?

Answer 28

Output zone, made up of Globus pallidus and substantia nigra

Question 29

Input into the basal ganglia via the striatum occurs via which 2 pathways? Via which neurotransmitters?

Answer 29

Corticostriatal pathway, via Glutamate

Nigrostriatal pathway, via Dopamine

Question 30

The nigrostriatal pathway of the basal ganglia can be organised into two pathways, what are they called and what receptors do they use?

Answer 30

Direct (Excitatory) Pathway: D1

Indirect (Inhibitory) Pathway: D2

Question 31

Discuss the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 31

Death of cells in substantia nigra, causing reduced excitation of D1 direct pathway and reduced inhibition of D2 indirect pathway.

Question 32

Treatments of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 32

L-DOPA
Dopamine agonists
Foetal cell transplants
Deep brain stimulation

Question 33

Aside from Parkinson’s, state 2 other cerebellar disorders of movement

Answer 33

Huntington’s disease

Hemiballismus