In the article we will talk about the basal ganglia. What is it and what role does this structure play in human health? All questions will be discussed in detail in the article, after which you will understand the importance of absolutely every “detail” in your body and head.
What is it about?
We all know very well that the human brain is a very complex unique structure in which absolutely all elements are inextricably and firmly connected with the help of millions of neural connections. There are gray and white substances in the brain . The first is the usual accumulation of many nerve cells, and the second is responsible for the rate of transmission of impulses between neurons. In addition to the bark, naturally, there are other structures. They are nuclei or basal ganglia, consisting of gray matter and located in white. In many ways, they are responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Basal Ganglia: Physiology
These nuclei are located near the cerebral hemispheres. They have a lot of processes of large length, which are called axons. Thanks to them, information, that is, nerve impulses, is transmitted to different brain structures.
The basal nuclei can be considered red and caudate nuclei, a pale ball, shell, black matter and reticular formation.
Structure
The structure of the basal ganglia is diverse. Basically, according to this classification, they are divided into those that belong to the extrapyramidal and limbic system. Both of these systems have a huge impact on the functioning of the brain and are in close interaction with it. They affect the thalamus, parietal and frontal lobes. The extrapyramidal network consists of basal ganglia. The subcortical parts of the brain are completely penetrated by it, and it has the most important influence on the work of all the functions of the human body. These modest formations very often remain underestimated, and yet their work has not yet been fully studied.
Functions
The functions of the basal ganglia are not so many, but they are significant. As we already know, they are strongly connected with all other brain structures. Actually, from the understanding of this statement the main functions of the nuclei follow:
- Monitoring the implementation of integration processes in higher nervous activity.
- Influence on the work of the autonomic nervous system.
- Regulation of human motor processes.
What are they involved in?
There are a number of processes in which kernels are directly involved. The basal ganglia, the structure, development and functions of which we are considering, participate in such actions:
- affect a person’s dexterity when using scissors;
- precision nailing;
- reaction speed, dribbling, accuracy of getting into the basket and knock-off dexterity of the ball when playing basketball, football, volleyball;
- voice possession while singing;
- coordination of actions while digging the earth.
Also, these nuclei affect complex motor processes, for example, fine motor skills. This is expressed in the way the hand moves while writing or drawing. If the work of these brain structures is impaired, then the handwriting will be illegible, rude, "uncertain." In other words, it will seem that a person only recently picked up a pen.
New studies have proven that basal ganglia can also affect the type of movement:
- controllable or sudden;
- repeated many times or new, completely unknown;
- simple monosyllables or sequential and even simultaneous.
Many researchers reasonably believe that the functions of the basal ganglia are that a person can act automatically. This suggests that many of the actions that a person performs on the go, without paying special attention to them, are possible precisely thanks to the cores. The physiology of the basal ganglia is such that they control and regulate the automatic activity of a person, without taking resources from the central nervous system. That is, we must understand that it is these structures that largely control how a person acts under stress or in an incomprehensible dangerous situation.
In ordinary life, the basal nuclei simply transmit impulses that come from the frontal lobes to other brain structures. The goal is the targeted implementation of known actions without stress on the central nervous system. However, in dangerous situations, the ganglia "switch" and allow a person to automatically make the most optimal decision.
Pathology
Lesions of the basal ganglia can be very different. Let's consider some of them. These are degenerative lesions of the human brain (for example, Parkinson's disease or Huntington's chorea). These can be hereditary genetic diseases that are associated with metabolic disorders. Pathologies characterized by malfunctions of the enzyme systems. Diseases of the thyroid gland can also occur due to violations in the functioning of the nuclei. Possible pathologies resulting from manganese poisoning. Brain tumors can affect the operation of the basal nuclei, and this is perhaps the most unpleasant situation.
Pathology Forms
Researchers conditionally distinguish two main forms of pathology that can occur in humans:
- Functional problems. This is often found in children. The reason in most cases is genetics. May occur in adults after a stroke, severe injury, or hemorrhage. By the way, in old age it is a violation of the extrapyramidal system of a person that causes Parkinson's disease.
- Tumors and cysts. Such a pathology is very dangerous, it requires immediate medical attention. A characteristic symptom is the presence of serious and protracted neurological diseases.
It is also worth noting that the basal ganglia of the brain can affect the flexibility of human behavior. This means that a person begins to get lost in various situations, cannot quickly react, adapt to difficulties, or simply act according to his usual algorithm. It is also difficult to understand how to proceed according to the logic of things in a situation that is simple for a normal person.
The defeat of the basal ganglia is dangerous because a person becomes practically uneducable. This is logical, because learning is like an automated task, and these kernels are responsible for such tasks, as we know. However, it is treatable, albeit very slow. In this case, the results will be insignificant. Against this background, a person ceases to control his coordination of movements. From the side it seems that he moves sharply and impetuously, as if twitching. In this case, tremor of the extremities or some involuntary actions really can occur, over which the patient is not in control.
Correction
The treatment for the disorder depends entirely on what caused it. The treatment is carried out by a neuropathologist. Very often, a problem can only be solved with the help of a constant intake of drugs. These systems are not able to recover independently, and alternative methods are extremely rare. The main thing that is required of a person is a timely visit to a doctor, as only this will improve the situation and even avoid very unpleasant symptoms. The doctor makes a diagnosis, observing the patient. Also, modern diagnostic methods are used, such as MRI and CT of the brain.
Summing up the article, I want to say that for the normal functioning of the human body, and in particular the brain, the correct functioning of all its structures and even those that at first glance may seem completely insignificant is very important.