Basal Ganglia

Question 1

What 3 structures help create the BG

Answer 1

Striatum, Globus Pallidus, Substantia Nigra, Subthalamic Nuclei

Question 2

What makes up the Striatum

Answer 2

Caudate and Putamen

Question 3

What are the 2 components of the Globus Pallidus

Answer 3

Internus (GPi) and Externus (GPe)

Question 4

What are the 2 components of the Substania Nigra

Answer 4

Pars Compacts (SNpc) and Pars Reticularis (SNpr)

Question 5

What are the 2 key functions for the BG

Answer 5

Initiation and execution of movement

Question 6

What does the BG help prevent

Answer 6

unwanted movements through inhibitory control

Question 7

What are the additional roles of the BG

Answer 7

Eye Movement Loop, Goal-Directed Behavior Loop, Social Behavior Loop, and Emotion Loop

Question 8

What are the Major Inputs to the Striatum

Answer 8

Cerebral Cortex, SNpc, Thalamus, Subcortical Structures

Question 9

Where is the majority of the cerebral cortex input coming from? and what are the exceptions?

Answer 9

Majority: frontal and parietal association areas

exception: Visual and Auditory Cortices

Question 10

What are the pathways called in regards to the cerebral cortex input to the striatum?

Answer 10

Corticostriatal pathways

Question 11

What are the major outputs from GP and SNPR

Answer 11

VL and VA nuclei pf thalamus, Intralaminar Nu of Thalamus, Mediodorisal Nu, Medullary & Pons Reticular Formation, Superior Colliculus

Question 12

Where are the VL and Va nu of the Thalamus going to project

Answer 12

entire frontal lobe

-majority to PriMC, premotor area and SMA

Question 13

Where is the Superior Colliculus going to project?

Answer 13

Eye movements BG loop

Question 14

Where is DA secreted in

Answer 14

SNpc and VTA

Question 15

What does the SNpc modulate in regards of DA

Answer 15

modulate striatum activity

• excitatory in the direct pathway
• inhibitory in the indirect pathway

Question 16

What does the dual effect of DA allow for?

Answer 16

powerful decrease in suppression of thalamus by BG –> further facilitation of movement

Question 17

What does ACH do in regards to DA and what causes the response

Answer 17

• inhibits DA when appropriate

- salient environment stimuli

Question 18

What is the relevance of GABA and Glutamate with BG

Answer 18

Primary NT in direct and indirect pathways

Question 19

What does the Oculomotor Loop control

Answer 19

higher control of eye movements - aids in spatial attention; initiate fast eye movements toward an object = saccadic movement

Question 20

What does the Goal-Directed Behavior Loop control

Answer 20

decision making; goal-directed behavior; planning action selection; learning

Question 21

What does the Social Behavior Loop control

Answer 21

recognize social cues’ regulate self-control; evaluates what information is relevant and irrelevant

Question 22

What does the Limbic/Emotion Loop control

Answer 22

links emotions to cognitive and motor systems; reward-seeking; outcome predictions