Thalamic interactions of cerebellum and basal ganglia. 2018

Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research Cologne, Gleueler Str. 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany.

Cerebellum and basal ganglia are reciprocally interconnected with the neocortex via oligosynaptic loops. The signal pathways of these loops predominantly converge in motor areas of the frontal cortex and are mainly segregated on subcortical level. Recent evidence, however, indicates subcortical interaction of these systems. We have reviewed literature that addresses the question whether, and to what extent, projections of main output nuclei of basal ganglia (reticular part of the substantia nigra, internal segment of the globus pallidus) and cerebellum (deep cerebellar nuclei) interact with each other in the thalamus. To this end, we compiled data from electrophysiological and anatomical studies in rats, cats, dogs, and non-human primates. Evidence suggests the existence of convergence of thalamic projections originating in basal ganglia and cerebellum, albeit sparse and restricted to certain regions. Four regions come into question to contain converging inputs: (1) lateral parts of medial dorsal nucleus (MD); (2) parts of anterior intralaminar nuclei and centromedian and parafascicular nuclei (CM/Pf); (3) ventromedial nucleus (VM); and (4) border regions of cerebellar and ganglia terminal territories in ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei (VA-VL). The amount of convergences was found to exhibit marked interspecies differences. To explain the rather sparse convergences of projection territories and to estimate their physiological relevance, we present two conceivable principles of anatomical organization: (1) a "core-and-shell" organization, in which a central core is exclusive to one projection system, while peripheral shell regions intermingle and occasionally converge with other projection systems and (2) convergences that are characteristic to distinct functional networks. The physiological relevance of these convergences is not yet clear. An oculomotor network proposed in this work is an interesting candidate to examine potential ganglia and cerebellar subcortical interactions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009434 Neural Pathways Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another. Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D002531 Cerebellum The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills. Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001479 Basal Ganglia Large subcortical nuclear masses derived from the telencephalon and located in the basal regions of the cerebral hemispheres. Basal Nuclei,Ganglia, Basal,Basal Nuclear Complex,Ganglion, Basal,Basal Nuclear Complices,Nuclear Complex, Basal,Nuclei, Basal
D013788 Thalamus Paired bodies containing mostly GRAY MATTER and forming part of the lateral wall of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. Thalamencephalon,Thalamencephalons

Related Publications

Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
January 2022, Frontiers in systems neuroscience,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
January 1993, Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
January 2021, Frontiers in systems neuroscience,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
September 2022, American journal of perinatology,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
May 2001, Neuroimaging clinics of North America,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
September 2010, Neuropsychology review,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
May 1999, Neurosurgery,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
February 2016, Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
July 2008, Neurosurgery,
Andreas Hintzen, and Esther Annegret Pelzer, and Marc Tittgemeyer
August 2002, Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery,
Copied contents to your clipboard!