Summary
Deep nuclei that select and initiate actions, disrupted in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
In depth
Direct and indirect pathways facilitate or inhibit movements via the thalamus. Dopamine modulates both. Parkinson's causes bradykinesia and rigidity; Huntington's causes involuntary movement. Deep brain stimulation helps.
The striatum receives cortical input; output nuclei inhibit the thalamus. Dopamine from substantia nigra modulates activity. Disorders cause too little or too much movement.
Remember: Parkinson's is hypokinetic; Huntington's is hyperkinetic.
Frequently asked questions
What is Basal Ganglia?
Deep nuclei that select and initiate actions, disrupted in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
Which area of biology covers Basal Ganglia, and how advanced is it?
Basal Ganglia is one of the 54 topics in Neuroscience. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Pain Pathways, Dopamine Pathways, Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Can you give an example of Basal Ganglia?
The substantia nigra is the source of dopamine to the striatum.
What should I learn before Basal Ganglia?
Work through the Beginner topics in Neuroscience first, such as Nervous System, Neuron, Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, then return to Basal Ganglia. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Basal Ganglia?
The closest topics to Basal Ganglia are Pain Pathways, Dopamine Pathways, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Neurotransmitters. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Basal Ganglia?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Basal Ganglia. To practise the whole of Neuroscience, use the Neuroscience quiz.
How is Basal Ganglia different from Pain Pathways?
Basal Ganglia: Deep nuclei that select and initiate actions, disrupted in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Pain Pathways: Nociceptors send signals through the spinal cord, modulated by the gate control and endogenous opioids. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Basal Ganglia step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Pain Pathways and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Neuroscience quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.