3.5.6 Motor control

Motor Control Including the Neurobiology of Extra-Pyramidal Side-Effects

Motor control is the process by which the nervous system coordinates the movement of muscles and produces voluntary movements. It involves the integration of sensory input with cognitive and emotional processing in the brain, and it relies on the proper function of a number of brain regions and neurotransmitter systems.

One key brain region that is involved in motor control is the basal ganglia, which are a group of nuclei located deep within the brain that are involved in the control of movement and motivation. The basal ganglia receive input from the cerebral cortex and other brain regions and play a key role in the initiation and execution of movements. The basal ganglia also help to modulate the intensity of movements and regulate the expression of movements in appropriate social contexts.

Extra-pyramidal side effects refer to the unintended effects on movement that can occur as a result of certain medications, such as antipsychotics and anti-Parkinsonian drugs. These side effects can include tremors, rigidity, and abnormal movements, and they are thought to be caused by the disruption of the normal function of the basal ganglia and other brain regions that are involved in motor control. These medications can alter the balance of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and acetylcholine, in the basal ganglia, which can disrupt the normal function of these brain regions (Gerlach, 2014).

References:

(1) Gerlach, J., & Müller, M. J. (2014). Extra-pyramidal side-effects of antipsychotics: From pathophysiology to clinical practice. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 16(1), 49-62.