In this article, let's talk about the basal ganglia. What is it and what role does this structure play in human he alth? 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 perfectly 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. The brain has gray and white matter. The first is the usual accumulation of many nerve cells, and the second is responsible for the speed of transmission of impulses between neurons. In addition to the cortex, of course, there are other structures. They are nuclei or basal ganglia, composed of gray matter and found 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 hemispheres of the brain. They have a lot of processes of great length, which are called axons. Thanks to them, information, that is, nerve impulses, is transmitted to different brain structures.
Basal nucleired and caudate nuclei, globus pallidus, putamen, substantia nigra, and reticular formation may be considered.
Building
The structure of the basal ganglia is varied. Basically, according to this classification, they are divided into those that belong to the extrapyramidal and limbic systems. Both of these systems have a huge impact on the functioning of the brain, are in close interaction with it. They affect the thalamus, parietal and frontal lobes. The extrapyramidal network consists of the basal ganglia. It is completely penetrated by the subcortical parts of the brain, and it has a major impact on the work of all functions of the human body. These modest formations are very often underestimated, and yet their work is not yet fully understood.
Functions
The functions of the basal ganglia are not so many, but they are essential. As we already know, they are strongly connected with all other brain structures. Actually, the main functions of the kernels follow from the understanding of this statement:
- Control over the implementation of integration processes in higher nervous activity.
- Influence on the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
- Regulation of human motor processes.
What are they doing?
There are a number of processes in which the cores are directly involved. The basal ganglia, the structure, development and functions of which we are considering, are involved in the following actions:
- affect a person's dexterity when using scissors;
- accuracydriving nails;
- reaction speed, ball dribbling, basket accuracy and batting dexterity in basketball, football, volleyball;
- voice control while singing;
- coordination while digging.
Also, these nuclei affect complex motor processes, such as fine motor skills. This is expressed in the way the hand moves while writing or drawing. If the work of these brain structures is disrupted, then the handwriting will be illegible, rude, “unsure”. In other words, it will look like the person has just picked up a pen.
New research proves that the basal ganglia can also influence the type of movement:
- controllable or sudden;
- repeated many times or new, completely unknown;
- simple monosyllabic or sequential and even simultaneous.
Many researchers rightly 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 thanks to the nuclei. The physiology of the basal ganglia is such that they control and regulate the automatic activity of a person without taking away 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 normalof life, the basal ganglia simply transmit the impulses that come from the frontal lobes to other brain structures. The goal is the purposeful performance 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.
Pathologies
Basal ganglion lesions 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 may be hereditary genetic diseases that are associated with metabolic disorders. Pathologies characterized by malfunctions in the functioning of enzyme systems. Thyroid diseases can also occur due to disorders in the functioning of the nuclei. Possible pathologies arising from manganese poisoning. Brain tumors can affect the functioning of the basal ganglia, and this is perhaps the most unpleasant situation.
Forms of pathologies
Researchers conditionally distinguish two main forms of pathology that can occur in humans:
- Functional problems. This often occurs in children. The cause in most cases is genetics. May occur in adults after a stroke, severe injury, or hemorrhage. By the way, in old age, it is violations of the human extrapyramidal system that cause Parkinson's disease.
- Tumors and cysts. This pathology is very dangerous, it requires immediate medical attention.intervention. A characteristic symptom is the presence of serious and prolonged neurological diseases.
It is also worth noting that the basal ganglia of the brain can influence the flexibility of human behavior. This means that a person begins to get lost in various situations, cannot react quickly, adapt to difficulties, or simply act according to his usual algorithm. It is also difficult to understand how it is necessary, according to the logic of things, to act in a situation that is simple for a normal person.
The defeat of the basal ganglia is dangerous because a person becomes practically unteachable. This is logical, because learning is like an automated task, and, as we know, it is these cores that are responsible for such tasks. However, it is treatable, albeit very slowly. 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 is moving sharply and impetuously, as if twitching. In this case, a tremor of the limbs or some kind of involuntary actions can really occur, over which the patient has no control.
Correction
Therapy for a disorder depends entirely on what caused it. Treatment is carried out by a neurologist. Very often, the only way to solve the problem is with the help of constant medication. These systems are not capable of recovering on their own, and folk methods are extremely rare. The main thing that is required of a person is a timely visit to a doctor, since only this will allowimprove the situation and even avoid very unpleasant symptoms. The doctor makes a diagnosis by observing the patient. Modern diagnostic methods are also used, such as MRI and CT of the brain.
Summing up the article, I would like to say that for the normal functioning of the human body, and in particular the brain, the proper functioning of all its structures, and even those that at first glance may seem completely insignificant, is very important.
