Neurobiological Pathways and Circuits involved in Motor Control (ALS/MND) Flashcards

1
Q

Role of upper motor neurons in motor execution?

A

Executing voluntary movements

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2
Q

How are upper motor neurons involved in executing voluntary movements?

A

They transmit signals to lower motor neurons–> ensures precise muscle activation and coordination during complex motor tasks

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3
Q

How is sensory feedback integrated into motor action?

A

Upper and lower motor neurons integrate sensory feedback with motor commands

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4
Q

What is a neural circuit?

A

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

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5
Q

Neural circuit components?

A

Receptor in skin–> afferent nerve–> SC–> efferent nerve–> effector organ

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6
Q

Main roles of neural circuits?

A

Information processing, adapting to new experiences, coordination of complex behaviours

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7
Q

Which type of organs take input in a neural circuit?

A

Sensory organs

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8
Q

Which type of neurons are responsible for output in neural circuits?

A

Effector organs

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9
Q

What is a neural pathway?

A

A series of connected neurons that transmit signals from one part of the nervous system to another

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10
Q

Two kinds of tracts in neural pathways?

A

Pyramidal tracts and extrapyramidal tracts

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11
Q

Where do pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts transmit motor commands from?

A

Brain

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12
Q

Where do pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts transmit motor commands to (directly and also ultimately)?

A

Spinal cord, eventually to muscles

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13
Q

Difference in structure between neural circuits and neural pathways?

A

Neural circutis involve multiple layers of neurons with feedback loops while neural pathways are more linear

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14
Q

Difference between neural circuits and neural pathways in terms of self regulation?

A

Neural circuits have feedback loops whereas neural pathways dont

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15
Q

What do feedback loops in neural circuits allow for?

A

Dynamic interactions and adjustments based on inputs

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16
Q

Difference between neural circuits and neural pathways in terms of what is done with/to the data?

A

Neural circuits are involved in processing the data whereas neural pathways are involved in transmitting signals without processing

17
Q

Difference in specificity between neural circuits and neural pathways?

A

Neural circuits are specialised for a task (reflexes etc) whereas neural pathways are not dedicated to specific tasks, and instead serve broader functions

18
Q

Difference between neural circuits and neural pathways in the symptoms that occur as a result of damage to them?

A

Neural circuit dysfunction leads to neurological disorders whereas neural pathway damage can lead to sensory deficits

19
Q

Examples of neurological disorders that can come about as a result of neural circuit dysfunction?

A

Huntingtons and Parkinsons

20
Q

Efferent pathway in motor control directiom?

A

Travels from the brain, through the motor neurons, to the descending portions and then the lower motor neurons transmit the commands to the effector organs

21
Q

What kind of tract is responsible for voluntary movements?

A

Pyramidal tract

22
Q

Where does the pyramidal tract begin and end?

A

Begins in the cortex, ends in the spinal cord

23
Q

What are the two types of pyramidal tracts?

A

Lateral corticospinal tract and anterior corticospinal tract

24
Q

What are the different extrapyramidal tracts?

A

Rubrospinal, reticulospinal, olivospinal, vestibulospinal

25
Q

What kind of tract is responsible for involuntary movements?

A

extrapyramidal

26
Q

What are the two main classes of descending pathways (tracts)?

A

Pyramidal and extrapyramidal

27
Q

What are the main ascending pathways?

A

Dorsal column medial lemniscus system, spinocerebellar tracts, anterolateral system

28
Q

Where does the anterolateral system run from and to?

A

SC to thalamus

29
Q

Four types of neural citcuit?

A

Local circuit, upper motor neurons circuit, cerebellum, basal ganglia

30
Q

What is in the local circuits?

A

Consist of the SC (especially grey matter), lower motor neurons, local circuit neurons

31
Q

Where does the upper motor neurons circuit run from and to?

A

From the brain to the SC

32
Q

Main functions of local circuits?

A

Coordination of the reflex action, and basic control–> coordinates movements related w/ SC

33
Q

Which pathway do local circuits use?

A

Spinal reflex pathways and descending pathways from upper motor neurons

34
Q

Which diseases are associated with local circuit dysfunction?

A

MS, Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, traumatic SC injury

35
Q
A