Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum Flashcards
What is represented in the motor cortical regions?
the primary motor area where the neurons represent simple mapping of muscles and the motor associations areas where the neurons represent functionally relevant movements and temporal patterns for complex movements
What are mirror neurons?
a neuron in the motor association area which activates when you see someone doing a movement and also activates when you do the same movement
What are the inputs to the primary motor cortex?
motor association areas, primary somatosensory cortex (sensation), posterior parietal areas (visuospatial map)
What are the inputs to the motor association cortex?
pre frontal (for planning) and posterior parietal areas (for visuospatial map)
What is the outcome of the what (ventral) and where (dorsal) pathway to the motor association cortex?
the what pathway will result in grasping and the where pathway will result in reaching
What are the functions of the basal ganglia?
allows selection of complex patterns of voluntary movements, evaluating the success of actions in achieving those goals, initiating movements
What structures make up the basal ganglia?
caudate nucleus, putamen, globus palidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra
What makes up the striatum?
caudate and putamen
What makes up the lentiform nucleus?
putamen and globus palidus
What shape is the caudate nucleus?
C shaped - so will often appear twice on a coronal section
Which nucleus in the basal ganglia makes melanin?
substantia nigra
Which part of the basal ganglia is in the midbrain?
substantia nigra
Which structure is affected in parkinsons?
substantia nigra
Which structures are affected in huntingtons?
caudate, putamen, globus pallidus
What is the function of the cerebellum?
coordinating the timing and sequence of muscle actions and movements, the maintenance of muscle tone, motor learning, planning sequences of muscle activation for complex movements, getting things right, smooth movements
What is the medial to lateral functional organisation of the cerebellum?
lateral does distal muscles
Which side of the body is affected by a unilateral cerebellar lesion?
the ipsilateral side
What is ataxia?
the inability to appropriately integrate and coordinate movement
What are the symptoms of anterior lobe syndrome (cerebellum)?
ataxic gait and loss of inter-limb coordination (heel-shin test)
What causes anterior lobe syndrome?
chronic ethanol toxicity
What are the symptoms of posterior lobe syndrome (cerebellum)?
dysmetria (misdirected trajectory), disdiadochokinesia (pronate and supinate hands rapidly), speech abnormality
What are the symptoms of flocculonodular lobe syndrome?
truncal ataxia
What part of the basal ganglia is the input?
the striatum - the caudate and putamen
Which part of the basal ganglia is the output?
the globus pallidus
Which side of the body do basal ganglia circuits effect?
the contralateral side
What are the two pathways in the basal ganglia and what are their effects?
the direct pathway which turns up movement and the indirect pathway which turns down movement
What neurotransmitters are involved in the basal ganglia?
dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA an glutamate
