Basal Nuclei Review Flashcards
What are the two other structures commonly associated with basal nuclei?
pedunculopontine nucleus
nucleus accumbens
Where is the pedunculopontine nucleus located?
in the brainstem just caudal to the substantia nigra
The pedunculopontine nucleus is part of which two things?
ARAS and a part of the descending connections through the reticulospinal tracts to LMNs
Nucleus accumbens aka?
ventral striatum
The nucleus accumbens is densely interconnected with which system?
the limbic system
What pathway is the nucleus accumbens a part of?
mesolimbic reward pathway
What are some disorders that affect the basal ganglia? What do they often affect? What are symptoms?
Parkinson’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease.
Often affect multiple loops which makes the person present with motor, cognitive, and emotional symptoms
What is the key to basal nuclei function in motor activities?
disinhibition
Thalamocortical (VA/VL to motor cortex) projections are ____.
excitatory (glutaminergic)
VA/VL projections are tonically inhibited (GABAnergic) by what structures?
globus pallidus and substantia nigra reticulata
Direct pathway is _______ to movement
excitatory
Indirect pathway is _____ to movement.
inhibitory
