Movement Disorders

Question 1

Compare the traditional and modern views of the motor system.

Answer 1

• Traditional = discrete somatotopy (point to point layout of motor cortex representations of joints and muscles revealed by volitional flexion-extension movements)
• Modern = functional somatotopy (balance between discrete and distributed cortical structures that are revealed by complex movements involving preplanning, error detection, and correction)

Question 2

Name the two areas involved in mediating avoidance type body movements

Answer 2

• ventral intraparietal area

- precentral gyrus

Question 3

Compare and contrast the direct and indirect pathways of movement.

Answer 3

Direct:

• Involves basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus) and substantia nigra (pars reticula)
• facilitates initiation and execution of voluntary movement

Indirect:

• Involves BG, which passes through the sub thalamic nucleus and enters the substantial nigra
• sends inhibitory signals to the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus via GABA
• Reduces signals to cortical motor regions, which reduces muscle action

Question 4

What are the 3 executive functions most susceptible to age-related decline?

Answer 4

1. Spatial WM
2. Set-shifting
3. Planning

Question 5

What are hypokinetic movement disorders? Name the 3 different types.

Answer 5

• Hypokinetic = a paucity of movement

Types:

• Akinesia: Reduction in frequency of voluntary movement
• Hypokinesia: Slowing in initiation of movement
• Bradykinesia: Slowing of execution of movement

Question 6

List the 10 types of hyperkinetic movements

Answer 6

1. Tremor
2. Chorea
3. Ballismus
4. Dystonia
5. Tic
6. Athetosis
7. Dyskinesia
8. Myoclonus
9. Fasciculation
10. Parkinsonism

Question 7

What are the 3 types of cerebellar ataxia? What symptoms do each produce?

Answer 7

1. Vestibulocerebellum: Impaired balance and eye movements
2. Cerebrocerebellum: Difficulties with voluntary movements of extremities
3. Spinocerebellum: Wide based gait, dysmetria