NERVE PHYSIOLOGY

Function of Basal Ganglia

 It’s a group of nuclei in the white matter of the cerebral hemisphere and
upper part of brain stem.
 They are primarily involved in control of posture and movement.
 Basal ganglia do not receive inputs directly from the spinal cord.
 They receive most of their inputs signals from the cerebral cortex itself and
also return almost all their outputs signals back to cortex.
 Basal ganglia projects mainly to brainstem areas via their cortical
connections, therefore, it mainly influences extrapyramidal functions.

FUNCTIONS

1. The basal ganglia is involved in the planning and programming of

movements by preventing oscillation and after discharge in the motor system
i.e., in the processes by which an idea of voluntary movement is converted into
the precise action.
Mechanism: The subthalamic nuclei provide excitatory input to the globus
pallidus; the globus pallidus sends fibers back to the subthalamic nuclei.
Activity in this circuit is an important regulator of basal ganglia output that in
turn maintains movements in a smooth and appropriate state.
2. The basal ganglia inhibit the stretch reflex throughout the body by stimulation
of the caudate nucleus:

 By stimulation of inhibitory motor cortex through thalamocortical

feedback pathway and
 By stimulation of inhibitory reticular formation.

This is why damage to the basal ganglia produces rigidity.

3. The caudate nucleus plays a major role in cognitive control of motor activity.
Cognition means the thinking processes of the brain, using both sensory inputs to
the brain plus information already stored in memory. Cognitive control of motor
activity determines subconsciously and within seconds, which pattern of
movements will be used together to achieve a complex goal that might itself last
for many seconds. For example: a person seeing a lion approach and then
responding instantaneously and automatically by turning away from lion and
beginning to run.

4. The globus pallidus provides appropriate muscle tone for performance of

skilled movements.

5. The activity of the basal ganglia increases during slow, steady damp movement
and is silent during rapid movement.
6. The basal ganglia is responsible for control of normal automatic and associated
movements such as swinging of arms during walking. These movements are
initiated by motor cortex.

DISEASE OF THE BASAL GANGLIA

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

 Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects

predominantly dopamine producing neurons in a specific area of the brain
called substantia niagra.
 Also called Shaking palsy or paralysis agitans.
 It is characterized by rigidity, tremors (hyperkinesia) and weakness of
movements (hypokinesia).

Characteristics feature

1. RIGIDITY

 It affects mainly large proximal group of muscles of the limbs.

 The common affected muscles are the biceps, knee flexors and
sternomastoids.
2. TREMOR

 It consists of regular, rhythmic, alternate contraction of muscles at the rate

of 6-8 times/sec.
 Pill- rolling movements are seen i.e., rhythmic contraction of thumb over
first two fingers.
 Common sites: fingers, hands, lips or tongue.

3. HYPOKINESIA AND AKINESIA (OR BRADYKINESIA)

 Difficulty in initiating voluntary movement (akinesia).

 Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
 Defects in movement of expression. The face becomes mask-like.

The presence of at least two of the three cardinal signs (rigidity, resting tremor
and bradykinesia) confirms the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Treatment

Replacement of dopamine

Anticholinergics