Articles

What stimulates substantia nigra?

What stimulates substantia nigra?

The substantia nigra (SN) is an area of deeply pigmented cells in the midbrain that regulates movement and coordination. Neurons of the SN are divided into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Neurons of the SNc produce Dopamine, which stimulates movement.

What part of the brain is the substantia nigra located?

midbrain
The substantia nigra is a region in the midbrain that is considered part of the basal ganglia.

What happens if the substantia nigra is damaged?

When the neurons in the substantia nigra are damaged in large numbers, the loss of dopamine prevents normal function in basal ganglia and causes the motor symptoms of PD: tremor, rigidity, impaired balance, and loss of spontaneous movement.

What does the Latin term substantia nigra mean?

Substantia nigra is Latin for “black substance”, reflecting the fact that parts of the substantia nigra appear darker than neighboring areas due to high levels of neuromelanin in dopaminergic neurons.

What are the effects of substantia nigra degeneration?

Degeneration of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra results in the reduction of the availability of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This lack of dopaminergic innervation to the striatum results in disorders associated with hypokinesia or reduced motor movements.

How are the pars compacta and the substantia nigra related?

It consists of two components, the pars compacta and the pars reticulata, which have different connections and use different neurotransmitters. Degeneration of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra results in the reduction of the availability of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Which is part of the substantia nigra contains dopaminergic neurons?

The substantia nigra is a large midbrain nucleus that can be divided into compact and reticular parts. The pars compacta contains the cell bodies of dopaminergic neurons contributing to the nigrostriatal tract, whereas the pars reticulata consists of GABAergic neurons and is analogous to the globus pallidus.