LECTURE 10

Question 1

Describe how the direct pathway in the basal ganglia facilitates voluntary movement. Include in your answer a schematic drawing of this pathway with all relevant structures in there.

Answer 1

DIRECT PATHWAY: Cortex > Excitation striatum > Inhibition GPi & SNr > less inhibition thalamus > More activation cortex (movement)

Question 2

Describe how Parkinson’s Disease affects the direct pathway and what type of symptoms are the result hereof.

Answer 2

Direct pathway: Excitation striatum > LESS inhibition Gpi > MORE inhibition thalamus >LESS activation cortex
Negative symptoms: * Disorder posture & locomotion * Bradykinesia * Hypokinesia

Question 3

Describe how forearm (below elbow) amputation in humans affects the organization of limbs in M1 measured by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Use in your answer the following terminology: MEP and EMG.

Answer 3

The part of M1 that were before amputation used for the forearm are now being used for the deltoid muscle this was measured using EMG by measuring MEPS that were elicited by using transcranial magnetic stimulation on different parts of the skull.