Anatomy and function of basal ganglia Flashcards

1
Q

Striatum

A

Composed of the caudate nucleus and putamen

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2
Q

Structures of the basal ganglia

A

Caudate nucleus

Lentiform:

  • Putamen
  • Globus pallidus [internal and external segment]
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3
Q

Neostriatum

A

Composed of:

  • Caudate nucleus
  • Putamen

Motor function

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4
Q

Function of basal ganglia

A

Interfaces with the cortex

  • Organises the possible inputs from the cortex
  • Gates the proper initiation of movement
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5
Q

Direct movement loop [4]

A

This loop promotes action:

  1. Cortex excites the striatum, using GLU
  2. Excited striatum is able to send inhibitory signals to the Internal Globus Pallidus [GPi] , via GABA
  3. Inhibitory signals to the GPi supresses its activity.
    - Prevents inhibitory signals being sent to the thalamus. [disinhibition of thalamus]
  4. Thalamus is able to be excited and send excitatory signals to the cortex.
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6
Q

Indirect movement loop

A

This loop inhibits action

  1. Cortex sends excitatory signals to the striatum, via GLU
  2. Excited striatum is able to send inhibitory signals to the External Globus Pallidus [GPe]
    - Decreases activity of GPe
  3. Decreased activity of the GPe allows excitation of the Subthalamic nucleus [STN]
  4. Excited STN sends excitatory signals to the GPi
    - GPi activity increased
  5. Excited GPi is able to send inhibitory signals to the thalamus
    - Thalamic activity is decreased
  6. Thalamus is unable to send excitatory signals to the cortex
    - Cortex is not excited
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7
Q

Hyperdirect pathway of movement

A

Stops movement very quickly

  1. Cortex excites the subthalamic nucleus [STN]
  2. Increased activity of the STN allows for the excitation of the GPi
    - GPi is active
  3. Active GPi is able to send inhibitory signals to the thalamus
    - Thalamic activity is depressed
  4. Thalamus is unable to send excitatory signals to the cortex

This loop bypasses the striatum

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8
Q

Medium spiny neurones

A

Motor striatal cells with dopamine receptors

Two groups:
- One contains dopamine-1 receptors [D1] which stimulates excitation
= direct pathway

  • Another group contains dopamine-2 receptors [D2] which has inhibitory outputs
    = indirect pathway
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9
Q

Striatum interneurons

A

Use acetylcholine
- Modulates dopamine release

Acting on medium spiny neurones [MSN] with D1 receptors
= inhibits effects of DA
= inhibits direct pathway
= inhibits movement

Acting on MSN with D2 receptors
= increases excitation
= stimulates indirect pathway
- prevents movement

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10
Q

Balance of direct and indirect pathways

A

The likelihood of movement taking place is determined by the balance of activity between the medium spiny neurones

Dopamine and acetylcholine regulate this balance

Also influenced by the cortical inputs to the striatum

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11
Q

Substantial nigra

A

Nucleus that produces dopamine

Projects into the striatum

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