Basal Ganglia (Task 1)

Question 1

Dorsal striatum contents

Answer 1

Caudate Nucleus

Putamen

Question 2

Contents of lentifom nucleus

Answer 2

Globus Pallidus

Putamen

Question 3

Role of caudate nucleus

Answer 3

Integration of spatial info with motor behaviour

Speed, accuracy, posture

Question 4

Role of putamen

Answer 4

Connects to other structures to influence motor planning, learning, execution and preparation

Question 5

Role of globus pallidus

Answer 5

Regulates voluntary movement

Inhibits thalamus via GABA to prevent unwanted movement

Question 6

Role of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpR)

Answer 6

Modulation of dopamine activity in pars compacta
Release of inhibitory GABA to modulate thalamus
Inhibition of movement

Question 7

Role of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpC)

Answer 7

Excitatory input to striatum via D1

Initiation of movement

Question 8

Basal Ganglia structures affected in parkinsons

Answer 8

Substatia nigra pars compactor is knocked out
D1 depletion 
Indirect pathway becomes dominant 
Thalamus and cortex less excitable 
Harder to initiate movement

Question 9

Areas of basal ganglia impacted by Huntington’s chorea

Answer 9

Macroscopic changes to striatum and substantia nigra