Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum Flashcards
T/F The basal ganglia and cerebellum directly influence lower motor neurons.
FALSE The basal ganglia and cerebellum do NOT directly influence lower motor neurons. They influence movement by regulating activity in upper motor neuron circuits.
Basal Ganglia
-most known for
Not ganglia
Definitely basal
*Most known for role in movement but functions not limited to movement
Parts of the Basal Ganglia
Striatum (aka corpus striatum): caudate and putamen
Pallidum: globus pallidus and substantia nigra (pars reticulata)
Pallidum:
-made up of ?
globus pallidus and substantia nigra (pars reticulata)
Main source of output from basal ganglia to other parts of brain
Where the medium spiny neurons send their axons
Striatum (aka corpus striatum):
-neurons
- caudate and putamen
- Main area of input
- Contains medium spiny neurons with large dendritic trees***
caudate and putamen make up
make up the Striatum (part of the basal ganglia)
Caudate:
-where sends projects?
sends projections to the substantia nigra pars reticulata (and internal portion of globus pallidus)
Putamen:
-where sends projections
Putamen: sends projections to the external and internal globus pallidus
what areas of the basal ganglia are defs true basal ganglia structure
- caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus ARE FOR SURE
Note: Not everyone agrees on which structures are a part of the basal ganglia or not. however they argree on the above
Input to Basal Ganglia
-mostly from cortex
- Nearly all regions of the cortex send direct projections to the striatum
- Therefore, the cortex is the largest source of input
- Mostly from association areas and the temporal, insular, and cingulate cortices
- Collectively refer to these pathways as the CORTICOSTRIATAL PATHWAY
*The cortical input to the caudate and putamen are NOT equal
*The cortical input to the caudate and putamen are NOT equal, explain
- Caudate receives projections mostly from multimodal association cortices and motor areas in the frontal lobe that control eye movement
- Putamen receives projections from the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices, extrastriate visual cortex, premotor and primary motor cortices, and auditory association areas
Multiple Parallel Pathways
- to the caudate and the putamen
*The caudate and putamen receive different streams of information from different regions of the cortex
*This suggest that the corticostriatal pathway is composed of multiple parallel pathways and that the caudate and putamen have different functional roles
The output from the caudate and putamen is also segregated, which reinforces this idea
*Some of the projections to the basal ganglia are topographically mapped (visual and somatosensory) and some are overlapped (those from more interconnected or association regions)
There are rostrocaudal bands of cells that seem to be concerned with different parts of the body and the movement of that part
Striatum: Patch and Matrix
*If you look for acetylcholinesterase (inactivator of acetylcholine), you see that there is compartmental organization of the striatum
*Patch: lightly stained
Makes up less of the striatum
Receives most of input from the prefrontal cortex
Caudate patches project mostly to the substantia nigra pars compacta (dopaminergic cells)
*Matrix: densely stained
-Makes up the bulk of the striatum
-Receives input from most of the regions of the cortex
-Projects mostly to globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata
see slide 11
Substantia Nigra
-the parts
*Pars compacta- most of DA neurons are from here; projects to basal ganglia and cortex
These are the cells containing neuromelanin that you see when looking at the brain specimens
*Pars reticulata- where the dendrites go to get info; GABAergic interneurons; projects to basal ganglia
Pars reticulata
-projects to:
- of the Substantia Nigra
* where the dendrites go to get info; GABAergic interneurons; projects to basal ganglia
Inputs to Striatum
information from the cortex:
or
From other inputs: from medium spiny neurons via axon collaterals, Local circuit interneurons in the striatum, Multiple brainstem nuclei, Midline and intralaminar nuclei of thalamus
explain how each medium spiny neuron can integrate the information from thousands of cortical cells
-inputs to striatum from the cortex
the other inputs, besides from the cortex to the striatum:
Local circuit interneurons in the striatum
Multiple brainstem nuclei (using biogenic amine neurotransmitters like histamine and serotonin)
Including the substantia nigra pars compacta (dopamine)
Midline and intralaminar nuclei of thalamus
Cortical and substantia nigra inputs synapse on the dendritic spines. Thalamic and local circuit synapses happen on the dendritic shaft or near the soma.
Better at modulating the activity that is induced or not by the cortical synapses
inputs to striatum from the cortex
Lots of glutamatergic input from corticocortical, corticothalamic, and corticospinal collaterals
Few contacts between each axon and each medium spiny neuron
One axon, however, makes contact with lots of medium spiny neurons and each medium spiny neuron receives input from lots of different axons
****Therefore, each medium spiny neuron can integrate the information from thousands of cortical cells
Nonspecific Nuclei
-probs involved in:
Many of the intralaminar nuclei and midline nuclei have diffuse projections to the cortex and have been termed “nonspecific”.
Project broadly to the cortex
Also project to more ‘nonspecific’ regions of the cortex
These nuclei are probably mostly involved in arousal and alertness.
Medium Spiny Neuron Activity
*Due to various Cell Neuro things (inward-rectifier potassium conductances), they rarely display spontaneous activity
*Almost always only activity right before and during movement
*Increase firing rate before movement (even by several seconds)
Putamen- discharge in anticipation of limb and trunk movements
Caudate- discharge in anticipation of eye movement
Some vary based on destination of movement
Overall, suggests that these cells encode the decision to move
Also fire again after a movement is complete
Usually another motor program will follow (reinstitution of stable posture)
_____ Neuron encode the decision to move
Medium Spiny Neuron
Due to various Cell Neuro things (inward-rectifier potassium conductances), they rarely display spontaneous activity
Almost always only activity right before and during movement
Involved in the planning process
Increase firing rate before movement (even by several seconds)
Putamen- discharge in anticipation of limb and trunk movements
Caudate- discharge in anticipation of eye movement
Some vary based on destination of movement
Overall, suggests that these cells encode the decision to move
Also fire again after a movement is complete
Usually another motor program will follow (reinstitution of stable posture)
Outflow of the basal ganglia
- Caudate –> substantia nigra pars reticulata –> superior colliculus (head and eye movements)
- Putamen –> external globus pallidus –> subthalamic nucleus –> internal globus pallidus (and substantia nigra)
- Putamen –> internal globus pallidus –> ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei of dorsal thalamus –> frontal cortex (premotor and primary motor)
Subthalamic nucleus:
receives input from motor areas of the cerebral cortex, projects to the substantia nigra, and is reciprocally connected with the globus pallidus.
Ventral Anterior Nucleus
*Receives most of input from the basal ganglia
Especially the medial globus pallidus and substantia nigra, parts reticulata.
Projects to premotor cortex including the supplementary motor area of the frontal lobes
**Involved in planning and initiating movements.
Ventral Lateral Nucleus
*Receives input from the CEREBELLUM
Small input from the basal ganglia to the rostral part of the VL, as well.
Projects to the primary motor area, area 4, of the precentral gyrus and also has a smaller projection to premotor areas.
*Thus involved in MOTOR FEEDBACK from the cerebellum and basal ganglia to the cerebral cortex
-Along with ventral anterior nucleus
**Coordination, planning, learning of movement
motor nucleus of the thalamus
Ventral Anterior Nucleus, Ventral Lateral Nucleus …. idk some other stuff?
Outflow- Disinhibition
- substantia nigra pars reticulata –> superior colliculus (head and eye movements)
- external globus pallidus –> subthalamic nucleus –> internal globus pallidus
- internal globus pallidus –> ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei of dorsal thalamus –> frontal cortex (premotor and primary motor)
The medium spiny neurons of the caudate and putamen release GABA onto their targets when they are excited by inputs
Inhibiting the inhibitors = disinhibition
Caudate –> substantia nigra pars reticulata –> superior colliculus (head and eye movements)
Putamen –> external globus pallidus –> subthalamic nucleus –> internal globus pallidus
Putamen –> internal globus pallidus –> ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei of dorsal thalamus –> frontal cortex (premotor and primary motor)
slide 23! look at the colors of the arrows
T/F Globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata lack spontaneous activity
FALSE
Globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata have lots of spontaneous activity
Are constantly and tonically inhibiting their target structures because they release GABA
(-caudate and putamen are NOT spontaneously active, have to wait to be activated)
explain the double GABA thing slide 24
Remember, in the absence of movement intention, the medium spiny neurons are silent
If you are not intending to move, you do not want to be moving
So the baseline state is inhibition of upper motor neuron circuitry
When you want to move, the medium spiny neurons get all firey and tell the inhibitory cells to stop it –> disinhibition of motor thalamus, superior colliculus, other things –> disinhibition of upper motor neurons movement permitted to occur
Also probably why the medium spiny neurons start getting active BEFORE you execute a movement
summarize the globus pallidus and movement
At Baseline:
Globus pallidus –> prevents movement by inhibiting the motor thalamus (which is fundamentally good)
Time to Move:
Cortex- “I like to move it, move it”
Striatum- “You like to move it, move it”
Globus pallidus- “If you insist… I will just be quiet.”
Motor thalamus- “I like to move it, move it”
Upper motor neurons: “I like to move it, move it”
Lower motor neurons: “I like to MOVE IT”
Globus pallidus at baseline
Globus pallidus –> holding back the movement party by inhibiting the motor thalamus (which is fundamentally good)
Globus pallidus at Time to Move:
Cortex- “I like to move it, move it”
Striatum- “You like to move it, move it”
Globus pallidus- “If you insist… I will just be quiet.”
Motor thalamus- “I like to move it, move it”
Upper motor neurons: “I like to move it, move it”
Lower motor neurons: “I like to MOVE IT”
summary of ouflow
*Superior colliculus- influence head and eye movements
Secondary influence on eye movement comes from substantia nigra pars reticulata connections to relay neurons in the mediodorsal and ventral anterior thalamic nuclei, which project to the frontal eye field regions of the premotor cortex
This connection through the thalamus is a mechanism to facilitate or suppress inputs to circuits of upper motor neurons
Circuits Within the Basal Ganglia - names
Direct Pathway and indirect pathway
Direct Pathway
- medium spiny neurons of striatum –> internal globus pallidus
JOB: release tonic inhibition of the thalamic neurons connected to upper motor neurons
Way for basal ganglia to initiate intentional movement
Indirect Pathway:
Indirect Pathway: select group of medium spiny neurons of striatum –> lateral division of globus pallidus (external segment)
External segment –> internal segment and subthalamic nucleus
Subthalamic nucleus also gets excitatory projections from cortex
Subthalamic nucleus –> internal segment of globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata
Indirect Pathway of the Basal ganglia
-job
Job: ANTAGONIZE the activity of the direct pathway to help open and shut the gates that start and stop movements
the direct and indirect pathways of the basal ganglia
- Subthalamic neurons use GLUTAMATE in their synapses with the globus pallidus and substantia nigra
- Activate indirect pathway –> excitation of globus pallidus and substantia nigra cells –> release GABA in response –> INCREASES INHIBITION WITHIN THE BASAL GANGLIA
Helps to:
Suppress competing motor programs
Select proper motor program
Still do not fully understand how this all works together
Direct and Indirect Pathways
Remember:
The caudate and putamen receive different streams of information from different regions of the cortex
The output from the caudate and putamen is segregated
Some of the projections to the basal ganglia are topographically mapped (visual and somatosensory) and some are overlapped (those from more interconnected or association regions)
There are rostrocaudal bands of cells that seem to be concerned with different parts of the body and the movement of that part
dopamine
-released by :
*Substantia nigra pars compacta cells release dopamine
Receive direct inputs from medium spiny neurons of striatum
Sends dopaminergic projections back to the medium spiny neurons
End result? Complex and depends on type of dopamine receptor expressed
*D1: increase cAMP and increases excitability (basically excitatory)
*D2: work with inhibitory G-proteins to decrease cAMP (basically inhibitory)
Receptors are on the shafts of the dendritic spines, which is a good place to modulate responses to cortical input
Dopamine to spiny cells that project to internal globus pallidus as part of the direct pathway is excitatory through D1
Dopamine to spiny cells that project to the external globus pallidus as part of the indirect pathway is inhibitory through D2
Substantia nigra pars compacta cells release ?
dopamine
Hypokinetic Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s disease:
Parkinson’s disease **
degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta
- Symptoms: bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity of neck and extremities, minimal facial expression. Hypokinetic = decreased voluntary movement
- Lose the effects of dopamine on movement (which was enhancing direct pathway and decreasing responsiveness of indirect pathway
- Direct pathway results in disinhibition of motor thalamus
- Indirect pathway reinforces inhibition of motor thalamus
- Results in abnormally high inhibitory outflow to the motor thalamus
Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders
Huntington’s disease is what type of movement disorder
Insufficient tonic output from pallidum –> unwanted movement
Huntington’s disease
- gradual onset of defects in behavior, cognition, and movement; genetic, progressive, and results in death
While it is a movement disorder, the first symptoms are usually an increase in irritability, suspiciousness, and/or impulsive behavior
Movement symptoms: rapid, jerky (“dancelike”) motions with no purpose; no weakness or ataxia
Selective atrophy of the caudate and putamen (medium spiny neurons), with some additional degeneration in the frontal and temporal cortices
External globus pallidus loses inhibitory input reduces subthalamic nucleus excitatory input to internal globus pallidus –> reduced inhibitory outflow
nickname for the cerebellum and why
The Little Brain:
-it is pretty big
*Approximately 10% of the brain’s volume
Contains over 50% of the total number of neurons in the brain
Is the cerebellum considered a motor structure
Yes, but she is confusing me
-Considered a motor structure
Motor Functions of the Cerebellum
- Maintenance of Balance and Posture
- Coordination of Voluntary Movements
Majority of the cerebellum’s outputs are to parts of the motor system.
Motor commands are not initiated in the cerebellum
The cerebellum MODIFIES the motor commands of the descending pathways to make movements more adaptive and accurate.
Motor Functions- Maintenance of Balance and Posture
Important for making postural adjustments in order to maintain balance.
Input from vestibular receptors and proprioceptors
Modulates commands to motor neurons to compensate for shifts in body position or changes in load upon muscles.