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Basal Ganglia
Inputs/Outputs of neurons in basal ganglia
44
Science
Undergraduate 4
12/03/2008

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Term
Upper motor neuron
Definition
Neurons that originate in motor region of cerebral cortex or brain stem and carry motor info down a pathway. OR any motor neuron not responsible for direct stimulation of muscle
Term
Does the Basal Ganglia project directly to Spinal Cord?
Definition
No
Term
How does the basal ganglia influence movement?
Definition
By regulating the activity of upper motor neurons (as opposed to the spinal cord)
Term
What is the basal ganglia and where is it?
Definition
A large set of nuclei that lie deep within the cerebral hemispheres
Term
The basal ganglia is composed of what 3 main nuclei?
Definition
1. Caudate
2. Putamen
3. globus pallidus
Term
How do the 3 main nuclei, the substantia nigra, and the subthalamic nucleus work together?
Definition
They make a loop that links most areas of the cortex with upper motor neurons
Term
What is the role of the neurons that are connected to the basal ganglia?
Definition
They "supervise" motor movements. They are required for the normal course of voluntary movement
Term
What makes up the input zone of the basal ganglia?
Definition
the caudate and the putamen
Term
The corpus striatum is composed of what two main nuclei?
Definition
the caudate and the putamen
Term
What is the term for receiving neurons in the corticostriatal pathway?
Definition
Medium spiny neurons
Term
Where does the caudate receive input from?
Definition
1. from multimodal association corticies
2. motor areas from frontal lobe that control eye movements
Term
Where does the putamen receive input from?
Definition
1. primary and secondary somatic sensory cortex
2. extrastriate visual cortex in occipital and temporal lobes
3. premotor and motor cortex
4. auditory association areas in temporal lobe
Term
Are inputs to putamen and caudate inhibitory or excitatory?
Definition
they are excitatory glutamatergic
Term
Medium spiny neurons get info from what 5 places?
Definition
1. caudate
2. putamen
3. interneurons within striatum
4. thalamic neurons
5. dopaminergic nuclei
Term
Where do interneurons and thalamic neurons synapse?
Definition
near the dentritic shaft
Term
Are interneurons and thalamic neuronse excitatory or inhibitory?
Definition
inhibitory
Term
Why are medium spiny neurons usually silent?
Definition
because they need a lot of input in order to rise above threshold
Term
When do medium spiny neurons tend to fire?
Definition
In anticipation of movement
Term
Pudamen is associated with .... movements and caudate is associated with .... movements
Definition
body, eye
Term
In the direct pathway, MSNs of caudate and putamen give rise to what kind of projections?
Definition
inhibitory GABAnergic
Term
In the direct pathway, MSNs of caudate and putamen give rise to inhibitory GABAnergic projections that terminate where?
Definition
Globus Pallidus (external and internal segments) and a region of the substantia nigra called the pars reticula
Term
What is the Globus Pallidus?
Definition
a pair of nuclei (has an internal and an external segment) in the basal ganglia
Term
What is the pars reticula?
Definition
a section in the substantia nigra. The pars reticula is one of the major output neurons of the basal ganglia
Term
In the direct pathway, where does the globus pallidus project to after GABAnergic projections terminate there?
Definition
The globus pallidus internal neurons project back to the cortex via the thalamus (ventral lateral and ventral anterior nuclei) to make a loop.
Term
In the direct pathway, after projections terminate in the pars reticula, where does the pars reticula project to?
Definition
upper motor neurons in the superior colliculus that command eye movements without going to the thalamus
Term
Output from the basal ganglia is normally excitatory or inhibitory?
Definition
inhibitory
Term
What do pars reticula neurons and globus pallidus neurons have in common?
Definition
They are both GABAnergic and therefore inhibitory
Term
Why are globus pallidus neurons and pars reticula neurons unline medium spiny neurons?
Definition
Globus pallidus and pars reticula neurons have high levels of activity that normally are used to prevent unwanted movement and MSNs have high thresholds for activity.
Term
What happens when MSNs fire?
Definition
inhibition is inhibited
Term
what happens after disinhibition in the direct pathway?
Definition
upper motor neurons send commands to local circuit and lower motor neurons that initiate movement
Term
What is the first step in the indirect pathway?
Definition
MSNs project to the globus pallidus external nuclei
Term
What happens after the MSNs project to the golbus pallidus external nuclei in the indirect pathway?
Definition
The globus pallidus external nuclei projects to the subthalamic nucleus of the ventral thalamus
Term
In the indirect pathway, where does the subthalamic nucleus project to?
Definition
globus pallidus internal nuclei
Term
In the indirect pathway, where does the globus pallidus internal nuclei project to?
Definition
out of the basal ganglia to the VA/VL complex of thalamus
Term
Are subthalamic projections inhibitory or excitatory?
Definition
excitatory
Term
In the indirect pathway, do subthalamic projections increase or decrease the inhibition of globus pallidus?
Definition
increases (opposite of direct pathway)
Term
In the indirect pathway, why do subthalamic projections increase the inhibition of globus pallidus?
Definition
It acts as a brake to prevent too much disinhibition of upper motor neurons
Term
What is Hemiballismus?
Definition
Violent involuntary movements caused by defects in the subthalamic nucleus of the contralateral side of movements
Term
What causes Parkinsons?
Definition
degeneration of dopanergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta
Term
What are the symptoms of Parkinsons?
Definition
slowness of movements, rigidity of extremities and neck, minimal facial expressions
Term
What slows parkinsons?
Definition
levadopa
Term
How does levadopa slow parkinsons?
Definition
levadopa gets converted to dopamine receptors in basal ganglia
Term
What is Huntington's disease?
Definition
A heritable disease that degenerates the putamen and caudate
Term
What are the symptoms of Huntingtons disease?
Definition
Rapid, jerky movements with no clear purpose
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