Basal Ganglia Flashcards
(13 cards)
What nuclei form the basal ganglia?
Caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
Modulate movement, motor learning, habit formation
What are the input and output pathways of the basal ganglia?
Input from cortex; output to thalamus and brainstem
How do the direct and indirect basal ganglia pathways influence movement?
Direct pathway facilitates movement; indirect pathway inhibits movement
What causes Parkinson’s Disease symptoms in terms of basal ganglia pathways?
Dopamine loss leads to underactivity of direct and overactivity of indirect pathway → bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor
Where is the substantia nigra located?
In the midbrain.
Which basal ganglia structure is most affected in Parkinson’s disease?
The substantia nigra.
What neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson’s disease?
Dopamine.
What is bradykinesia?
Slowness of movement, a hallmark of Parkinson’s.
What type of movement disorder is Huntington’s disease?
A hyperkinetic disorder caused by basal ganglia degeneration.
What is the role of the globus pallidus?
Regulates voluntary movement via thalamic inhibition.
Which tract connects the basal ganglia to the motor cortex?
The thalamocortical tract.
What effect does the indirect pathway have on movement?
It inhibits movement by suppressing motor cortex activity.
