How does the coordination of movements work? | Extrapyramidal disorder

How does the coordination of movements work?

The coordination of movements is controlled in a part of the brain located in the diencephalon and midbrain. This is where the control of involuntary movements and posture takes place. The so-called extrapyramidal system consists of several components that all perform different tasks and yet work together perfectly.

In the brain stem, for example, holding and positioning reflexes are interconnected. These are involuntary. No one has to consciously think about standing in order to stop.

Even if the bus is driving fast into a sharp curve, we usually don’t fall over but regulate our strength to the opposite side – at lightning speed and without having to think about it. Another station is the thalamus, the “gateway to consciousness”. This is where the information about the position of muscles and joints is processed and perceived. The cerebellum plays a major role in balance. In the basal ganglia, certain movement sequences are stored and recalled.

Summary

Disorders of movement coordination include Parkinson’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome and dystonia. They all have in common the fact that movements can no longer be sufficiently coordinated. These complaints range from trembling of the hands to increased muscle tone, i.e. rather tense muscles.

Depending on the disease, different areas of the body are affected. At the level of the brain, various mechanisms are disturbed, but all of them affect the so-called extrapyramidal system.