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Neuroscience > Neural Circuits > Flashcards

Neural Circuits Flashcards

1
Q

Pyramidal (corticospinal) tract

A

Main pathway for voluntary movement control

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2
Q

Upper Motor Neurons

A

Originate in the cerebral cortex or brainstem with lower motor neurons
Voluntary movement

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3
Q

Corticobulbar Tract

A

Connects the cerebral cortex to the brainstem nuclei of cranial nerves
Controls voluntary movements of muscles in the face, head and neck.

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4
Q

Lower Motor Neurons

A

Connect UMNs to skeletal muscles, forming motor units
Voluntary and involuntary

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5
Q

Reflex Arc

A

Bypasses the brain
Involves sensory neurons, spinal cord and motor neurons
Produces rapid, automatic responses
Involuntary

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6
Q

Neural Circuit

A

Network of interconnected neurons that process specific types of information to carry out particular functions when activated

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7
Q

Functions of neural circuits

A
  • process various types of information
  • adapt to new experiences
  • coordinate complex behaviors
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8
Q

Neural pathways in motor control

A

Pyramidal tracts
Extrapyramidal tracts

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9
Q

Pyramidal and Extrapyramidal tracts transmit motor commands from the _ to the _ to the _

A

Brain, spinal cord, muscles

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10
Q

How are neural circuits laid out?

A

Multiple layers of neurons with feedback loops.
Allows for dynamic interactions and adjustments

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11
Q

What are neural circuits involved in?

A

Processing and integrating information
Allowing for complex responses

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12
Q

Are neural circuits specialised or do they serve broader functions?

A

Each neural circuit is often specialised for a particular task.
Adapting its output based on the context

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13
Q

What happens if there is dysfunction in neural circiuts?

A

Various neurological conditions

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14
Q

Layout of Neural Pathways

A

More linear than circuits
Consisting of direct connects that do not typically involve feedback mechanisms

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15
Q

What is the primary focus of neural pathways?

A

Transmitting signals between different regions without significant processing

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16
Q

Are neural pathways specialised or do they serve broader functions?

A

Serve broader functions related sensory input or motor input without being dedicated to specific tasks

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17
Q

What happens if there is damage to neural pathways?

A

Damage to specific pathways can lead to sensory deficits.

18
Q

The neural circuits responsible for the control of movement can be divided into …

A

Four distinct, highly interactive subsystems:
* Local circuits
* Upper motor neurons circuit
* Cerebellar circuits
* Basal ganglia circuits

19
Q

Location of local circuits

A

Within the grey matter of the spinal cord

20
Q

Components of local circuits

A

Lower motor neurons
Local circuit neurons

21
Q

Function of local circuits

A

Responsible for reflex actions and basic motor control, coordinating movements at the level of the spinal cord

22
Q

Pathways used by local circuits

A

Spinal reflex pathways
They receive inputs from sensory pathways and descending pathways from upper motor neurons

23
Q

Diseases associated with local circuits

A

Multiple sclerosis
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Traumatic spinal cord injury

24
Q

Location of upper motor neurons circuit

A

Primarily in motor cortex, premotor cortex and brainstem nuclei

25
Q

Components of upper motor neurons circuit

A

Neurons with cell bodies in brainstem or cerebral cortex
axons descending to synapse with local circuit neurons

26
Q

Function of upper motor neurons circuit

A

Initiation of voluntary movements, control of complex movement

27
Q

Pathways connected to upper motor neurons circuit

A

Corticospinal Tract
Corticobulbar Tract
Corticorubal, Corticotectal and Corticoreticular Tracts

28
Q

Corticospinal tract

A

Directly connects the primary motor cortex to spinal cord lower motor neurons.

29
Q

Corticobulbar Tract

A

Connects the motor cortex to cranial nerve nuclei in the brainstem for facial and neck muscle control.

30
Q

Corticorubral, Corticotectal, and Corticoreticular Tracts

A

Modulate other
pathways like rubrospinal, tectospinal, and reticulospinal tracts

31
Q

Diseases associated with upper motor neurons circuit

A

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)
Stroke

32
Q

Location of cerebellar circuits

A

In the cerebellum at the back of the brain

33
Q

Function of the cerebellar circuits

A

Detects and corrects motor error between intended and performed movements

34
Q

Circuit of the cerebellar circuits

A

Acts via afferent pathways to upper motor neurons

35
Q

Pathways connected to the cerebellar circuits

A

Receives inputs from various sensory systems (via pontine nuclei) and sends outputs to upper motor neurons via thalamic relay nuclei

36
Q

Diseases associated with Cerebellar circuits

A

Cerebellar ataxia
Some symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
Huntington’s disease

37
Q

Location of basal ganglia circuits

A

Embedded in the depths of the forebrain

38
Q

Function of basal ganglia circuits

A

Regulates initiation and inhibition of movement
Involved in action selection and learning motor skills
Suppresses unwanted movements
Primes upper motor neuron circuits for movement initiation

39
Q

Pathways connected to the Basal ganglia circuits

A

The striatum sends output to both the direct pathway (facilitating movement) and indirect pathway (inhibiting unwanted movements) affecting thalamic activity that influences upper motor neurons.
Corticostriatal pathway is interconnected with the cortex for feedback loops

40
Q

Diseases associated with the basal ganglia circuits

A

Parkinson’s
Huntington’s

41
Q

Myotatic Reflex Mechanism:

A

Neural circuit where muscle spindle afferents detect stretch and directly activate alpha motor neurons, resulting in muscle contraction.
This rapid response is crucial for maintaining posture and balance, demonstrating the efficiency of spinal reflex pathways in motor control.

42
Q

Baroreceptor Reflex Functionality:

A

Integration of sensory input and autonomic motor output
Baroreceptors in blood vessels detect pressure changes and modulate heart rate and vascular resistance.
This reflex is vital for cardiovascular stability, ensuring adequate blood flow during physical activity and stress

Neuroscience (25 decks)

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