Lecture 17

Question 1

Generally, lesions to the cerebellum and basal ganglia…

Answer 1

Do not paralyze the patient

Difficulties involve initiating and modulating movements

Question 2

Major inputs of cerebellum

Answer 2

Pass through the peduncles
Superior (Brachium conjunctivum)
Middle (Brachium pontis)
Intferior (Restiform body)

Question 3

Major output of the cerebellum

Answer 3

Come from the deep nuclei (three per hemisphere)
Fastigial
Interposed
Dentate

Question 4

Vestibulocerebellum

Answer 4

Receives visual input and input from brainstem

Balance and coordinating eye movements

Question 5

Spinocerebellum

Answer 5

Needed for smooth movements

Particularly alcohol sensitive

Question 6

Cerebrocerebellum

Answer 6

Evolutionarily new

Complex movements, planning and executing movements

Question 7

Functions of the cerebellum

Answer 7

Error correction
Timing (oscillations, tremor)
Learning (classical conditioning)

Question 8

Basal ganglia circuit + role of dopamine

Answer 8

Input is through the Striatum (caudate and putamen nuclei)
Output is through the Pallidum (internal Gpi and external Gpe)
Direct route: Cortex to Striatum to Gpi to Thalamus
Indirect route: Cortex to striatum to Gpe to Gpi to Thalamus
Substantia nigra provides dopamine to the striatum, which excites the direct pathway and inhibits the indirect pathway

Question 9

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 9

Damage to direct pathway
Increases inhibition of thalamus
Difficulty initiating motion

Question 10

Huntington’s disease

Answer 10

Damage to indirect pathway
Decreases inhibition of thalamus
Too much movement

Question 11

Abulia

Answer 11

Lack of will or initiative
Motivation disorder
Lack of social interaction