Basal Ganglia and Movement Disorders

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the basal ganglia, movement disorders, and the sensory systems discussed in the lecture.

Huntington's Chorea

A genetically dominant disorder characterized by hyperkinetic movements, specifically chorea, which are dance-like movements.

Hyperkinetic

Refers to increased movement or excess movement beyond normal range.

Hypokinetic

Refers to decreased movement or reduced ability to move, often seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease.

Globus Pallidus

A structure in the basal ganglia involved in the regulation of voluntary movement; includes internal (GPi) and external (GPe) segments.

Direct Pathway

A neural pathway that facilitates movement by inhibiting the globus pallidus internal, reducing inhibitory signals to the thalamus.

Indirect Pathway

A neural pathway that inhibits movement by activating the globus pallidus internal, increasing inhibitory signals to the thalamus.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that is critical for movement regulation, with low levels linked to hypokinetic disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A condition characterized by slow, dysfunctional movements often as a side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications.

Muscular Rigidity

Increased muscle tone leading to stiffness and difficulty in moving, commonly associated with Parkinson's disease.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning, distinguished as a region of high density and many folds.

Mesolimbic Pathway

A dopamine pathway connecting the midbrain to the limbic system, critical for reward processing and associated with addiction.

Proprioception

The sense of body position and movement, informed by receptors in muscles and joints that detect stretch and tension.

Somatosensory System

A part of the sensory nervous system responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, pain, temperature, and position.

Afferent Neurons

Nerve cells that carry sensory information towards the central nervous system from receptors.

Efferent Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit motor commands from the central nervous system to muscles.

Nociception

The sensory perception of pain.

Hapsis

The sensory system related to fine touch and pressure, mediated by mechanoreceptors.