What is a subthalamic core?

Subthalamic core is a cluster of neurons found in the brain of most mammals, including humans. It is part of basal ganglia, a collection of neuronal cores that help in coordinating voluntary movement. Synchronized firing by subthalamic cores and neighboring neurons Globus Pallidus function as a cardiac by the whole basal ganglia and are essential for stable control in the limbs. Increased abnormal activity of the subthalamic nucleus occurs in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and a rare disease called hemibalmism.

Bazal ganglie brain include subthalamic core together with related areas such as Striate and Nigra substantia. All these cores of mild paths in the brain that are important for controlling voluntary movement. They are excitation, which means they work with exciting neurons to shoot electrically. Together with Mozer, which controls movement through inhibition, basal ganglie is one of the two main regions dealing withby voluntary movement. Subtalaminic cores are anatomically close to Thalam and communicate with it, from there their name.

Functionally, the subthalamic core is closely associated with Globus Pallidus, a nearby area of ​​basal ganglia. These neuronal groups are pacemakers, which means that they shoot each other in synchronization, so they excite any neurons to which they are connected. In the primary basal ganglia, subthalamic cores receive feedback from neurons of the cortex that control voluntary movement. It is therefore part of the path connecting the planning of movement in the bark with parts of the brain that control its muscle design.

abnormal activity of the subthalamic core was also involved in the motor dysfunction of Parkinson's disease. Scientists have notified this destruction of this area due to stroke and other injuries of usually improved movement in patients. For Parkinson's treatment some neurosurgeonsThey developed a procedure designed to imitate the good effects of this damage to the subthalamic nucleus. It is called the stimulation of the deep brain, is achieved by surgical location of electrodes in basal ganglia by means of electric pulses to disrupt selected neuronal activity in certain areas. Some clinical studies suggest that the procedure was more effective in medical treatment in patients with severe symptoms of Parkinson.

Hemiballism is a very rare movement disorder characterized by violent movement of the arm on one side of the body. Usually this results from damage to the subthalamic core, although cellular death in other parts of basal ganglia can cause milder forms of its symptoms. Any neurological disease that attacks nuclei that affects voluntary movement can potentially cause hemiballism. This may result in from deprivation of oxygen due to stroke or trauma. The severity of hemiballism depends on the extent of cell damage.