Basal Ganglion Flashcards
What 2 histologically similar structures make up the striatum?
- Caudate nucleus
- Putamen
What is the function of the striatum?
Motor control
What 2 structures make up the globus pallidus?
- Internal/ external globus palldius
What is the efferent limb of the basal ganglion?
Globus pallidus
What is the afferent limb of the basal ganglion?
Striatum
What structures make up the lenticular nucleus?
- Putamen
- Globus pallidus
What substance is produced in the substantia nigra?
Dopamine
What 2 structures make up the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus?
- Pars compacta (PPPNc)
- Pars dissipata (PPPNd)
What neurotransmitter is utilized in the pars compacta?
Acetylcholine
What neurotransmitter is utilized in the pars dissipata?
Gluatamte
What functions does the peduncolopontine tegmental nucleus play?
Postural control and locomotion in the absence of dopamine
What does the ventral tegmental area synthesize?
Dopamine
What chemicals influence the ventral tegmental area? What receptors do they act on?
Endorphins act on opiate receptors
What structure does the ventral tegmental area’s axons project to?
The Nucleus Accumbens
What 2 neurotransmitters are balanced by the nucleus accumbens? What is the function of each in the “reward circuit”?
Dopamine: Desire
Serotonin: Safety and inhibition
Which cortex acts as a relay in the reward circuit?
Prefrontal cortex
What is the function of the basal ganglion?
Smooths integration of emotions, thoughts, and physical movements
What is the “Action Selection Hypothesis”?
- Basal ganglion determines which of the potential actions generated by the cerebrum will be acted upon with dopamine acting as the reward system to influence future actions
What is the function of the direct pathway?
Promotes execution of correct execution and sequencing of motor command
What is the function of the indirect pathway?
Suppresses commands of movements opposing the correct movement, and turns down motor groups when it is not their turn in the sequence of events
Describe the direct pathway.
- Cortex facilitates the inhibitory neurons of the striatum
- Striatum inhibits the inhibitory neurons of the internal/ medial globus pallidus
- Thalamus disinhibited by striatums action of IGO
- Thalamus stimulates the motor cortex
- Motor cortex simulates contralateral lower motor neuron
What is the overall effect of the direct pathway?
Motor thalamus disinhibited, facilitating the motor cortex
How does the internal globus pallidus reach the VA-VL motor nuclei of the thalamus?
Via the Ansa lenticularis nad lenticular fasciculus
How does the motor cortex reach the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord?
Via the lateral corticospinal tract
Describe the indirect pathway.
- Cortex stimulates inhibitory neurons of the striatum
- Striatum inhibits the inhibitory neurons of the external globus pallidus
- Subthalamic nucleus is disinhibited by the striatum acting on the EGP
- Subthalamic nucleus facilitates the inhibitory neurons of the internal globus pallidus
- Internal globus pallidus inhibits the motor thalamus (via the ansa lenticulars and lenticular fasciculus
- Thalamus sends a decreased drive to the motor cortex and contralateral lower motor neuron
What neurotrasmitter facilitates most of the basal ganglion? What structure does not utilize this NT for facilitation?
- Glutamate
- Substantia nigra ultilizes dopamine
What neurotransmitter inhibits most of the basal ganglion? What connection has an added NT?
- GABA
- Striatum to globus pallidus utilizes Enkephalin
What connections int he direct pathways are tonically active?
- Subthalamus to internal globus pallidus
- Internal globus pallidus to thalamus
At what level of conciousness does the basal ganglion function?
Sub-voluntary/ automatic/ sub-concious
What 2 structures modulate pathways in the basal ganglion? What neurotransmitter is utilized by each?
- Substantia nigra (dopamine)
- Striatal interneurons (ACh)