Basal ganglia final explanation

January 27 / 2018

Stage: c) taking action

Approaches to learning: Transference skills

CAUDATE NUCLEUS: The caudate nucleus is an important part of our brain that aids in the maintenance of homeostasis, it is a part of the basal ganglia, located near the thalamus, and it begins  behind the frontal lobe and curving back to the occipital lobe.

Regarding it’s functions, it aids in the processing and storage of memories, and when you find yourself in a situation you have already faced before, it consults the memories and advices you on what you should do next. Along with the thalamus, the caudate nucleus is also thought of controlling your communication skills.

PUTAMEN: The putamen is a part of the basal ganglia, it is located beneath the caudate nucleus and works along the nucleus accumbens, the globus pallidus, and the caudate nucleus.

It serves the functions of coordinating automatic performances such as baking a cake while singing your favorite song and in the process of limb movement via sending nerve signals to the thalamus, the brain stem and the motor neocortex that will further control the movements and sent the messages to carry them out.

The putamen seems to be affected by conditions such as Parkinson's disease (due to the fact that it may impair the putamen and result in it creating involuntary movements and tremors) and Huntington's disease.

When the putamen undergoes any harm, it can result in the formation of something known as the "restless legs syndrome", a condition that causes an intense urge to move the legs and their  involuntary jerking. It is treated through the elimination of caffeine from one's diet and getting enough sleep.

GLOBUS PALLIDUS: The globus pallidus is another component of the basal ganglia located inside the putamen at the base of the forebrain. 

It is basically a structure consisting of neurons that contain GABA neurotransmitters and receptors.

It is a relay center between the caudate nucleus, the putamen and the substantia nigra, in other words, the basal ganglia, this means it receives messages from all of them and sends them to the place in charge of their processing.

SUBSTANTIA NIGRA: The substantia nigra is a part of the basal ganglia found in the brainstem,  more specifically, in the midbrain. It is called that way due to the fact that it's name literarily states black substance.

The substantia nigra is made up of two regions, first, the substantia nigra pars compacta (it produces and holds high levels of dopamine neurons that give it it's particular black color because they produce a pigment called neuromelanin) and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (it holds and produces as well a high level of GABA neurons).