Ebner -- Basal Ganglia

Question 1

A 26 YO white male devleops uncontrolled (involuntary) movements of the limbs, body, and trunk that are progressively geting worse. Some loss of cognitive function is seen and father had similar disease but later onset. What does he have?

Answer 1

Huntington’s disease

Question 2

What are the four major components of the basal ganglia?

Answer 2

1. Neostriatum (receives major inputs)
2. Globus pallidus (outputs)
3. Substantia Nigra
4. Subthalamic Nucleus

Question 3

The neotriatum receives input for the basal ganglia. What cells receive this input?

Answer 3

spiny neurons (also primary output neurons)

Most use GABA as their transmitter (2 groups):

1. GABA/substance P (SP)
2. GABA/enkephalin (ENK)