Lecture 12 - Contributions of Cerebellum and Basal Nuclei to Motor Function II

Question 1

What are the different regions of the paired nuclei?

L12 S4

Answer 1

Striatum:
-caudate nucleus
-putamen
Globes pallidus
Substantia nigra
Subthalamc nucleus

Question 2

What is the Putamen circuit of the basal nuclei?

L12 S11-13

Answer 2

Direct pathway

-overall excitatory

The internal globus pallidus (IGP) and substantia nigra compacta normally inhibit the thalamic relay.

Activation of the putamen by the cerebral cortex or susbstantia nigra compacta causes inhibition of IPG/SubNigRet allowing for activation of the thalamic relay

Question 3

What is athetosis?

L12 S16

Answer 3

Spontaneous writhing movements of a hand, arm, neck, or face

Results from lesions in the globus pallidus

Question 4

What is hemiballismus?

L12 S16

Answer 4

Sudden flailing movements of an entire limb

Results from lesions in the subthalamic nuclei

Question 5

What is chorea?

L12 S16

Answer 5

Flicking movements in hands, face, or elsewhere

Result of lesions in the striatum

Also occurs in patients with Huntington’s

Question 6

In what region are lesions associated with Parkinson’s?

L12 S17

Answer 6

Destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.

Overall results in inhibition