1. Basal Ganglia, Cerebellum and Movement
CBA 571 Structure of the Human Body
(Chapter 10, Lundy-Ekman, emphasis on pp )
Gib Willett, P.T., M.S., O.C.S., C.S.C.S.
Associate Professor, UNMC P.T. Education

2. Objectives:
Explain the movement related functions of the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
Identify the basal ganglia and cerebellum in diagrams and on models.
Describe the neural pathways between these areas and the cerebrum which influence movement.
Describe most likely symptoms resultant from damage to a given region or pathway presented in this module.

3. Introduction
B.G. and cerebellum contain large collections of nuclei that modify movement on an ongoing basis
The motor cortex sends information to both areas and both respond back to cortex through the thalamus (gatekeeper to cortex)

4. Introduction
B.G. motor related signals to the motor cortex are inhibitory
Cerebellar motor related signals to the motor cortex are excitatory
Balance of these systems allows for smooth, coordinated movement

5. Basal Ganglia What does ganglia usually refer to?
Collection of cell bodies outside the CNS
What are the Basal Ganglia (B.G.)?
B.G. are actually a collection of ganglia deep to the white matter of the cerebral cortex
Components of the B.G. include:
Caudate
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigria
There are more, but focus will be on the above five due to their involvement with movement
Lentiform nucleus

6. Basal Ganglia Location

7. Basal Ganglia Location
Where are the Globus Pallidus, Subthalamic Nucleus and Substantia Nigra?
B.G. component: Putamen
Thalamus
Ventricles
B.G. component: Caudate nucleus

8. Basal Ganglia: Location
Frontal plane section of cerebrum

9. Basal Ganglia Sequence movement Regulate muscle tone and force
Two basal ganglia pathways influence movement
Promotion of certain movement patterns (synergies)
Inhibition of certain movement patterns (synergies)
Lesions of the basal ganglia result in disturbances of muscle tone and dyskinesias
Hyperkinesia
Hypokinesia

10. Basal Ganglia: Specifics
Caudate & Putamen receive majority of input from cortex (L-E only refers to the putamen)
Doorway into basal ganglia
Reciprocally interconnected with the substantia nigra

11. Basal Ganglia: Specifics
Substantia nigra
Pars compacta (SNpc)- receives input and sends information back
Produces dopamine which is critical for normal movement
See Parkinson’s Disease in L-E
Pars reticularis (SNpr)- receives input and sends it out to control head and eye movements

12. Basal Ganglia: Specifics
Globus pallidus
Most output from putamen goes to globus pallidus but not all…….(see figure 10-4, p223 in L-E for a more detailed diagram)
Both interna (not shown in L-E) and externa communicate with the subthalamic nucleus
Interna sends major inhibitory output from B.G. to cortex via thalamus
Interna also has output to midbrain to assist in postural control (see L-E diagram)

13. Cerebellum
X-section showing cortex and deep nuclei
Dorsal view
“Little brain” – outer cortex, inner white matter, deep nuclei
Coordinates movement: compares what you wanted to do (cortex), to what happens (proprioceptive feedback), and corrects the movement if needed.
Works ipsilaterally (cerebrum entirely contralateral)

14. Cerebellum
Ventral view

15. Cerebellum Summarized by 3’s 3 highways leading in and out “peduncles”
Superior – connects to midbrain
Middle – connects to pons
Inferior – connects to medulla oblongata
3 lobes – anterior, posterior and flocculonodular
3 broad classes of human movements controlled for by the cerebellum (see L-E)
Equilibrium – vestibulocerebellum
Gross limb movements – spinocerebellum
Fine distal movements - cerebrocerebellum

16. Cerebellum 3 input tracts Spinocerebellar -proprioceptive feedback
Climbing fibers - feedback from ascending tracts via medulla
Pontine fibers - feedback from cerebral cortex
These fibers must cross then enter cerebellum

17. Cerebellum – “fun facts”
High density of neurons in cerebellar cortex results in cerebellum accounting for 1/10 of total brain volume but contains more than 50% of CNS neurons
Involved in motor learning process
Once cerebellum receives intent to move message, it provides information on movement direction, timing and force
Ballistic movements – too fast for feedback so predictions are made and modified via cerebellum based on experience (circuts change with repetition of an activity)

18. Cerebellar Lesions
Primarily coordination, proprioception and equilibrium related difficulties
Signs of cerebellar problems are manifested ipsilateral to the side of the lesion
Signs of cerebellar lesions include:
Hypotonia – flabby muscles, often pendulous reflexes
Dysmetria – past pointing, missing the mark
Dysdiadochokinesis – inability to make rapidly alternating movements

19. Cerebellar Lesions Signs of cerebellar lesions continued:
Dysynergia - decomposition of movement ie. complex movements performed as a series of successive simple movements
Intention tremor – occurs with movement
Ataxia – stumbling gait
Alcohol abuse depresses cerebellar circuts (includes dysarthria)
Nystagmus – slow component towards the side of the lesion

20. Conclusion
Basal Ganglia – basically sequences movement and regulates muscle tone and force
Cerebellum – basically compares actual motor output to the intended movement and adjusts the motor output as necessary to meet movement expectations

21. Conclusion