NEUROANATOMY BASAL GANGLIA 3 NUCLEI OF THE BASAL GANGLIA

SIR BRYAN NUCUM (PPT AND NOTES)

BASAL GANGLIA

­ is applied to a collection of masses of gray matter situated within each

cerebral hemisphere
­ situated between telencephalon and diencephalon
­ modify function of cerebrum before relaying down the motor output
• comprise a network of subcortical nuclei of the telencephalon,
subthalamus, midbrain that modulates motor and cognitive function of
the cerebral cortex; closely related to substantia nigra and
subthalamic nucleus
• joined together and connected with many different regions of the
nervous system by a very complex number of neurons
• a part of the EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYSTEM (meaning projections from
the brainstem to spinal cord)
• it plays an important role in the control of posture and voluntary
automatic movements and skilled volitional movements of the trunk
and limbs, including eye movement.
• involved in cognition, such as attention, memory, planning and acts
with the limbic system to regulate emotional behavior
• also, for procedural learning relating to routine behaviors or "habits"
such as bruxism, eye movements, cognitive and emotional functions
1. Corpus Striatum
• helps regulate initiation and termination of movement and control
subconscious contraction of skeletal muscle ­ is situated lateral to the thalamus
• made up of three important nuclei, which includes: and is completely divided by bands
o corpus striatum of nerve fibers called “INTERNAL
o amygdaloid nucleus CAPSULE” into CAUDATE
o claustrum NUCLEUS and LENTIFORM
• it is a part of motor system circuit, where: NUCLEUS
o cerebral cortex - influences motor function directly through • receives afferent information and are integrated from most of the
the corticospinal and corticobulbar pathways cerebral cortex, thalamus, subthalamus, brainstem and basal ganglia
o basal ganglia and cerebellum - influences the lower
motor neuron indirectly through modulation of cerebral internal capsule
cortex and brainstem through all other projection pathways
that influence motor control, such as the tectospinal and ­ thin sheet of white matter which is a type of projection fibers at
vestibulospinal tracts. the upper part of the brainstem
• it radiates its nerve fibers in all direction of cerebral cortex
forming the “corona radiata” and to the calcarine sulcus known
as “optic radiation”

caudate nucleus

­ a large c-haped mass of gray matter that is closely related to the

lateral ventricle and lies lateral to the thalamus
• its lateral surface is related to the internal capsule separating it from
the lentiform nucleus
• divided into:
o head - it is large & rounded and forms the lateral wall of the
anterior horn of the lateral ventricle; continuous inferiorly
with the putamen of the lentiform nucleus
­ caudate nucleus + putamen = neostriatum
­ superior to this point of union, (+) of strands of gray matter
passing into the internal capsule giving a striated
appearance termed “corpus striatum”
o body - it is long and narrow, and it is continuous with the
head and region of the interventricular foramen
­ forms part of the floor of the body of the lateral ventricle
o tall - it is long and slender and continuous with the body in
the region of the posterior end of the thalamus
­ follows the contour of the lateral ventricle and in the roof of
the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle
­ terminates anteriorly in the amygdaloid nucleus

neostriatum

­ constitute the major site of input to the basal ganglia which receives
afferent fibers from corticostriate projections most especially from the
cerebral sensory and motor cortex (area 3,1,2 & 4), premotor cortex
(area 6) and frontal eye field (area 8)
• thus, the BASAL GANGLIA can control muscular movements by • also receives input from intralaminar thalamic nuclei, substantia nigra
influencing the cerebral cortex rather than direct descending pathways and midbrain raphe nuclei
to the brainstem and spinal cord • sends inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the globus pallidus.
• if (+) of destruction in the motor cortex – will prevent individual
from performing fine discrete movements of the hands and feet on lentiform nucleus
opposite side of the body
• if (+) destruction of corpus striatum – paralysis of movements on ­ a wedge shape mass of gray matter whose broad convex base is
opposite side of the body directed laterally and its blade medially
• buried in the white matter of cerebral hemisphere and related medially
to the internal capsule, which separates it from the caudate nucleus
and the thalamus

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 • it is continuous with the caudate nucleus on its anterior or inferior end • situated partly anteriorly and partly superior to the tip of the inferior
• laterally, separated from the claustrum via the external capsule (a thin horn of the lateral ventricle
sheet of white matter) • it can influence body’s response to environmental changes
• (+) of vertical plate of white matter divides the lentiform nucleus • having relation with the limbic system, it also senses fear, change in
into: heart rate, BP, skin color and rate of respiration
o PUTAMEN – a larger, darker lateral portion • plays an important role in establishing association between sensory
o GLOBUS PALLIDUS – smaller, inner lighter portion inputs and various affective states.
• also appears to participate in regulating endocrine activity, sexual
globus pallidus behavior, appetite such as food and water intake by modulating the
­ a.k.a. as PALEOSTRIATUM activity of the hypothalamus
­ helps regulate activity of thalamus (increase or decrease activity) • appears to play a role in binge drinking, being damaged by repeated
o increase activity of globus pallidus, decrease activity of episodes of intoxication (such as Alcoholism) and withdrawal
thalamus, vice versa • has a protein kinase C-epsilon - important for regulating behavioral
responses to morphine, ethanol, and controlling anxiety-like behavior
putamen  Bilateral damage with the temporal lobe: KLUVER BUCY
SYNDROME
­ larger, darker lateral portion lying beneath the insular cortex o Characterized by increased sexual activity, increase
• activity of the putamen precedes and anticipates body movement appetite, restlessness, emotional instability and with no
evidence of fear or anger
BASAL NUCELI PATHWAY
o Hemispheric specializations: upon ES
• the basal ganglia receive huge no of inputs and produce outputs back  RIGHT AMYGDALA - induced negative emotions, especially fear and
to cortex and brainstem sadness
• GPI is inhibitory- an increase in its activity cause decrease in thalamic o linked with taking action as well as being linked to negative
and cortical activity/ a decrease in its activity leads to increased emotions, which may help explain why males tend to
thalamic/cortical activity respond to emotionally stressful stimuli physically
o in direct pathway (via D1 receptors) - it inhibits GPI  LEFT AMYGDALA was able to induce either pleasant (happiness) or
leading to decreased inhibition of thalamus and thus unpleasant (Fear, anxiety, sadness) emotions and plays a role in the
increase in cortical activity brain's reward system, recall of details, more thought rather than
o In indirect pathway (via D2 receptors) - inhibits the action in response to emotionally stressful stimuli, which may explain
indirect pathway resulting the suppression of the the lack of physical response in women.
subthalamic nucleus leading to reduced GPI activity
3. Claustrum

­ derived from a word meaning

“hidden away”
­ a thin sheet of gray matter that is
separated from the lentiform
nucleus by the external capsule
• lateral to the claustrum is the
subcortical white matter of the insula
• it receives input from almost all
regions of cortex and projects it back
• connectivity studies have shown that the claustrum plays a strong role
in communication between the two hemispheres of the brain,
specifically between cortical regions controlling attention
• function is still unknown/enigmatic

STRUCTURES RELATED TO THE BASAL GANGLIA

Substansia Nigra
MAIN FUNCTIONAL CONNECTION OF THE BASAL NUCLEI IN
INFLUENCING MUCLE ACTIVITY ­ is a subcortical nucleus that is closely related to the basal ganglia that
possess inclusion granules of melanin pigment in its cytoplasm &
releases a neurotransmitter dopamine, GABA and substance P
• concerned with muscle tone and with connection to the cerebral
cortex, spinal cord, hypothalamus, and basal ganglia
• function as dopaminergic (inhibitory to the corpus striatum)

Subthalamic Nuclei

­ is a diencephalic gray matter portion of the basal ganglia that function

as glutaminergic (excitatory - Glutamate)
• has connection with substantia nigra and globus pallidus
• receives input mainly from the striatum and cerebral cortex, and
projects to the globus pallidus.

CONNECTIONS OF THE CORPUS STRIATUM

AFFERENT FIBERS

1. CORTICOSTRIATE FIBERS – fibers from the sensory cortex to the

caudate nucleus and putamen; arises from same side and release
neurotransmitter: GLUTAMATE
2. THALAMOSTRIATE FIBERS – this are intralaminar thalamic nuclei
that sends large number of axons to the caudate nucleus and
2. Amygdaloid Nucleus putamen
­ a.k.a. Amygdaloid Nuclear Complex, Amygdala, Corpus 3. NIGOSTRIATE FIBERS – neurons from substantia nigra sends axons
Amygdaloideum to the caudate nucleus and putamen; Neurotransmitter: DOPAMINE
4. BRAINSTEM STRIATAL FIBERS – these are ascending fibers from
• is situated in the temporal lobe close to the Uncus; and resembles
the brainstem and ends in the caudate nucleus and putamen;
shape of a diamond
Neurotransmitter: SEROTONIN.
• found between uncus and parahippocampal gyrus
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EFFERENT FIBERS NOTES:
EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYSTEM is composed of:
1. STRIATOPALLIDAL FIBERS – fibers from the caudate and putamen 1. Basal Ganglia
to the globus pallidus and release neurotransmitter: GABA 2. Cerebellum
2. STRIATONIGRAL FIBERS – fibers from the caudate and putamen to 3. Brainstem
the substantia nigra and release neurotransmitter: GABA, Skilled volitional – you perform voluntarily
acetylcholine, and substance P. Corticospinal pathway = connection between cerebrum & spinal cord
Corticobulbar pathway = cerebrum (cortex) & brainstem
CONNECTIONS OF THE GLOBUS PALLIDUS Cerebral cortex – katabi ng claustrum

AFFERENT FIBERS 2 COMPONENTS OF COPRUS STRIATUM:

1. CAUDATE NUCLEUS
1. STRIATOPALLIDAL FIBERS 2. LENTIFORM NUCLEUS

CaPuN (Caudate + Putamen = Neostriatum)

EFFERENT FIBERS Pulvinar – posterior end of thalamus
midbrain raphe nuclei – part of midbrain and reticular formation for consciousness
1. PALLIDOFUGAL FIBERS – divided into:
a. ANSA LENTICULARIS – passes to the thalamic nuclei LPG (Lentiform Nucleus = Putamen + Globus Pallidus)
b. FASCICULUS LENTICULARIS – passes to the
subthalamus PUTAMEN – precede and anticipate body movt.
c. PALLIDOTEGMENTAL FIBERS – terminate in the caudal Precede – alam na agad gagawin
tegmentum of the midbrain Anticipate – predicts movement
d. PALLIDOSUBTHALAMIC FIBERS – which passes to the
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME – caused by damaged to putamen
subthalamic region
- natutulog galaw nang galaw ang paa
LESIONS OF THE BASAL GANGLIA GLOBUS PALLIDUS INTERNUS (Internal Globus Pallidus)
- inhibitory, increases activity decrease thalamus and brainstem
Disorders of the basal nuclei are of two general types: GLOBUS PALLIDUS EXTERNUS (External Globus Pallidus)

• HYPERKINETIC DISORDERS - involve excessive and abnormal

movements, such as seen with chorea, athetosis, and ballism. CAUDATE NUCLEUS:
• HYPOKINETIC DISORDERS - involve a lack or slowness of D1 RECEPTORS – DIRECT PATHWAY
movement. Parkinson disease includes both types of motor D2 RECEPTORS – INDIRECT PATHWAY
disturbances

Lesions results to 4 Major manifestations:

1. Disorder of initiation of movement - AKINESIA

2. Difficulty in continuing or stopping an ongoing movement
3. Abnormalities of muscle tone (such as rigidity)
4. The development of involuntary movements particularly related to posture,
automatic movements (such as swinging) and skilled volitional movements

INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS

▪ CHOREA – exhibits involuntary quick, rapid jerky irregular movements

of the proximal limbs that are non-repetitive from degeneration of
caudate and putamen
▪ ATHETOSIS – slow, writhing, worm like movements with fluctuations
in muscle tone usually at the distal segments of the limb from central
cortex and globus pallidus involvement
▪ HEMIBALLISMUS – a wild, flinging, violent motions due to lesions of
the subthalamic nucleus
▪ DYSTONIA – involuntary, twisting sustained movements/muscle
contractions resulting in abnormal movements or sustained postures

CLINICAL CONDITIONS

Parkinson’s Disease

­ a.k.a. PARALYSIS AGITANS or SHAKING PALSY

• most common degenerative disease involving the basal ganglia due
degeneration of substantia nigra resulting to decrease dopamine
• classic triad of:
➢ BRADYKINESIA – slowness of movement
➢ RIGIDITY - an increase resistance to passive motion
➢ RESTING TREMOR - a rhythmic alternate contraction of
the agonist & antagonistic muscles during rest
characterized by pill rolling of the hand
• the symptoms eventually lead to postural instability

Syndenhams Chorea (St. Vitus Dance)

­ a disease of the childhood caused by streptococcal bacteria

characterized by rapid, uncoordinated jerky movts. primarily affecting
face, hands, and feet

Huntington’s Disease

­ an autosomal dominant inheritance because of a defect on

chromosome 4; Primarily affecting the corpus striatum that decreases
GABA inhibition
• characterized by abrupt, clumsy & jerky, irregular choreiform and
impaired voluntary movements

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