Lenticular nucleus, the center of motivation and learning

Our nervous system is full of curiosities. The lenticular nucleus is one of them. It is a subcortical brain structure that, among other missions, fulfills that of being the artisan of motivation and learning. On the other hand, when we talk about the lenticular nucleus, we are not referring to a specific structure, but rather to a set of them.

Continue reading this article, we will show you the parts, characteristics, and functions associated with this core. In addition, we will show you the most common alterations and their consequences. Finally, we will also introduce some curious data. Let’s get started!

What are the parts of the lenticular nucleus?

It owes its name to its lens shape. It is located below the insula, and is made up of three segments that are mainly divided into two structures, according to the book Neurosciences. brain scan written by: Bears, Connors and Paradiso”:

Putamen. Its shape is circular. It is the outermost of the nuclei. It is connected to the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus, which facilitates the conduction of information between the basal ganglia, the cerebral cortex and the thalamus.Pale globe. It is also known as paleostriate. It is divided into two parts: external or lateral and internal or medial. It receives information from the striatum and projects to the thalamus and the cerebral cortex through it. It has internal and external segments.

So, we can say that the lenticular nucleus is the union of two structures. Now, it is made up of gray matter, is cuneiform and is attached to the internal and external capsules. Above all, the neurotransmitters GABA and acetylcholine are present in it, along with the peptide enkephalin.

Now, besides the lenticular nucleus, what are the other parts of the basal ganglia?

Striatum. Substantia nigra. Caudate nucleus. Nucleus accumbens. Subthalamic nucleus.

These ganglia are a set of interconnected nuclei that are located around the limbic system and third ventricle.. Its functions are associated with planning, integration, movement control, learning and motivation. Let us remember that, although there are anatomical divisions in each part of the brain, they do not participate in a single function.

Functions of the lenticular nucleus

Its functions are varied. We emphasize the main ones:

Motivation. It integrates information, allowing knowledge and stimuli to be linked. Incredible true?Learning. It is mainly related to procedural learning. In addition, I intervened in the categorization process, which makes it easier to organize the information. So, participate in the acquisition and improvement of our skills.Movements. It has to do with the automation of movements, since it intervenes in different processes, such as habituation. In addition, it participates in maintaining posture and coordinating movement. On the other hand, the putamen is related to the movement of the muscles of the face and extremities.

To execute these functions, the lenticular nucleus establishes connections with the cerebral cortex and the thalamic nuclei. This communication can occur bidirectionally.

Disorders associated with the lenticular nucleus

This nucleus can be associated with subcortical dementias. For example, those produced by Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’s Korea, associated with the inability or difficulty to coordinate and perform movements, whether or not at rest, accompanied by a deficit in executive functions and memory.

It is also associated with psychomotor disorders. For example, Parkinson’s Disease, since the basal ganglia are affected. Additionally, in other movement disorders, such as ataxia, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and other tics.

On the other hand, This nucleus can be involved in some mental disorders. It is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, since both the caudate nucleus and the putamen are hyperactivated. Furthermore, abnormal functioning of the lenticular nucleus also seems to play a role in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as it interferes with motivation, learning and favors the appearance of tics.

In sum, the lenticular nucleus is essential for our body. We have seen that it is involved in very different functions, such as motor functions or attention management. In addition, it helps us to be more organized and structured with information; In this way, it enhances our learning. Now, its alterations can directly attack our well-being, and with it our quality of life.

You might be interested…