Basal ganglia dysfunction: What you need to know

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Basal Ganglia Dysfunction
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Basal Ganglia Dysfunction

• The basal ganglia (or basal nuclei) are a group
  of nuclei of varied origin in the brains of
  vertebrates that act as a cohesive functional
  unit. They are situated at the base of the
  forebrain and are strongly connected with the
  cerebral cortex, thalamus, and other brain
  areas. Basal ganglia disease refers to a group
  of physical dysfunctions that occur when the
  group of nuclei in the brain known as the basal
  ganglia fail to properly initiate
  movements. Conditions that cause injury to the
  brain can damage the basal ganglia include
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Drug overdose
• Head injury
• Liver disease
• Infection

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Basal Ganglia Dysfunction
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• Metabolic problems
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Poisoning with copper, manganese, or other heavy
  metals
• Side effects of certain medications
• Stroke
• Tumours
• Brain disorders associated with basalganglia
  dysfunction include 
• Dystonia
• Huntington's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
• Wilson's disease

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Symptoms

• Damage to the basal ganglia  cells may cause
  problems with one's ability to control speech,
  movement, and posture. This combination of
  symptoms is called Parkinsonism. A person with
  basal ganglia dysfunction may have difficulty
  starting, stopping, or sustaining movement.
  Depending on which area is affected, there may
  also be problems with memory and other thought
  processes. Generally, symptoms vary and may
  include 
• Movement changes, such as involuntary or slowed
  movements
• Increased muscle tone
• Muscle spasms and muscle rigidity
• Problems finding words
• Tremor
• Uncontrollable, repeated movements, speech, or
  cries
• Walking difficulty

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Tests for basal ganglia dysfunction

• The doctor will examine you and ask questions
  about your symptoms and medical history. Blood
  and imaging tests may be needed. These may
  include 
• CT and MRI scan of the head
• Genetic testing
• Magnetic resonance angiography to look at the
  blood vessels in the neck and brain
• Positron emission tomography (PET) to look at the
  metabolism of the brain
• Blood tests to check blood sugar, thyroid
  function, liver function, and iron and copper
  levels

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Treatments

• Post diagnoses, the doctor will look for the
  exact cause of the disorder and start treatment
  of basal ganglia dysfunction accordingly.The
  outlook for a person with basal ganglia
  dysfunction depends on how well a person does
  depends on the cause of the dysfunction. Some
  causes are reversible, while others require
  lifelong treatment. When you start experiencing
  well a person does depends on the cause of the
  dysfunction. Some causes are reversible, while
  others require lifelong treatment its time to
  ring your doctor.

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