Motor Learning and Neurological Syndromes Flashcards
Which part of the brain is responsible for voluntary movement?
Primary motor cortex
What is the pathway for voluntary movement messages?
Primary motor cortex of brain via upper motor neuron - synapsing in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord with a lower motor neuron.
Lower motor neuron then synapses with muscle and innervates it.
Which spinal tract do upper motor neurons run in?
Corticospinal tract
Which Brodman area is the primary motor cortex?
4
Which Brodman area is the supplementary motor area?
6
Which Brodman area is the posterior parietal cortex?
5 & 7
What is a tumour of the meninges called?
Meningioma
What are the following signs of?
- Weakness
- Spasticity
- Brisk reflexes
- Babinski sign
- Patient maintains posture
Upper motor neuron disorder
What is the difference between spasticity and rigidity?
Both are forms of hypertonia.
Spasticity is characterized by a sudden increase in muscle tone, occurring at a threshold velocity, angle, or amplitude; while rigidity is characterized by a high muscle tone that remains throughout the range of movement of the joint.
What is the Babinski sign?
Stimulating the lateral border of the foot results in big toe curling upwards, and if severe fanning outwards of the toes.
Normal reaction would be for the big toe to curl inwards.
What is the most common cause of upper motor neuron problems?
Stroke
What are the following signs of:
- Weakness
- Wasting of muscles
- Fasciculations
- Reduction in tone
- Reduced reflexes
Lower motor neuron disorder
In planning a movement - which areas of the brain determine the following:
(1) What you are going to do (strategy)
(2) How you are going to do it (tactics)
(3) Doing it (execution of movement)
(1). Neocortex & Basal ganglia
(2) Motor cortex & Cerebellum
(3). Brainstem & spinal cord
How are the higher cortical regions involved in movement?
They plan the movement - so take in proprioceptive information, formulate a couse of action using memories and relay to the motor action systems to implement.
Which lobe stores our auditory & visual perceptions and memories?
Temporal lobe
Which part of the brain plans the movements?
Pre-frontal cortex
How do messages move from the pre-frontal cortex to the spinal tract?
They pass from the prefrontal cortex to the following:
- Premotor cortex
- Supplementary motor area
- Primary motor cortex
- Sends messages down the corticospinal tract
Which part of the brain is responsible for telling us where our body is in space and surroundings?
The posterior parietal cortex
Where does the posterior parietal cortex receive information from in terms of proprioception?
From
- Spinothalamic tract
- Dorsal columns via thalamus
- Visual afferents
Where does information from the posterior parietal cortex go to?
The pre-motor area (then to supplementary motor are followed by primary motor cortex).
How can you tell if a Patient has a posterior parietal cortex problem?
There is neglect of mental images - P is able to perceive but not attend to the information. (E.g. RHS lesion can neglect LHS in shapes - see photo).
What two areas is the premotor area (6) divided into?
Lateral premotor cortex (PMC)
Medial supplementary motor area (SMA)
What does the premotor area do?
Takes in information from posterior parietal cortex AND pre-frontal cortex - and then feeds this information to the motor region to allow activation of the correct neurons for the correct muscles.
What two areas does the lateral premotor cortex receive information from?
The posterior parietal cortex AND cerebellum
