Basal Ganglia, Motor Programs, and Learning Mechanisms Flashcards
What is the basal ganglia?
A group of brain structures involved in motor control, muscle memory, and learning.
Which structures make up the basal ganglia circuit?
Cerebral cortex, striatum, globus pallidus, thalamus, and midbrain.
What kind of movements does the basal ganglia help control?
Learned and automatic motor sequences.
What role does the striatum play in the basal ganglia circuit?
Receives input and sends it to the globus pallidus.
What does the globus pallidus do?
Sends inhibitory output to the thalamus.
How does the thalamus contribute to the basal ganglia loop?
Sends excitatory signals back to the cortex to influence motor planning.
What structure releases dopamine into the nucleus accumbens and PFC?
Ventral tegmental area (VTA).
What is the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?
From VTA to nucleus accumbens — involved in ‘liking.’
What is the mesocortical dopamine pathway?
From VTA to prefrontal cortex — involved in learning and pattern detection.
What is the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway?
From substantia nigra to dorsal striatum — regulates motor control.
What do substantia nigra neurons contain that gives them a dark color?
Melanin.
What analogy is used to describe dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway?
Like oil in a car — less dopamine means more ‘friction’ in movement.
How does dopamine loss over time affect the brain?
Decreases motor function, especially in diseases like Parkinson’s.
What kind of movements does the basal ganglia help automate?
Motor programs like signing your name or riding a bike.
Why is it easier to recall content when drawing instead of typing?
Drawing uses more unique motor programs, strengthening memory via basal ganglia.
What happens when you try to sign your name with your non-dominant hand?
The same motor program is used, but the execution is less precise.
How does the brain internally reward practice and improvement?
Through prediction error dopamine bursts when success exceeds expectation.
What structure is heavily involved in recognizing prediction errors?
The prefrontal cortex (PFC).
