Illustrated Medical Physiology

96 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY ously hot object well before the heat or pain is perceived. Dorsal root This type of reflex protects the organism before higher ganglion cell CNS levels identify the problem. Some reflexes are simple, Ia others much more complex. Even the simplest requires co- ordinated action in which the agonist contracts while the antagonist relaxes. The functional unit of a reflex consists of a sensor, an afferent pathway, an integrating center, an Muscle efferent pathway, and an effector. The sensory receptors spindle for spinal reflexes are the proprioceptors and cutaneous re- ceptors. Impulses initiated in these receptors travel along afferent nerves to the spinal cord, where interneurons and motor neurons constitute the integrating center. The final common path, or motor neurons, make up the efferent pathway to the effector organs, the skeletal muscles. The responsiveness of such a functional unit can be modulated by higher motor centers acting through descending path- ways to facilitate or inhibit its activation. Study of the three types of spinal reflexes—the my- otatic, the inverse myotatic, and the flexor withdrawal— Alpha motor neurons provides a basis for understanding the general mechanism of reflexes. The Myotatic (Muscle Stretch) Reflex. Stretching or FIGURE 5.8 Myotatic reflex circuitry. Ia afferent axons elongating a muscle—such as when the patellar tendon is from the muscle spindle make excitatory mono- tapped with a reflex hammer or when a quick change in synaptic contact with homonymous motor neurons and with in- posture is made—causes it to contract within a short time hibitory interneurons that synapse on motor neurons of antago- period. The period between the onset of a stimulus and the nist muscles. The plus sign indicates excitation; the minus sign response, the latency period, is on the order of 30 msec for indicates inhibition. a knee-jerk reflex in a human. This response, called the my- otatic or muscle stretch reflex, is due to monosynaptic cir- cuitry, where an afferent sensory neuron synapses directly on the efferent motor neuron (Fig 5.8). The stretch acti- The myotatic reflex performs many functions. At the vates muscle spindles. Type Ia sensory axons from the spin- most general level, it produces rapid corrections of motor dle carry action potentials to the spinal cord, where they output in the moment-to-moment control of movement. It synapse directly on motor neurons of the same (homony- also forms the basis for postural reflexes, which maintain mous) muscle that was stretched and on motor neurons of body position despite a varying range of loads and/or ex- synergistic (heteronymous) muscles. These synapses are ternal forces on the body. excitatory and utilize glutamate as the neurotransmitter. Monosynaptic type Ia synapses occur predominantly on al- The Inverse Myotatic Reflex. The active contraction of a pha motor neurons; gamma motor neurons seemingly lack muscle also causes reflex inhibition of the contraction. This such connections. response is called the inverse myotatic reflex because it Collateral branches of type Ia axons also synapse on in- produces an effect that is opposite to that of the myotatic terneurons, whose action then inhibits motor neurons of reflex. Active muscle contraction stimulates Golgi tendon antagonist muscles (see Fig 5.8). This synaptic pattern, organs, producing action potentials in the type Ib afferent called reciprocal inhibition, serves to coordinate muscles axons. Those axons synapse on inhibitory interneurons that of opposing function around a joint. Secondary (type II) influence homonymous and heteronymous motor neurons spindle afferent fibers also synapse with homonymous mo- and on excitatory interneurons that influence motor neu- tor neurons, providing excitatory input through both rons of antagonists (Fig 5.9). monosynaptic and polysynaptic pathways. Golgi tendon The function of the inverse myotatic reflex appears to organ input via type Ib axons has an inhibitory influence on be a tension feedback system that can adjust the strength homonymous motor neurons. of contraction during sustained activity. The inverse my- The myotatic reflex has two components: a phasic part, otatic reflex does not have the same function as recipro- exemplified by tendon jerks, and a tonic part, thought to be cal inhibition. Reciprocal inhibition acts primarily on the important for maintaining posture. The phasic component antagonist, while the inverse myotatic reflex acts on the is more familiar. These components blend together, but ei- agonist. ther one may predominate, depending on whether other The inverse myotatic reflex, like the myotatic reflex, has synaptic activity, such as from cutaneous afferent neurons a more potent influence on the physiological extensor mus- or pathways descending from higher centers, influences the cles than on the flexor muscles, suggesting that the two re- motor response. Primary spindle afferent fibers probably flexes act together to maintain optimal responses in the mediate the tendon jerk, with secondary afferent fibers antigravity muscles during postural adjustments. Another contributing mainly to the tonic phase of the reflex. hypothesis about the conjoint function is that both of these

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 97 Dorsal root Dorsal root ganglion cell ganglion cell Ib Cutaneous afferent input Agonist muscle Alpha Ipsilateral motor flexors Contralateral neurons flexors Antagonist muscle Golgi tendon Ipsilateral Contralateral organ extensors extensors Inverse myotatic reflex circuitry. Contrac- FIGURE 5.10 Flexor withdrawal reflex circuitry. Stimula- FIGURE 5.9 tion of cutaneous afferents activates ipsilateral tion of the agonist muscle activates the Golgi tendon organ and Ib afferents, which synapse on interneurons flexor muscles via excitatory interneurons. Ipsilateral extensor that inhibit agonist motor neurons and excite the motor neurons motor neurons are inhibited. Contralateral extensor motor neuron of the antagonist muscle. activation provides postural support for withdrawal of the stimu- lated limb. reflexes contribute to the smooth generation of tension in bility (flexor withdrawal). The reflexes provide a founda- muscle by regulating muscle stiffness. tion of automatic responses on which more complicated voluntary movements are built. The Flexor Withdrawal Reflex. Cutaneous stimulation— such as touch, pressure, heat, cold, or tissue damage—can The Spinal Cord Can Produce elicit a flexor withdrawal reflex. This reflex consists of a contraction of flexors and a relaxation of extensors in the Basic Locomotor Actions stimulated limb. The action may be accompanied by a con- For locomotion, muscle action must occur in the limbs, traction of the extensors on the contralateral side. The ax- but the posture of the trunk must also be controlled to ons of cutaneous sensory receptors synapse on interneurons provide a foundation from which the limb muscles can in the dorsal horn. Those interneurons act ipsilaterally to act. For example, when a human takes a step forward, not excite the motor neurons of flexor muscles and inhibit only must the advancing leg flex at the hip and knee, the those of extensor muscles. Collaterals of interneurons cross opposite leg and bilateral truncal muscles must also be the midline to excite contralateral extensor motor neurons properly activated to prevent collapse of the body as and inhibit flexors (Fig. 5.10). weight is shifted from one leg to the other. Responsibility There are two types of flexor withdrawal reflexes: those for the different functions that come together in success- that result from innocuous stimuli and those that result from ful locomotion is divided between several levels of the potentially injurious stimulation. The first type produces a central nervous system. localized flexor response accompanied by slight or no limb Studies in experimental animals, mostly cats, have withdrawal; the second type produces widespread flexor demonstrated that the spinal cord contains the capability contraction throughout the limb and abrupt withdrawal. for generating basic locomotor movements. This neural cir- The function of the first type of reflex is less obvious, but cuitry, called a central pattern generator, can produce the may be a general mechanism for adjusting the movement of alternating contraction of limb flexors and extensors that is a body part when an obstacle is detected by cutaneous sen- needed for walking. It has been shown experimentally that sory input. The function of the second type is protection of application of an excitatory amino acid like glutamate to the individual. The endangered body part is rapidly re- the spinal cord produces rhythmic action potentials in mo- moved, and postural support of the opposite side is tor neurons. Each limb has its own pattern generator, and strengthened if needed (e.g., if the foot is being withdrawn). the actions of different limbs are then coordinated. The Collectively, these reflexes provide for stability and pos- normal strategy for generating basic locomotion engages tural support (the myotatic and inverse myotatic) and mo- central pattern generators and uses both sensory feedback

98 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY and efferent impulses from higher motor control centers for the refinement of control. SC Cerebellum ca Spinal Cord Injury Alters Voluntary Red Vestibular and Reflex Motor Activity nucleus IV v. nuclei When the spinal cord of a human or other mammal is se- mc verely injured, voluntary and reflex movements are imme- Reticular formation diately lost caudal to the level of injury. This acute impair- ment of function is called spinal shock. The loss of voluntary motor control is termed plegia, and the loss of re- Pons Medulla flexes is termed areflexia. Spinal shock may last from days to months, depending on the severity of cord injury. Re- FIGURE 5.11 Brainstem nuclei of descending motor path- flexes tend to return, as may some degree of voluntary con- ways. The magnocellular portion of the red trol. As recovery proceeds, myotatic reflexes become hy- nucleus is the origin of the rubrospinal tract. The lateral vestibular peractive, as demonstrated by an excessively vigorous nucleus is the source of the vestibulospinal tract. The reticular response to tapping the muscle tendon with a reflex ham- formation is the source of two tracts, one from the pontine por- mer. Tendon tapping, or even limb repositioning that pro- tion and one from the medulla. Structures illustrated are from the duces a change in the muscle length, may also provoke monkey. SC, superior colliculus; ca, cerebral aqueduct; IV v., fourth ventricle; Red nucleus mc, red nucleus magnocellular area. clonus, a condition characterized by repetitive contraction and relaxation of a muscle in an oscillating fashion every second or so, in response to a single stimulus. Flexor with- drawal reflexes may also reappear and be provoked by scending pathways act through synaptic connections on in- lesser stimuli than would be normally required. The acute terneurons. The connection is less commonly made di- loss and eventual overactivity of all of these reflexes results rectly with motor neurons. from the lack of influence of the neural tracts that descend from higher motor control centers to the motor neurons The Rubrospinal Tract. The red nucleus of the mesen- and associated interneuron pools. cephalon receives major input from both the cerebellum and the cerebral cortical motor areas. Output via the rubrospinal tract is directed predominantly to contralateral SUPRASPINAL INFLUENCES spinal motor neurons that are involved with movements of ON MOTOR CONTROL the distal limbs. The axons of the rubrospinal tract are lo- cated in the lateral spinal white matter, just anterior to the Descending signals from the cervical spinal cord, brain- corticospinal tract. Rubrospinal action enhances the func- stem, and cortex can influence the rate of motor neuron fir- tion of motor neurons innervating limb flexor muscles ing and the recruitment of additional motor neurons to in- while inhibiting extensors. This tract may also influence crease the speed and force of muscle contraction. The gamma motor neuron function. influence of higher motor control centers is illustrated by a Electrophysiological studies reveal that many rubrospinal walking dog whose right and left limbs show alternating neurons are active during locomotion, with more than half contractions and then change to a running pattern in which showing increased activity during the swing phase of step- both sides contract in synchrony. ping, when the flexors are most active. This system appears The brainstem contains the neural circuitry for initiating to be important for the production of movement, especially locomotion and for controlling posture. The maintenance of in the distal limbs. Experimental lesions that interrupt posture requires coordinated activity of both axial and limb rubrospinal axons produce deficits in distal limb flexion, with muscles in response to input from proprioceptors and spatial little change in more proximal muscles. In higher animals, position sensors, such as the inner ear. Cerebral cortex input the corticospinal tract supersedes some of the function of the through the corticospinal system is necessary for the control rubrospinal tract. of fine individual movements of the distal limbs and digits. Each higher level of the nervous system acts on lower levels The Vestibulospinal Tract. The vestibular system regu- to produce appropriate, more refined movements. lates muscular function for the maintenance of posture in response to changes in the position of the head in space and accelerations of the body. There are four major nuclei in The Brainstem Is the Origin of Three Descending the vestibular complex: the superior, lateral, medial, and Tracts That Influence Movement inferior vestibular nuclei. These nuclei, located in the pons Three brainstem nuclear groups give rise to descending and medulla, receive afferent action potentials from the motor tracts that influence motor neurons and their associ- vestibular portion of the ear, which includes the semicircu- ated interneurons. These consist of the red nucleus, the lar canals, the utricle, and the saccule (see Chapter 4). In- vestibular nuclear complex, and the reticular formation formation about rotatory and linear motions of the head (Fig. 5.11). The other major descending influence on the and body are conveyed by this system. The vestibular nu- motor neurons is the corticospinal tract, the only volitional clei are reciprocally connected with the superior colliculus control pathway in the motor system. In most cases, the de- on the dorsal surface of the mesencephalon. Input from the

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 99 retina is received there and is utilized in adjusting eye posi- axons have inhibitory influences on interneurons that mod- tion during movement of the head. Reciprocal connections ulate extensor motor neurons. to the vestibular nuclei are also made with the cerebellum and reticular formation. The chief output to the spinal cord is the vestibu- The Terminations of the Brainstem Motor Tracts lospinal tract, which originates predominantly from the Correlate With Their Functions lateral vestibular nucleus. The tract’s axons are located in the anterior-lateral white matter and carry excitatory action The vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts descend medi- potentials to ipsilateral extensor motor neuron pools, both ally in the spinal cord and terminate in the ventromedial alpha and gamma. The extensor motor neurons and their part of the intermediate zone, an area in the gray matter musculature are important in the maintenance of posture. containing propriospinal interneurons (Fig. 5.12). There Lesions in the brainstem secondary to stroke or trauma may are also some direct connections with motor neurons of the abnormally enhance the influence of the vestibulospinal neck and back muscles and the proximal limb muscles. tract and produce dramatic clinical manifestations (see These tracts are the main CNS pathways for maintaining Clinical Focus Box 5.1). posture and head position during movement. The rubrospinal tract descends laterally in the spinal cord and terminates mostly on interneurons in the lateral spinal The Reticulospinal Tract. The reticular formation in the intermediate zone, but it also has some monosynaptic con- central gray matter core of the brainstem contains many nections directly on motor neurons to muscles of the distal axon bundles interwoven with cells of various shapes and extremities. This tract supplements the medial descending sizes. A prominent characteristic of reticular formation pathways in postural control and the corticospinal tract for neurons is that their axons project widely in ascending and independent movements of the extremities. descending pathways, making multiple synaptic connec- In accordance with their medial or lateral distributions to tions throughout the neuraxis. The medial region of the spinal motor neurons, the reticulospinal and vestibulospinal reticular formation contains large neurons that project up- tracts are thought to be most important for the control of ward to the thalamus, as well as downward to the spinal axial and proximal limb muscles, whereas the rubrospinal cord. Afferent input to the reticular formation comes from (and corticospinal) tracts are most important for the control the spinal cord, vestibular nuclei, cerebellum, lateral hypo- of distal limb muscles, particularly the flexors. thalamus, globus pallidus, tectum, and sensorimotor cortex. Two areas of the reticular formation are important in the control of motor neurons. The descending tracts arise from Sensory and Motor Systems Work Together the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis and nucleus reticularis to Control Posture pontis caudalis in the pons, and from the nucleus reticu- laris gigantocellularis in the medulla. The pontine reticular The maintenance of an upright posture in humans requires area gives rise to the ipsilateral pontine reticulospinal active muscular resistance against gravity. For movement to tract, whose axons descend in the medial spinal cord white occur, the initial posture must be altered by flexing some matter. These axons carry excitatory action potentials to body parts against gravity. Balance must be maintained dur- interneurons that influence alpha and gamma motor neuron ing movement, which is achieved by postural reflexes initi- pools of axial muscles. The medullary area gives rise to the ated by several key sensory systems. Vision, the vestibular medullary reticulospinal tract, whose axons descend system, and the somatosensory system are important for mostly ipsilateral in the anterior spinal white matter. These postural reflexes. CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 5.1 Decerebrate Rigidity hemorrhage bilaterally in the upper pons and lower A patient with a history of poorly controlled hyperten- mesencephalon. sion, a result of noncompliance with his medication, is The posture this patient demonstrated in response to a brought to the emergency department because of sud- noxious stimulus is termed decerebrate rigidity. Its den collapse and subsequent unresponsiveness. A neu- presence is associated with lesions of the mesencephalon rological examination performed about 30 minutes after that isolate the portions of the brainstem below that level onset of the collapse shows no response to verbal stim- from the influence of higher centers. The abnormal pos- uli. No spontaneous movements of the limbs are ob- ture is a result of extreme activation of the antigravity ex- servable. A mildly painful stimulus, compression of the tensor muscles by the unopposed action of the lateral soft tissue of the supraorbital ridge, causes immediate vestibular nucleus and the vestibulospinal tract. A model extension of the neck and both arms and legs. This pos- of this condition can be produced in experimental animals ture relaxes within a few seconds after the stimulation by a surgical lesion located between the mesencephalon is stopped. After the patient is stabilized medically, he and pons. It can also be shown in experimental animals undergoes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study that a destructive lesion of the lateral vestibular nucleus re- of the brain. The study demonstrates a large area of lieves the rigidity on that side.

100 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Vestibulospinal but three criteria may be used. An area is said to have a mo- tract tor function if Rubrospinal Reticulospinal tract tract • Stimulation using very low current strengths elicits Medullary movements. Pontine Cervical • Destruction of the area results in a loss of motor func- tion. • The area has output connections going directly or rela- tively directly (i.e., with a minimal number of interme- diate connections) to the motor neurons. Some cortical areas fulfill all of these criteria and have exclusively motor functions. Other areas fulfill only some of the criteria yet are involved in movement, particularly volitional movement. Distinct Cortical Areas Participate Lumbar in Voluntary Movement The primary motor cortex (MI), Brodmann’s area 4, fulfills all three criteria for a motor area (Fig. 5.13). The supple- mentary motor cortex (MII), which also fulfills all three cri- teria, is rostral and medial to MI in Brodmann’s area 6. Other areas that fulfill some of the criteria include the rest of Brodmann’s area 6; areas 1, 2, and 3 of the postcentral Medially Laterally descending descending system system Brainstem motor control tracts. The vestibu- FIGURE 5.12 lospinal and reticulospinal tracts influence mo- tor neurons that control axial and proximal limb muscles. The rubrospinal tract influences motor neurons controlling distal limb muscles. Excitatory pathways are shown in red. Somatosensory input provides information about the position and movement of one part of the body with re- spect to others. The vestibular system provides information about the position and movement of the head and neck with respect to the external world. Vision provides both types of information, as well as information about objects in the external world. Visual and vestibular reflexes interact to produce coordinated head and eye movements associ- ated with a shift in gaze. Vestibular reflexes and so- matosensory neck reflexes interact to produce reflex changes in limb muscle activity. The quickest of these compensations occurs at about twice the latency of the monosynaptic myotatic reflex. These response types are termed long loop reflexes. The extra time reflects the ac- tion of other neurons at different anatomic levels of the nervous system. Brodmann’s cytoarchitectural map of the FIGURE 5.13 THE ROLE OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX human cerebral cortex. Area 4 is the primary IN MOTOR CONTROL motor cortex (MI); area 6 is the premotor cortex and includes the supplementary motor area (MII) on the medial aspect of the The cerebral cortical areas concerned with motor function hemisphere; area 8 influences voluntary eye movements; areas 1, exert the highest level of motor control. It is difficult to for- 2, 3, 5, and 7 have sensory functions but also contribute axons to mulate an unequivocal definition of a cortical motor area, the corticospinal tract.

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 101 gyrus; and areas 5 and 7 of the parietal lobe. All of these ar- Neurons in MI encode the capability to control muscle eas contribute fibers to the corticospinal tract, the efferent force, muscle length, joint movement, and position. The motor pathway from the cortex. area receives somatosensory input, both cutaneous and pro- prioceptive, via the ventrobasal thalamus. The cerebellum The Primary Motor Cortex (MI). This cortical area corre- projects to MI via the red nucleus and ventrolateral thala- sponds to Brodmann’s area 4 in the precentral gyrus. Area 4 mus. Other afferent projections come from the nonspecific is structured in six well-defined layers (I to VI), with layer I nuclei of the thalamus, the contralateral motor cortex, and being closest to the pial surface. Afferent fibers terminate in many other ipsilateral cortical areas. There are many axons layers I to V. Thalamic afferent fibers terminate in two lay- between the precentral (motor) and postcentral (so- ers; those that carry somatosensory information end in matosensory) gyri and many connections to the visual cor- layer IV, and those from nonspecific nuclei end in layer I. tical areas. Because of their connections with the so- Cerebellar afferents terminate in layer IV. Efferent axons matosensory cortex, the cortical motor neurons can also arise in layers V and VI to descend as the corticospinal respond to sensory stimulation. For example, cells inner- tract. Body areas are represented in an orderly manner, as vating a particular muscle may respond to cutaneous stim- somatotopic maps, in the motor and sensory cortical areas uli originating in the area of skin that moves when that (Fig 5.14). Those parts of the body that perform fine muscle is active, and they may respond to proprioceptive movements, such as the digits and the facial muscles, are stimulation from the muscle to which they are related. controlled by a greater number of neurons that occupy Many efferent fibers from the primary motor cortex termi- more cortical territory than the neurons for the body parts nate in brain areas that contribute to ascending somatic only capable of gross movements. sensory pathways. Through these connections, the motor Low-level electrical stimulation of MI produces twitch- cortex can control the flow of somatosensory information like contraction of a few muscles or, less commonly, a sin- to motor control centers. gle muscle. Slightly stronger stimuli also produce responses The close coupling of sensory and motor functions may in adjacent muscles. Movements elicited from area 4 have play a role in two cortically controlled reflexes that were the lowest stimulation thresholds and are the most discrete originally described in experimental animals as being im- of any movements elicited by stimulation. Stimulation of portant for maintaining normal body support during loco- MI limb areas produces contralateral movement, while cra- motion—the placing and hopping reactions. The placing nial cortical areas may produce bilateral motor responses. reaction can be demonstrated in a cat by holding it so that Destruction of any part of the primary motor cortex leads its limbs hang freely. Contact of any part of the animal’s to immediate paralysis of the muscles controlled by that foot with the edge of a table provokes immediate place- area. In humans, some function may return weeks to ment of the foot on the table surface. The hopping reaction months later, but the movements lack the fine degree mus- is demonstrated by holding an animal so that it stands on cle control of the normal state. For example, after a lesion one leg. If the body is moved forward, backward, or to the in the arm area of MI, the use of the hand recovers, but the side, the leg hops in the direction of the movement so that capacity for discrete finger movements does not. the foot is kept directly under the shoulder or hip, stabiliz- ing the body position. Lesions of the contralateral precen- tral or postcentral gyrus abolish placing. Hopping is abol- ished by a contralateral lesion of the precentral gyrus. Sulcus The Supplementary Motor Cortex (MII). The MII corti- MII cinguli cal area is located on the medial surface of the hemispheres, above the cingulate sulcus, and rostral to the leg area of the primary motor cortex (see Fig. 5.14). This cortical region within Brodmann’s area 6 has no clear cytoarchitectural Longitudinal fissure boundaries; that is, the shapes and sizes of cells and their MI processes are not obviously compartmentalized, as in the layers of MI. Electrical stimulation of MII produces movements, but a greater strength of stimulating current is required than for MI. Central sulcus The movements produced by stimulation are also qualita- tively different from MI; they last longer, the postures elicited may remain after the stimulation is over, and the movements are less discrete. Bilateral responses are common. MII is re- ciprocally connected with MI, and receives input from other motor cortical areas. Experimental lesions in MI eliminate the Sylvian ability of MII stimulation to produce movements. fissure Current knowledge is insufficient to adequately describe the unique role of MII in higher motor functions. MII is A cortical map of motor functions. Primary FIGURE 5.14 thought to be active in bimanual tasks, in learning and motor cortex (MI) and supplementary motor cortex (MII) areas in the monkey brain. MII is on the medial as- preparing for the execution of skilled movements, and in pect of the hemisphere. the control of muscle tone. The mechanisms that underlie

102 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY the more complex aspects of movement, such as thinking Primary motor about and performing skilled movements and using com- cortex (area 4) plex sensory information to guide movement, remain in- completely understood. The Primary Somatosensory Cortex and Superior Pari- etal Lobe. The primary somatosensory cortex (Brod- mann’s areas 1, 2, and 3) lies on the postcentral gyrus (see Fig. 5.13) and has a role in movement. Electrical stimula- tion here can produce movement, but thresholds are 2 to 3 times higher than in MI. The somatosensory cortex is re- ciprocally interconnected with MI in a somatotopic pat- tern—for example, arm areas of sensory cortex project to arm areas of motor cortex. Efferent fibers from areas 1, 2, Internal and 3 travel in the corticospinal tract and terminate in the capsule dorsal horn areas of the spinal cord. The superior parietal lobe (Brodmann’s areas 5 and 7) also has important motor functions. In addition to con- tributing fibers to the corticospinal tract, it is well con- nected to the motor areas in the frontal lobe. Lesion stud- ies in animals and humans suggest this area is important for the utilization of complex sensory information in the pro- duction of movement. Medullary pyramidal decussation The Corticospinal Tract Is the Primary Efferent Path From the Cortex Lateral corticospinal Traditionally, the descending motor tract originating in the tract cerebral cortex has been called the pyramidal tract because it traverses the medullary pyramids on its way to the spinal cord (Fig. 5.15). This path is the corticospinal tract. All other descending motor tracts emanating from the brain- stem were generally grouped together as the extrapyrami- dal system. Cells in Brodmann’s area 4 (MI) contribute 30% of the corticospinal fibers; area 6 (MII) is the origin of 30% of the fibers; and the parietal lobe, especially Brodmann’s areas 1, 2, and 3, supplies 40%. In primates, 10 to 20% of Upper motor corticospinal fibers ends directly on motor neurons; the neuron others end on interneurons associated with motor neurons. From the cerebral cortex, the corticospinal tract axons descend through the brain along a path located between the basal ganglia and the thalamus, known as the internal capsule. They then continue along the ventral brainstem as the cerebral peduncles and on through the pyramids of the medulla. Most of the corticospinal axons cross the midline in the medullary pyramids; thus, the motor cortex in each hemisphere controls the muscles on the contralateral side of the body. After crossing in the medulla, the corticospinal Lower motor axons descend in the dorsal lateral columns of the spinal neuron cord and terminate in lateral motor pools that control dis- tal muscles of the limbs. A smaller group of axons do not FIGURE 5.15 The corticospinal tract. Axons arising from cross in the medulla and descend in the ventral spinal cortical neurons, including the primary motor columns. These axons terminate in the motor pools and ad- area, descend through the internal capsule, decussate in the jacent intermediate zones that control the axial and proxi- medulla, travel in the lateral area of the spinal cord as the lateral corticospinal tract, and terminate on motor neurons and interneu- mal musculature. rons in the ventral horn areas of the spinal cord. Note the upper The corticospinal tract is estimated to contain about 1 and lower motor neuron designations. million axons at the level of the medullary pyramid. The largest-diameter, heavily myelinated axons are between 9 and 20
m in diameter, but that population accounts for only a small fraction of the total. Most corticospinal axons are small, 1 to 4
m in diameter, and half are unmyelinated.

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 103 In addition to the direct corticospinal tract, there are Cerebral other indirect pathways by which cortical fibers influence cortex motor function. Some cortical efferent fibers project to the reticular formation, then to the spinal cord via the reticu- lospinal tract; others project to the red nucleus, then to the spinal cord via the rubrospinal tract. Despite the fact that these pathways involve intermediate neurons on the way to Caudate the cord, volleys relayed through the reticular formation can nucleus reach the spinal cord motor circuitry at the same time as, or Thalamus Direct Striatum earlier than, some volleys along the corticospinal tract. Putamen GPe Indirect THE BASAL GANGLIA AND MOTOR CONTROL GPi The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei located SNc SNr primarily in the base of the forebrain, with some in the di- SUB encephalon and upper brainstem. The striatum, globus pal- lidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra comprise the basal ganglia. Input is derived from the cerebral cortex MBEA SC and output is directed to the cortical and brainstem areas concerned with movement. Basal ganglia action influences FIGURE 5.16 Basal ganglia nuclei and circuitry. The cir- the entire motor system and plays a role in the preparation cuit of cerebral cortex to striatum to GPi to and execution of coordinated movements. thalamus and back to the cortex is the main pathway for basal The forebrain (telencephalic) components of the basal ganglia influence on motor control. Note the direct and indirect ganglia consist of the striatum, which is made up of the pathways involving the striatum, GPi, GPe, and subthalamic nu- caudate nucleus and the putamen, and the globus pallidus. cleus. GPi output is also directed to the midbrain extrapyramidal The caudate nucleus and putamen are histologically identi- area (MBEA). The SNr to SC pathway is important in eye move- ments. Excitatory pathways are shown in red, inhibitory pathways cal but are separated anatomically by fibers of the anterior are in black. GPe and GPi, globus pallidus externa and interna; limb of the internal capsule. The globus pallidus has two SUB, subthalamic nucleus; SNc and SNr, substantia nigra pars subdivisions: the external segment (GPe), adjacent to the compacta and pars reticulata; SC, superior colliculus. medial aspect of the putamen, and the internal segment (GPi), medial to the GPe. The other main nuclei of the basal ganglia are the subthalamic nucleus in the dien- similar to the GPi. The output is directed to the superior col- cephalon and the substantia nigra in the mesencephalon. liculus of the mesencephalon, which is involved in eye movement control. The GPi and SNr output is inhibitory via neurons that use GABA as the neurotransmitter. The Basal Ganglia Are Extensively Interconnected The internal pathway circuits link the various nuclei of Although the circuitry of the basal ganglia appears complex the basal ganglia. The globus pallidus externa (GPe), the at first glance, it can be simplified into input, output, and subthalamic nucleus, and the pars compacta region of the internal pathways (Fig. 5.16). Input is derived from the substantia nigra (SNc) are the nuclei in these pathways. The cerebral cortex and is directed to the striatum and the sub- GPe receives inhibitory input from the striatum via GABA- thalamic nucleus. The predominant nerve cell type in the releasing neurons. The output of the GPe is also inhibitory striatum is termed the medium spiny neuron, based on its via GABA release and is directed to the GPi and the sub- cell body size and dendritic structure. This type of neuron thalamic nucleus. The subthalamic nucleus output is excita- receives input from all of the cerebral cortex except for the tory and is directed to the GPi and the SNr. This striatum- primary visual and auditory areas. The input is roughly so- GPe-subthalamic nucleus-GPi circuit has been termed the matotopic and is via neurons that use glutamate as the neu- indirect pathway in contrast to the direct pathway of stria- rotransmitter. The putamen receives the majority of the tum to Gpi (see Fig. 5.16). The SNc receives inhibitory in- cortical input from sensorimotor areas. Input to the sub- put from the striatum and produces output back to the stria- thalamus is from the cortical areas concerned with motor tum via dopamine-releasing neurons. The output can be function, including eye movement, and is also via gluta- either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the receptor mate-releasing neurons. type of the target neurons in the striatum. The action of the Basal ganglia output is from the internal segment of the SNc may modulate cortical input to the striatum. globus pallidus (GPi) and one segment of the substantia ni- gra. The GPi output is directed to ventrolateral and ventral The Functions of the Basal Ganglia anterior nuclei of the thalamus, which feed back to the cor- tical motor areas. The output of the GPi is also directed to a Are Partially Revealed by Disease region in the upper brainstem termed the midbrain ex- Basal ganglia diseases produce profound motor dysfunction trapyramidal area. This latter area then projects to the neu- in humans and experimental animals. The disorders can re- rons of the reticulospinal tract. The substantia nigra output sult in reduced motor activity, hypokinesis, or abnormally arises from the pars reticulata (SNr), which is histologically enhanced activity, hyperkinesis. Two well-known neuro-

104 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY logical conditions that show histological abnormality in secondary to the loss of inhibitory influence of the striatum basal ganglia structures, Parkinson’s disease and Hunting- through the direct pathway. ton’s disease, illustrate the effects of basal ganglia dysfunc- tion. Patients with Parkinson’s disease show a general slowness of initiation of movement and paucity of move- THE CEREBELLUM IN THE ment when in motion. The latter takes the form of reduced CONTROL OF MOVEMENT arm swing and lack of truncal swagger when walking. These patients also have a resting tremor of the hands, described The cerebellum, or “little brain,” lies caudal to the occipital as “pill rolling.” The tremor stops when the hand goes into lobe and is attached to the posterior aspect of the brainstem active motion. At autopsy, patients with Parkinson’s disease through three paired fiber tracts: the inferior, middle, and show a severe loss of dopamine-containing neurons in the superior cerebellar peduncles. Input to the cerebellum SNc region. Patients with Huntington’s disease have un- comes from peripheral sensory receptors, the brainstem, controllable, quick, brief movements of individual limbs. and the cerebral cortex. The inferior, middle and, to a lesser These movements are similar to what a normal individual degree, superior cerebellar peduncles carry the input. The might show when flicking a fly off a hand or when quickly output projections are mainly, if not totally, to other motor reaching up to scratch an itchy nose. At autopsy, a severe control areas of the central nervous system and are mostly loss of striatal neurons is found. carried in the superior cerebellar peduncle. The cerebellum The function of the basal ganglia in normal individuals contains three pairs of intrinsic nuclei: the fastigial, inter- remains unclear. One theory is that the primary action is to positus (interposed), and dentate. In some classification inhibit undesirable movements, thereby, allowing desired schemes, the interposed nucleus is further divided into the motions to proceed. Neuronal activity is increased in the emboliform and globose nuclei. appropriate areas of the basal ganglia prior to the actual ex- ecution of movement. The basal ganglia act as a brake on The Structural Divisions of the undesirable motion by the inhibitory output of the GPi Cerebellum Correlate With Function back to the cortex through the thalamus. Enhanced output from the GPi increases this braking effect. The loss of The cerebellar surface is arranged in multiple, parallel, lon- dopamine-releasing neurons in Parkinson’s disease is gitudinal folds termed folia. Several deep fissures divide the thought to produce this type of result by reducing in- cerebellum into three main morphological components— hibitory influence on the striatum and, thereby, increasing the anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular lobes, which the excitatory action of the subthalamic nucleus on the GPi also correspond with the functional subdivisions of the through the indirect basal ganglia pathway (see Clinical cerebellum (Fig. 5.17). The functional divisions are the Focus Box 5.2). Hyperkinetic disorders like Huntington’s vestibulocerebellum, the spinocerebellum, and the cerebro- disease are thought to result from decreased GPi output cerebellum. These divisions appear in sequence during evo- CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 5.2 Stereotactic Neurosurgery for Parkinson’s disease mus and results in decreased excitatory drive back to the Parkinson’s disease is a CNS disorder producing a gener- cerebral cortex. alized slowness of movement and resting tremor of the Stereotactic neurosurgery is a technique in which a hands. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the sub- small probe can be precisely placed into a target within stantia nigra pars compacta is the cause of the condition. the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain Treatment with medications that stimulate an increased defines the three-dimensional location of the GPi. The production of dopamine by the surviving substantia nigra surgical probe is introduced into the brain through a neurons has revolutionized the management of Parkin- small hole made in the skull and is guided to the target son’s disease. Unfortunately, the benefit of the medica- by the surgeon using the MRI coordinates. The correct tions tends to lessen after 5 to 10 years of treatment. In- positioning of the probe into the GPi can be further con- creasing difficulty in initiating movement and worsening firmed by recording the electrical activity of the GPi neu- slowness of movement are features of a declining respon- rons with an electrode located at the tip of the probe. GPi siveness to medication. Improved knowledge of basal gan- neurons have a continuous, high frequency firing pattern glia circuitry has enabled neurosurgeons to develop surgi- that, when amplified and presented on a loudspeaker, cal procedures to ameliorate some of the effects of the sounds like heavy rain striking a metal roof. When the advancing disease. target location is reached, the probe is heated to a tem- Degeneration of the dopamine-releasing cells of the perature that destroys a precisely controllable amount of substantia nigra reduces excitatory input to the putamen. the GPi. The inhibitory outflow of the GPi is reduced and Inhibitory output of the putamen to the GPe greatly in- movement improves. creases via the indirect pathway. This results in decreased The use of implantable stimulators to modify activity of inhibitory GPe output to the subthalamic nucleus, which, the basal ganglia nuclei is also being investigated to im- in turn, acts unrestrained to stimulate the GPi. Stimulation prove function in patients with Parkinson’s disease and of the GPi enhances its inhibitory influence on the thala- other types of movement disorders.

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 105 Intermediate fastigial and interposed nuclei contain a complete repre- Vermis zone sentation of the muscles of the body. The fastigial output Lateral system controls antigravity muscles in posture and locomo- zone tion, while the interposed nuclei, perhaps, act on stretch re- Primary flexes and other somatosensory reflexes. fissure The cerebrocerebellum occupies the lateral aspects of the Anterior lobe cerebellar hemispheres. Input comes exclusively from the cerebral cortex, relayed through the middle cerebellar pe- duncles of the pons. The cortical areas that are prominent in motor control are the sources for most of this input. Output Posterior lobe is directed to the dentate nuclei and from there via the ven- trolateral thalamus back to the motor and premotor cortices. The Intrinsic Circuitry of the Cerebellum Is Very Regular The cerebellar cortex is composed of five types of neurons arranged into three layers (Fig. 5.18). The molecular layer Posterolateral fissure Flocculonodular lobe is the outermost and consists mostly of axons and dendrites plus two types of interneurons, stellate cells and basket cells. The next layer contains the dramatic Purkinje cells, whose dendrites reach upward into the molecular layer in a D IP F fan-like array. The Purkinje cells are the only efferent neu- rons of the cerebellar cortex. Their action is inhibitory via V GABA as the neurotransmitter. Deep to the Purkinje cells is the granular layer, containing Golgi cells, and small local The structure of the cerebellum. The three circuit neurons, the granule cells. The granule cells are nu- FIGURE 5.17 lobes are shown: anterior, posterior, and floccu- merous; there are more granule cells in the cerebellum than lonodular. The functional divisions are demarcated by color. The neurons in the entire cerebral cortex! vestibulocerebellum (white) is the flocculonodular lobe and proj- Afferent axons to the cerebellar cortex are of two ects to the vestibular (V) nuclei. The spinocerebellum includes types: mossy fibers and climbing fibers. Mossy fibers the vermis (dark pink) and intermediate zone (pink), which proj- arise from the spinal cord and brainstem neurons, includ- ect to the fastigial (F) and interposed (IP) nuclei, respectively. The cerebrocerebellum (gray) projects to the dentate nuclei (D). ing those of the pons that receive input from the cerebral Parallel fiber lution. The lateral cerebellar hemispheres increase in size along with expansion of the cerebral cortex. The three di- Stellate cell visions have similar intrinsic circuitry; thus, the function of Molecular each depends on the nature of the output nucleus to which layer it projects. Purkinje The vestibulocerebellum is composed of the flocculo- layer nodular lobe. It receives input from the vestibular system and visual areas. Output goes to the vestibular nuclei, Granular which can, in a sense, be considered as an additional pair of layer intrinsic cerebellar nuclei. The vestibulocerebellum func- Basket Golgi cell tions to control equilibrium and eye movements. cell The medially placed spinocerebellum consists of the Purkinje Granule cell midline vermis plus the medial portion of the lateral hemi- cell spheres, called the intermediate zones. Spinocerebellar pathways carrying somatosensory information terminate in the vermis and intermediate zones in somatotopic arrange- Climbing Mossy ments. The auditory, visual, and vestibular systems and sen- fiber fiber sorimotor cortex also project to this portion of the cerebel- lum. Output from the vermis is directed to the fastigial nuclei, which project through the inferior cerebellar pe- duncle to the vestibular nuclei and reticular formation of FIGURE 5.18 Cerebellar circuitry. The cell types and ac- tion potential pathways are shown. Mossy the pons and medulla. Output from the intermediate zones fibers bring afferent input from the spinal cord and the cerebral goes to the interposed nuclei and from there to the red nu- cortex. Climbing fibers bring afferent input from the inferior olive cleus and, ultimately, to the motor cortex via the ventrolat- nucleus in the medulla and synapse directly on the Purkinje cells. eral nucleus of the thalamus. It is believed that both the The Purkinje cells are the efferent pathways of the cerebellum.

106 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY cortex. Mossy fibers make complex multicontact Lesions Reveal the Function of the Cerebellum Lesions synapses on granule cells. The granule cell axons then as- of the cerebellum produce impairment in the coordinated cend to the molecular layer and bifurcate, forming the action of agonists, antagonists, and synergists. This impair- parallel fibers. These travel perpendicular to and synapse ment is clinically known as ataxia. The control of limb, ax- with the dendrites of Purkinje cells, providing excitatory ial, and cranial muscles may be impaired depending on the input via glutamate. Mossy fibers discharge at high tonic site of the cerebellar lesion. Limb ataxia might manifest as rates, 50 to 100 Hz, which increases further during vol- the coarse jerking motions of an arm and hand during untary movement. When mossy fiber input is of sufficient reaching for an object instead of the expected, smooth ac- strength to bring a Purkinje cell to threshold, a single ac- tions. This jerking type of motion is also referred to as ac- tion potential results. tion tremor. The swaying walk of an intoxicated individual Climbing fibers arise from the inferior olive, a nucleus is a vivid example of truncal ataxia. in the medulla. Each climbing fiber synapses directly on the Cerebellar lesions can also produce a reduction in mus- dendrites of a Purkinje cell and exerts a strong excitatory cle tone, hypotonia. This condition is manifest as a notable influence. One action potential in a climbing fiber pro- decrease in the low level of resistance to passive joint duces a burst of action potentials in the Purkinje cell called movement detectable in normally relaxed individuals. My- a complex spike. Climbing fibers also synapse with basket, otatic reflexes produced by tapping a tendon with a reflex Golgi, and stellate interneruons, which then make in- hammer reverberate for several cycles (pendular reflexes) hibitory contact with adjacent Purkinje cells. This circuitry because of impaired damping from the reduced muscle allows a climbing fiber to produce excitation in a single tone. The hypotonia is likely a result of impaired process- Purkinje cell and inhibition in the surrounding ones. ing of cerebellar afferent action potentials from the muscle Mossy and climbing fibers also give off excitatory col- spindles and Golgi tendon organs. lateral axons to the deep cerebellar nuclei before reaching While these lesions establish a picture of the absence of the cerebellar cortex. The cerebellar cortical output (Purk- cerebellar function, we are left without a firm idea of what inje cell efferents) is inhibitory to the cerebellar and the cerebellum does in the normal state. Cerebellar func- vestibular nuclei, but the ultimate output of the cerebellar tion is sometimes described as comparing the intended nuclei is mostly excitatory. A smaller population of neurons with the actual movement and adjusting motor system out- of the deep cerebellar nuclei produces inhibitory outflow put in ongoing movements. Other putative functions in- directed mainly back to the inferior olive. clude a role in learning new motor and even cognitive skills. REVIEW QUESTIONS DIRECTIONS: Each of the numbered (A) Finger flexion (C) Spinocerebellar items or incomplete statements in this (B) Elbow flexion (D) Rubrospinal section is followed by answers or by (C) Shoulder abduction (E) None completions of the statement. Select the (D) Truncal extension 7. What is the location of the primary ONE lettered answer or completion that is (E) No muscles would become abnormal motor area of the cerebral cortex? BEST in each case. 4. Tapping the patellar tendon with a (A) Upper parietal lobe reflex hammer produces a brief (B) Superior temporal lobe 1. Which type of motor unit is of prime contraction of the knee extensors. (C) Precentral gyrus importance in generating the muscle What is the cause of the muscle (D) Postcentral gyrus power necessary for the maintenance contraction? (E) Medial aspect of the hemisphere of posture? (A) Elastic rebound of muscle 8. Concurrent flexion of both wrists in (A) Low threshold, fatigue-resistant connective tissue response to electrical stimulation is (B) High threshold, fatigable (B) Golgi tendon organ response characteristic of which area of the (C) Intrafusal, gamma controlled (C) Muscle spindle activation nervous system? (D) High threshold, high force (D) Muscle spindle unloading (A) Postcentral gyrus (E) Extrafusal, gamma controlled (E) Gamma motor neuron discharge (B) Vestibulospinal tract 2. Which type of sensory receptor 5. The cyclical flexion and extension (C) Dentate nucleus provides information about the force of motions of a leg during walking result (D) Primary motor cortex muscle contraction? from activity at which level of the (E) Supplementary motor cortex (A) Nuclear bag fiber nervous system? 9. If you could histologically examine the (B) Nuclear chain fiber (A) Cerebral cortex spinal cord of a patient who had (C) Golgi tendon organ (B) Cerebellum experienced a viral illness 10 years (D) Bare nerve ending (C) Globus pallidus before in which only the neurons of (E) Type Ia ending (D) Red nucleus the primary motor area of the cerebral 3. If a patient experiences enlargement of (E) Spinal cord cortex were destroyed, what findings the normally rudimentary central canal 6. Which brainstem-derived descending would you expect? of the spinal cord in the midcervical tract produces action similar to the (A) The corticospinal tract would be region, which, if any, muscular corticospinal tract? completely degenerated functions would become abnormal (A) Vestibulospinal (B) The rubrospinal tract would show first? (B) Reticulospinal an increased number of axons (continued)

CHAPTER 5 The Motor System 107 (C) The corticospinal tract would be (D) Increased excitatory output from Parallel substrates for motor, oculomo- about one-third depleted of axons the putamen to the cortex tor, prefrontal, and limbic functions. (D) The alpha motor neurons would be (E) Increased excitatory output from Progr Brain Res 1990;85:119–146. atrophic the thalamus to the cortex Kandel E, Schwartz J, Jessel T, eds. Princi- (E) The corticospinal tract would be 11.Which cerebellar component would be ples of Neural Science. 4th Ed. New normal abnormal in a degenerative disease that York: McGraw-Hill, 2000. 10.A disease that produces decreased affected spinal sensory neurons? Parent A. Carpenter’s Human Neu- inhibitory input to the internal (A) Purkinje cells roanatomy. 9th Ed. Media, PA: segment of the globus pallidus should (B) Mossy fibers Williams & Wilkins, 1996. have what effect on the motor area of (C) Parallel fibers Wichmann T, DeLong MR. Functional the cerebral cortex? (D) Climbing fibers and pathophysiological models of the (A) Increased excitatory feedback (E) Granule cells basal ganglia. Curr Opin Neurobiol directly to the cortex 1996;6:751–758. (B) No effect SUGGESTED READING Zigmond M, Bloom F, Landis S, et al. Fun- (C) Decreased excitatory output from Alexander G, Crutcher M, DeLong M. damentals of Neuroscience. San Diego: the thalamus to the cortex Basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits: Academic Press, 1999.

The Autonomic CHAPTER 6 Nervous System 6 John C. Kincaid, M.D. CHAPTER OUTLINE ■ AN OVERVIEW OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS ■ SPECIFIC ORGAN RESPONSES TO AUTONOMIC SYSTEM ACTIVITY ■ THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ■ CONTROL OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ■ THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM KEY CONCEPTS 1. The autonomic nervous system regulates the involuntary 4. The three divisions have neurochemical differences. functions of the body. 5. The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions differ in 2. The autonomic nervous system has three divisions: sym- anatomic origin and function. pathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric. 6. The central nervous system controls autonomic function 3. A two-neuron efferent path is utilized by the autonomic through a hierarchy of reflexes and integrative centers. nervous system. he sweating sunbather lying quietly in the summer actions of the ANS are joined by circulating endocrine hor- Tsun or the racing heart and “hair-standing-on-end” sen- mones and by locally produced chemical mediators to com- sations experienced by a person suddenly frightened by a plete the control process. horror movie are familiar examples of the body responding automatically to changes in the physical or emotional envi- ronment. These responses occur as a result of the actions of AN OVERVIEW OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS the autonomic portion of the nervous system and take place SYSTEM without conscious action on the part of the individual. The term autonomic is derived from the root auto (meaning “self”) On the basis of anatomic, functional, and neurochemical and nomos (meaning “law”). Our concept of the autonomic differences, the ANS is usually subdivided into three divi- part of the nervous system has evolved during several cen- sions: sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric. The en- turies. The recognition of anatomic differences between teric nervous system is concerned with the regulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nerve pathways that control gastrointestinal function and covered in more detail in visceral functions from those that control skeletal muscles Chapter 26. The sympathetic and parasympathetic divi- was a major step. Observations on the effects of the sub- sions are the primary focus of this chapter. stance released by the vagus nerve on heart rate helped de- Coordination of the body’s activities by the nervous sys- fine unique biochemical features. tem was the process of sympathy in classical anatomic and The functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) physiological thinking. Regulation of the involuntary or- fall into three major categories: gans came to be associated with the portions of the nervous • Maintaining homeostatic conditions within the body system that were located, at least in part, outside the stan- • Coordinating the body’s responses to exercise and stress dard spinal cord and peripheral nerve pathways. The gan- • Assisting the endocrine system to regulate reproduction glia, located along either side of the spine in the thorax and The ANS regulates the functions of the involuntary or- abdominal regions and somewhat detached from the nerve gans, which include the heart, the blood vessels, the ex- trunks destined for the limbs, were found to be associated ocrine glands, and the visceral organs. In some organs, the with involuntary bodily functions and, therefore, desig- 108

CHAPTER 6 The Autonomic Nervous System 109 nated the sympathetic division. This collection of struc- A Two-Neuron Efferent Path Is Utilized by the tures was also termed the thoracolumbar division of the Autonomic Nervous System ANS because of the location of the ganglia and the neuron cell bodies that supply axons to the ganglia. Nuclei and The nervous system supplies efferent innervation to all or- their axons that controlled internal functions were also gans via the motor system (see Chapter 5) or the ANS. In found in the brainstem and associated cranial nerves, as the motor system, there is an uninterrupted path from the well as in the most caudal part of the spinal cord. Those cell body of the motor neuron, located in either the ventral pathways were somewhat distinct from the sympathetic horn of the spinal cord or a brainstem motor nucleus, to the system and were designated the parasympathetic division. skeletal muscle cells. In the ANS, the efferent path consists The term craniosacral was applied to this portion of the of a two-neuron chain with a synapse interposed between ANS because of the origin of cell bodies and axons. the CNS and the effector cells (Fig. 6.1). The cell bodies of Neurochemical differences were recognized between the autonomic motor neurons are located in the spinal cord these two divisions, leading to the designation of the sym- or specific brainstem nuclei. An efferent fiber emerges as pathetic system as adrenergic, for the adrenaline-like ac- the preganglionic axon and then synapses with neurons lo- tions resulting from sympathetic nerve activation; and the cated in a peripheral ganglion. The neuron in the ganglion parasympathetic system as cholinergic, for the acetyl- then projects a postganglionic axon to the autonomic ef- choline-like actions of nerve stimulation. fector cells. The functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are often simplified into a two-part scheme. The The Primary Neurotransmitters of the ANS Are sympathetic division is said to preside over the utilization Acetylcholine and Norepinephrine of metabolic resources and emergency responses of the body. The parasympathetic division presides over the In the somatic nervous system, neurotransmitter is released restoration and buildup of the body’s reserves and the elim- from specialized nerve endings that make intimate contact ination of waste products. In reality, most of the organs with the target structure. The mammalian motor endplate, supplied by the ANS receive both sympathetic and with one nerve terminal to one skeletal muscle fiber, illus- parasympathetic innervation. In many instances, the two trates this principle. This arrangement contrasts with the divisions are activated in a reciprocal fashion, so that if the ANS, where postganglionic axons terminate in varicosities, firing rate in one division is increased, the rate is decreased swellings enriched in synaptic vesicles, which release the in the other. An example is controlling the heart rate: In- transmitter into the extracellular space surrounding the ef- creased firing in the sympathetic nerves and simultaneous fector cells (see Fig. 6.1). The response to the ANS output decreased firing in the parasympathetic nerves result in in- originates in some of the effector cells and then propagates creased heart rate. to the remainder via gap junctions. In some organs, the two divisions work synergistically. For example, during secretion by exocrine glands of the Acetylcholine. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the transmitter re- gastrointestinal tract, the parasympathetic nerves increase leased by the preganglionic nerve terminals of both the volume and enzyme content at the same time that sympa- sympathetic and the parasympathetic divisions (Fig 6.2). thetic activation contributes mucus to the total secretory The synapse at those sites utilizes a nicotinic receptor sim- product. Some organs, such as the skin and blood vessels, ilar in structure to the receptor at the neuromuscular junc- receive only sympathetic innervation and are regulated by tion. Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release ACh a decrease or increase in a baseline firing rate of the sym- at the synapse with the effectors. The postganglionic sym- pathetic nerves. pathetic neurons to the sweat glands and to some blood Autonomic nervous system Somatic motor system Ganglion Preganglionic axon Postganglionic axon Anterior horn cell Neuromuscular Effectors junction Axon Intermediolateral varicosities horn cell Skeletal muscle fibers The efferent path of the ANS as contrasted with the somatic motor system. The FIGURE 6.1 ANS uses a two-neuron pathway. Note the structural differences between the synapses at autonomic effectors and skeletal muscle cells.

110 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY vessels in skeletal muscle also use ACh as the neurotrans- is a drug that acts as an antagonist at  receptors but has no mitter. The synapse between the postganglionic neuron action on
receptors. Each class of receptors is further clas- and the target tissues utilizes a muscarinic receptor. This sified as
1 or
2, and  1,  2, or  3 on the basis of responses receptor classification scheme is based on the response of to additional pharmacological agents. the synapses to the alkaloids nicotine and muscarine, which The adrenergic receptors are of the indirect, ligand- act as agonists at their respective type of synapse. The nico- gated, G protein-linked type. They share a general struc- tinic receptor of the ANS is blocked by the antagonist tural similarity with the muscarinic type of ACh receptor. hexamethonium, in contrast to the neuromuscular junction The
1 receptors activate phospholipase C and increase receptor, which is blocked by curare. The muscarinic re- the intracellular concentrations of diacylglycerol and inos- ceptor is blocked by atropine. itol trisphosphate. The
2 receptors inhibit adenylyl cy- The nicotinic receptor is of the direct ligand-gated type, clase, while the  types stimulate it. The action of NE and meaning that the receptor and the ion channel are con- epinephrine at a synapse is terminated by diffusion of the tained in the same structure. The muscarinic receptor is of molecule away from the synapse and reuptake into the the indirect ligand-gated type and uses a G protein to link nerve terminal. receptor and effector functions (see Chapter 3). The action of ACh is terminated by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Other Neurotransmitters. Neurally active peptides are Choline released by the enzyme action is taken back into often colocalized with small molecule transmitters and are the nerve terminal and resynthesized into ACh. released simultaneously during nerve stimulation in the CNS. This is the same in the ANS, especially in the intrin- Norepinephrine. The catecholamine norepinephrine sic plexuses of the gut, where amines, amino acid transmit- (NE) is the neurotransmitter for postganglionic synapses of ters, and neurally active peptides are widely distributed. In the sympathetic division (see Fig. 6.2). The synapses that the ANS, examples of a colocalized amine and peptide are utilize NE receptors can also be activated by the closely re- seen in the sympathetic division, where NE and neuropep- lated compound epinephrine (adrenaline), which is re- tide Y are coreleased by vasoconstrictor nerves. Vasoactive leased into the general circulation by the adrenal medulla— intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin-gene-related hence, the original designation of these type receptors as peptide (CGRP) are released along with ACh from nerve adrenergic. Adrenergic receptors are classified as either
terminals innervating the sweat glands. or , based on their responses to pharmacological agents Nitric oxide is another type of neurotransmitter pro- that mimic or block the actions of NE and related com- duced by some autonomic nerve endings. The term non- pounds. Alpha receptors respond best to epinephrine, less adrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) has been applied to well to NE, and least well to the synthetic compound iso- such nerves. Nitric oxide is a highly diffusible substance im- proterenol. Beta receptors respond best to isoproterenol, portant in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction, less well to epinephrine, and least well to NE. Propranolol (see Chapter 1). Autonomic nervous system Parasympathetic division Nicotine CH 3 Muscarine N HO CH N + 3 CH N CH H C O 2 3 3 Nicotinic CH 3 receptor Muscarinic Thoracic ACh receptor spinal ACh cord Sympathetic division Nicotinic receptor α or β receptor ACh O CH 3 + CH 3 C O CH 2 CH 2 N CH 3 NE CH 3 HO FIGURE 6.2 The neurochemistry of the auto- HO CHCH 2 NH 2 nomic paths. The structures of the neurotransmitters and the agonists for which the OH synapses were originally named are shown.

CHAPTER 6 The Autonomic Nervous System 111 Dorsal root thetic axons to the cervical and lumbosacral spinal nerves ganglion Ventral (Fig. 6.4). The preganglionic axons that ascend to the cer- nerve root vical levels arise from T1 to T5 and form three major gan- Sympathetic glia: the superior, the middle, and the inferior cervical chain ganglia. Preganglionic axons descend below L3, forming two additional lumbar and at least four sacral ganglia. The preganglionic axons may synapse with postganglionic neu- Vertebral body rons in the paravertebral ganglion at the same level, ascend or descend up to several spinal levels and then synapse, or Spinal nerve pass through the paravertebral ganglia en route to a pre- vertebral ganglion. Postganglionic axons that are destined for somatic struc- Rib tures—such as sweat glands, pilomotor muscles, or blood Gray vessels of the skin and skeletal muscles—leave the paraver- ramus White ramus tebral ganglion in the gray ramus and rejoin the spinal nerve for distribution to the target tissues. Postganglionic Paravertebral sympathetic axons to the head, heart, and lungs originate in the cervical ganglion or upper thoracic paravertebral ganglia and make their way to the specific organs as identifiable, separate nerves (e.g., Peripheral sympathetic anatomy. The pre- FIGURE 6.3 the cardiac nerves), as small-caliber individual nerves that ganglionic axons course through the spinal nerve and white ramus to the paravertebral ganglion. Synapse may group together, or as perivascular plexuses of axons with the postganglionic neuron may occur at the same spinal that accompany arteries. level, or at levels above or below. Postganglionic axons rejoin the The superior cervical ganglion supplies sympathetic ax- spinal nerve through the gray ramus to innervate structures in the ons that innervate the structures of the head. These axons limbs or proceed to organs, such as the lungs or heart, in discrete travel superiorly in the perivascular plexus along the carotid nerves. Preganglionic axons may also pass to a prevertebral gan- arteries. Structures innervated include the radial muscle of glion without synapsing in a paravertebral ganglion. the iris, responsible for dilation of the pupil; Müller’s mus- cle, which assists in elevating the eyelid; the lacrimal gland; and the salivary glands. Lesions that interrupt this pathway THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM produce easily detectable clinical signs (see Clinical Focus Preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic division origi- Box 6.1). The middle and inferior cervical ganglia innervate nate in the intermediolateral horn of the thoracic (T1 to organs of the chest, including the trachea, esophagus, T12) and upper lumbar (L1 to L3) spinal cord. The pregan- heart, and lungs. glionic axons exit the spinal cord in the ventral nerve roots. Postsynaptic axons destined for the abdominal and pelvic Immediately after the ventral and dorsal roots merge to visceral organs arise from the prevertebral ganglia (see form the spinal nerve, the sympathetic axons leave the Fig. 6.4). The three major prevertebral ganglia, also called spinal nerve via the white ramus and enter the paraverte- collateral ganglia, overlie the celiac, superior mesenteric, bral sympathetic ganglia (Fig. 6.3). The paravertebral gan- and inferior mesenteric arteries at their origin from the aorta glia form an interconnected chain located on either side of and are named accordingly. The celiac ganglion provides the vertebral column. These ganglia extend above and be- sympathetic innervation to the stomach, liver, pancreas, low the thoracic and lumbar spinal levels, where pregan- gallbladder, small intestine, spleen, and kidneys. Pregan- glionic fibers emerge, to provide postganglionic sympa- glionic axons originate in the T5 to T12 spinal levels. The CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 6.1 Horner’s Syndrome mologist, described this pattern of eye and facial abnor- Lesions of the sympathetic pathway to the head produce malities in patients, and these are referred to as Horner’s abnormalities that are easily detectable on physical exam- syndrome. Etiologies for Horner’s syndrome include: ination. The deficits of function occur ipsilateral to the le- • Brainstem lesions, such as produced by strokes, which sion and include: interrupt the tracts that descend to the sympathetic neu- • Partial constriction of the pupil as a result of loss of sym- rons in the spinal cord pathetic pupillodilator action • Upper thoracic nerve root lesions, such as those pro- • Drooping of the eyelid, termed ptosis, as a result of loss of duced by excessive traction on the arm or from infiltra- sympathetic activation of Müller’s muscle of the eyelid tion of the nerve roots by cancer spreading from the lung • Dryness of the face as a result of the lack of sympathetic • Cervical paravertebral ganglia lesions from accidental or activation of the facial sweat glands. surgical trauma, or metastatic cancer A pattern of historical or physical examination findings • Arterial injury in the neck, from neck hyperextension, or that is consistent from patient to patient is often termed a direct trauma, which interrupt the postganglionic axons syndrome. Johann Horner, a 19th century Swiss ophthal- traveling in the carotid periarterial plexus.

112 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Sympathetic Division Parasympathetic Division Eye Ciliary Paravertebral ganglia ganglion A = Superior cervical ganglion Lacrimal gland B = Middle cervical ganglion C = Inferior cervical ganglion Pterygopalatine Submandibular and ganglion sublingual glands III Submandibular ganglion Midbrain Parotid gland VII Heart Otic IX ganglion Medulla X A Trachea B Lung Cervical To skin and musculoskeletal system splanchnic Gallbladder Thoracic C Greater Liver nerve 1 Stomach Lesser Small intestine splanchnic nerve 2 Adrenal gland Kidney 3 Lumbar Large intestine Sacral Bladder Prevertebral ganglia 1 = Celiac ganglion 2 = Superior mesenteric ganglion 3 = Inferior mesenteric ganglion Genitalia FIGURE 6.4 The organ-specific arrangement of the ons destined for the skin and musculoskeletal system are shown on ANS. Preganglionic axons are indicated by the left side of the spinal cord. Note the named paravertebral and solid lines, postganglionic axons by dashed lines. Sympathetic ax- prevertebral ganglia.

CHAPTER 6 The Autonomic Nervous System 113 superior mesenteric ganglion innervates the small and large Preganglionic intestines. Preganglionic axons originate primarily in T10 to sympathetic axons Adrenal cortex T12. The inferior mesenteric ganglion innervates the lower colon and rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs. Preganglionic axons originate in L1 to L3. Chromaffin Adrenal cell medulla The Sympathetic Division Can Produce Local or Widespread Responses Vesicles The sympathetic division exerts a continuous influence on the organs it innervates. This continuous level of control is called sympathetic tone, and it is accomplished by a per- Vein sistent, low rate of discharge of the sympathetic nerves. Epinephrine When the situation dictates, the rate of firing to a particular organ can be increased or decreased, such as an increased firing rate of the sympathetic neurons supplying the iris to produce pupillary dilation in dim light or a decreased firing rate and pupillary constriction during drowsiness. The number of postganglionic axons emerging from the Blood capillary paravertebral ganglia is greater than the number of pregan- glionic neurons that originate in the spinal cord. It is esti- FIGURE 6.5 Sympathetic innervation of the adrenal mated that postganglionic sympathetic neurons outnumber medulla. Preganglionic sympathetic axons ter- preganglionic neurons by 100:1 or more. This spread of in- minate on the chromaffin cells. When stimulated, the chromaffin fluence, termed divergence, is accomplished by collateral cells release epinephrine into the circulation. branching of the presynaptic sympathetic axons, which then make synaptic connections with postganglionic neu- cells that receive little or no direct sympathetic innerva- rons both above and below their original level of emer- tion, such as liver and adipose cells for mobilizing glucose gence from the spinal cord. Divergence enables the sympa- and fatty acids, and blood cells which participate in the thetic division to produce widespread responses of many clotting and immune responses. effectors when physiologically necessary. The Fight-or-Flight Response Is a Result The Adrenal Medulla Is a Mediator of Widespread Sympathetic Activation of Sympathetic Function This response is the classic example of the sympathetic In addition to divergence, the sympathetic division has a nervous system’s ability to produce widespread activation hormonal mechanism to activate target tissues endowed of its effectors; it is activated when an organism’s survival is with adrenergic receptors, including those innervated by in jeopardy and the animal may have to fight or flee. Some the sympathetic nerves. The hormone is the catecholamine components of the response result from the direct effects of epinephrine, which is secreted with much lesser amounts sympathetic activation, while the secretion of epinephrine of norepinephrine by the adrenal medulla during general- by the adrenal medulla also contributes. ized response to stress. Sympathetic stimulation of the heart and blood vessels The adrenal medulla, a neuroendocrine gland, forms the results in a rise in blood pressure because of increased car- inner core of the adrenal gland situated on top of each kid- diac output and increased total peripheral resistance. ney. Cells of the adrenal medulla are innervated by the There is also a redistribution of the blood flow so that the lesser splanchnic nerve, which contains preganglionic sym- muscles and heart receive more blood, while the splanch- pathetic axons originating in the lower thoracic spinal cord nic territory and the skin receive less. The need for an in- (see Fig. 6.4). These axons pass through the paravertebral creased exchange of blood gases is met by acceleration of ganglia and the celiac ganglion without synapsing and ter- the respiratory rate and dilation of the bronchiolar tree. minate on the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla The volume of salivary secretion is reduced but the relative (Fig. 6.5). The chromaffin cells are modified ganglion cells proportion of mucus increases, permitting lubrication of that synthesize both epinephrine and norepinephrine in a the mouth despite increased ventilation. The potential de- ratio of about 8:1 and store them in secretory vesicles. Un- mand for an enhanced supply of metabolic substrates, like like neurons, these cells possess neither axons nor dendrites glucose and fatty acids, is met by the actions of the sym- but function as neuroendocrine cells that release hormone pathetic nerves and circulating epinephrine on hepato- directly into the bloodstream in response to preganglionic cytes and adipose cells. Glycogenolysis mobilizes stored axon activation. liver glycogen, increasing plasma levels of glucose. Lipol- Circulating epinephrine mimics the actions of sympa- ysis in fat cells converts stored triglycerides to free fatty thetic nerve stimulation but with greater efficacy because acids that enter the bloodstream. epinephrine is usually more potent than norepinephrine in The skin plays an important role in maintaining body stimulating both
-adrenergic and -adrenergic receptors. temperature in the face of increased heat production from Epinephrine can also stimulate adrenergic receptors on contracting muscles. The sympathetic innervation of the

114 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY skin vasculature can adjust blood flow and heat exchange Cranial Nerve VII. The parasympathetic presynaptic ax- by vasodilation to dissipate heat or by vasoconstriction to ons of the facial nerve arise from the superior salivatory protect blood volume. The eccrine sweat glands are impor- nuclei in the rostral medulla. Presynaptic axons pass from tant structures that also can be activated to enhance heat the facial nerve into the greater superficial petrosal nerve loss. Sympathetic nerve stimulation of the sweat glands re- and synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion. The postsy- sults in the secretion of a watery fluid, and evaporation then naptic axons from that ganglion innervate the lacrimal dissipates body heat. Constriction of the skin vasculature, gland and the glands of the nasal and palatal mucosa. Other concurrent with sweat gland activation, produces the cold, facial nerve presynaptic axons travel via the chorda tym- clammy skin of a frightened individual. Hair-standing-on- pani and synapse in the submandibular ganglion. These end sensations result from activation of the piloerector postsynaptic axons stimulate the production of saliva by muscles associated with hair follicles. In humans, this action the submandibular and sublingual glands. Parasympathetic is likely a phylogenetic remnant from animals that use hair activation can also produce dilation of the vasculature erection for body temperature preservation or to enhance within the areas supplied by the facial nerve. the appearance of body size or ferocity. Cranial Nerve IX. The parasympathetic presynaptic ax- ons of the glossopharyngeal nerve arise from the inferior salivatory nuclei of the medulla. The axons follow a cir- THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM cuitous course through the lesser petrosal nerve to reach the otic ganglion, where they synapse. From the otic gan- The parasympathetic division is comprised of a cranial glion, the postsynaptic axons join the auriculotemporal portion, emanating from the brainstem, and a sacral por- branch of cranial nerve V and arrive at the parotid gland, tion, originating in the intermediate gray zone of the where they stimulate secretion of saliva. sacral spinal cord (see Fig. 6.4). In contrast to the wide- Sensory axons that are important for autonomic func- spread activation pattern of the sympathetic division, the tion are also conveyed in cranial nerve IX. The carotid bod- neurons of the parasympathetic division are activated in a ies sense the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide more localized fashion. There is also much less tendency in blood flowing in the carotid arteries and transmit that for divergence of the presynaptic influence to multiple chemosensory information to the medulla via glossopha- postsynaptic neurons—on average, one presynaptic ryngeal afferents. The carotid sinus, which is located in the parasympathetic neuron synapses with 15 to 20 postsy- proximal internal carotid artery, monitors blood pressure naptic neurons. An example of localized activation is seen and transmits this baroreceptor information to the tractus in the vagus nerve, where one portion of its outflow can solitarius in the medulla. be activated to slow the heart rate without altering the va- gal control to the stomach. Cranial Nerve X. The vagus nerve has an extensive auto- Ganglia in the parasympathetic division are located ei- nomic component, which arises from the nucleus am- biguus and the dorsal motor nuclei in the medulla. It has ther close to the organ innervated or embedded within its been estimated that vagal output comprises up to 75% of walls. The organs of the gastrointestinal system demonstrate total parasympathetic activity. Long preganglionic axons the latter pattern. Because of this arrangement, pregan- travel in the vagus trunks to ganglia in the heart and lungs glionic axons are much longer than postganglionic axons. and to the intrinsic plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract. Sympathetic postsynaptic axons also intermingle with the parasympathetic presynaptic axons in these plexuses and Brainstem Parasympathetic Neurons Innervate travel together to the target tissues. Structures in the Head, Chest, and Abdomen The right vagus nerve supplies axons to the sinoatrial Four of the twelve cranial nerves—numbers III, VII, IX, and node of the heart, and the left vagus nerve supplies the atri- X—contain parasympathetic axons. The nuclei of these oventricular node. Vagal activation slows the heart rate and nerves, which occupy areas of the tectum in the midbrain, reduces the force of contraction. The vagal efferents to the pons, and medulla, are the centers for the initiation and in- lung control smooth muscle that constricts bronchioles, tegration of autonomic reflexes for the organ systems they and also regulate the action of secretory cells. Vagal input innervate. Parasympathetic and sympathetic activities are to the esophagus and stomach regulates motility and influ- coordinated by these nuclei. ences secretory function in the stomach. Acetylcholine plus vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are the transmitters of the postsynaptic neurons. Cranial Nerve III. The oculomotor nerve originates from nuclei in the tectum of the midbrain, where synaptic connec- There is also vagal innervation to the kidneys, liver, tions with the axons of the optic nerves provide input for oc- spleen, and pancreas, but the role of these inputs is not yet fully established. ular reflexes. The parasympathetic neurons are located in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. The presynaptic axons travel in the superficial aspect of cranial nerve III to the ciliary gan- Sacral Spinal Cord Parasympathetic Neurons glion, located inside the orbit where the synapse occurs. The Innervate Structures in the Pelvis postganglionic axons enter the eyeball near the optic nerve and travel between the sclera and the choroid. These axons Preganglionic fibers of the sacral division originate in the supply the sphincter muscle of the iris; the ciliary muscle, intermediate gray matter of the sacral spinal cord, emerging which focuses the lens; and the choroidal blood vessels. from segments S2, S3, and S4 (see Fig. 6.4). These pregan- About 90% of the axons are destined for the ciliary muscle, glionic fibers synapse in ganglia in or near the pelvic or- while only about 3 to 4% innervate the iris sphincter. gans, including the lower portion of the gastrointestinal

CHAPTER 6 The Autonomic Nervous System 115 tract (the sigmoid colon, rectum, and internal anal sphinc- synapse with the effectors is also indicated. More detailed ter), the urinary bladder, and the reproductive organs. discussions of the effects of autonomic nerve activation are found in the chapters on the specific organ systems. SPECIFIC ORGAN RESPONSES TO AUTONOMIC ACTIVITY CONTROL OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM As noted earlier, most involuntary organs are dually inner- vated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, of- The autonomic nervous system utilizes a hierarchy of re- ten with opposing actions. A list of these organs and a sum- flexes to control the function of autonomic target organs. mary of their responses to sympathetic and parasympathetic These reflexes range from local, involving only a part of stimulation is given in Table 6.1. The type of receptor at the one neuron, to regional, requiring mediation by the spinal cord and associated autonomic ganglia, to the most com- plex, requiring action by the brainstem and cerebral cen- ters. In general, the higher the level of complexity, the Responses of Effectors TABLE 6.1 to Parasympathetic and more likely the reflex will require coordination of both Sympathetic Stimulation sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. Somatic mo- tor neurons and the endocrine system may also be involved. Effector Parasympathetic Sympathetic Eye Sensory Input Contributes to Autonomic Function Pupil Constriction Dilation (
1 ) Ciliary muscle Contraction Relaxation ( 2) The ANS is traditionally regarded as an efferent system, Müller’s muscle None Contraction (
1) and the sensory neurons innervating the involuntary organs Lacrimal gland Secretion None are not considered part of the ANS. Sensory input, how- Nasal glands Secretion Inhibition (
1) ever, is important for autonomic functioning. The sensory Salivary glands Secretion Amylase secretion () innervation to the visceral organs, blood vessels, and skin Skin forms the afferent limb of autonomic reflexes (Fig. 6.6). Sweat glands None Secretion (cholinergic muscarinic) Most of the sensory axons from ANS-innervated structures Piloerector None Contraction (
1) are unmyelinated C fibers. muscles Sensory information from these pathways may not reach Blood vessels the level of consciousness. Sensations that are perceived Skin None Constriction (
) may be vaguely localized or may be felt in a somatic struc- Skeletal muscle None Dilation ( 2 ), ture rather than the organ from which the afferent action Constriction (
) potentials originated. The perception of pain in the left arm Viscera None Constriction (
1) during a myocardial infarction is an example of pain being Heart referred from a visceral organ. Rate Decrease Increase ( 1,  2) Force Decrease Increase ( 1,  2) Lungs Local Axon Reflexes Are Paths for Bronchioles Constriction Dilation ( 2 ) Glands Secretion Decreased (
1), incr. Autonomic Activation ( 2) secretion A sensory neuron may have several terminal branches pe- Gastrointestinal tract ripherally that enlarge the receptive area and innervate Wall muscles Contraction Relaxation (
,  2) multiple receptors. As a sensory action potential which Sphincters Relaxation Contraction (
1) Glands Secretion Inhibition originated in one of the terminal branches propagates af- Liver None Glycogenolysis and ferently, or orthodromically, it may also enter some Gluconeogenesis other branches of that same axon and then conduct ef- (
1,  2) ferently, or antidromically, for short distances. The dis- Pancreas (insulin) None Decreased secretion tal ends of the sensory axons may release neurotransmit- (
2) ters in response to the antidromic action potentials. The Adrenal medulla None Secretion of process of action potential spread can result in a more epinephrine wide-ranging reaction than that produced by the initial (cholinergic stimulus. If the sensory neuron innervates blood vessels nicotinic) Urinary system or sweat glands, the response can produce reddening of Ureter Relaxation Contraction (
1) the skin as a result of vasodilation, local sweating as a re- Detrusor Contraction Relaxation ( 2 ) sult of sweat gland activation, or pain as a result of the ac- Sphincter Relaxation Contraction (
1 ) tion of the released neurotransmitter. This process is Reproductive system called a local axon reflex (see Fig. 6.6). It differs from the Uterus Variable Contraction (
1) usual reflex pathway in that a synapse with an efferent Genitalia Erection Ejaculation/vaginal neuron in the spinal cord or peripheral ganglion is not re- contraction (
) quired to produce a response. The neurotransmitter pro- Adipose cells None Lipolysis () ducing this local reflex is likely the same as that released

116 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY ANS reflex Local axon reflex Higher centers Skin Dorsal root Dorsal root Collateral Mechanoreceptors axon branch Chemoreceptors Nociceptor Nociceptors Dorsal horn Injury Intermediolateral horn Glutamate Preganglionic fiber Autonomic effectors: Blood Smooth muscle vessel Cardiac muscle Glands Ventral root Postganglionic fiber FIGURE 6.6 Sensory components of autonomic func- collateral branches of the same neuron. The antidromic action tion. Left, Sensory action potentials from potentials may provoke release of the same neurotransmitters, mechanical, chemical, and nociceptive receptors that propa- like substance P or glutamate, from the nerve endings as would gate to the spinal cord can trigger ANS reflexes. Right, Local be released at the synapse in the spinal cord. Local axon re- axon reflexes occur when an orthodromic action potential flexes may perpetuate pain, activate sweat glands, or cause va- from a sensory nerve ending propagates antidromically into somotor actions. at the synapse in the spinal cord—substance P or gluta- trointestinal tract during a generalized stress reaction (the mate for sensory neurons or ACh and NE at the target tis- fight-or-flight response). sues for autonomic neurons. Local axon reflexes in noci- The intrinsic plexuses of the gastrointestinal visceral ceptive nerve endings that become persistently activated wall are reflex integrative centers where input from presy- after local trauma can produce dramatic clinical manifes- naptic parasympathetic axons, postganglionic sympathetic tations (see Clinical Focus Box 6.2). axons, and the action of intrinsic neurons may all partici- pate in reflexes that influence motility and secretion. The intrinsic plexuses also participate in centrally mediated gas- The Autonomic Ganglia Can Modify Reflexes trointestinal reflexes (see Chapter 26). Although the paravertebral ganglia may serve merely as re- lay stations for synapse of preganglionic and postgan- The Spinal Cord Coordinates Many glionic sympathetic neurons, evidence suggests that synap- Autonomic Reflexes tic activity in these ganglia may modify efferent activity. Input from other preganglionic neurons provides the mod- Reflexes coordinated by centers in the lumbar and sacral ifying influence. Prevertebral ganglia also serve as integra- spinal cord include micturition (emptying the urinary blad- tive centers for reflexes in the gastrointestinal tract. der), defecation (emptying the rectum), and sexual re- Chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors located in the gut sponse (engorgement of erectile tissue, vaginal lubrication, produce afferent action potentials that pass to the spinal and ejaculation of semen). Sensory action potentials from cord and then to the celiac or mesenteric ganglia where receptors in the wall of the bladder or bowel report about changes in motility and secretion may be instituted during degrees of distenion. Sympathetic, parasympathetic, and digestion. The integrative actions of these ganglia are also somatic efferent actions require coordination to produce responsible for halting motility and secretion in the gas- many of these responses. CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 6.2 Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) painful areas if the condition goes untreated for many RSD is a clinical syndrome that includes spontaneous months. A full explanation of the pathogenetic mecha- pain, painful hypersensitivity to nonnoxious stimuli such nisms is still lacking. Local axon reflexes in traumatized as light touch or moving air, and evidence of ANS dys- nociceptive neurons and reflex activation of the sympa- function in the form of excessive coldness and sweating thetic nervous system are thought to be contributors. Re- of the involved body part. The foot, knee, hand, and fore- peated blockade of sympathetic neuron action by local arm are the more common sites of involvement. Local anesthetic injection into the paravertebral ganglia serving trauma, which may be minor in degree, and surgical pro- the involved body part, followed by mobilization of the cedures on joints or bones are common precipitating body part in a physical therapy program, are the main- events. The term dystrophy applies to atrophic changes stays of treatment. RSD is now termed Complex Regional that may occur in the skin, soft tissue, and bone in the Pain Syndrome Type I.

CHAPTER 6 The Autonomic Nervous System 117 Higher centers provide facilitating or inhibiting influ- and medial prefrontal areas of the cerebral cortex are the ences to the spinal cord reflex centers. The ability to volun- respective sensory and motor areas involved with the reg- tarily suppress the urge to urinate when the sensation of ulation of autonomic function. The amygdala in the tem- bladder fullness is perceived is an example of higher CNS poral lobe coordinates the autonomic components of centers inhibiting a spinal cord reflex. Following injury to the emotional responses. cervical or upper thoracic spinal cord, micturition may occur The areas of the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, involuntarily or be provoked at much lower than normal brainstem, and central path to the spinal cord that are in- bladder volumes. Episodes of hypertension and piloerection volved with the control of autonomic functions are collec- in spinal cord injury patients are another example of unin- tively termed the central autonomic network (see Fig. 6.7). hibited autonomic reflexes arising from the spinal cord. The Brainstem Is a Major Control Center for Autonomic Reflexes Insular cortex Areas within all three levels of the brainstem are important Cerebral hemisphere in autonomic function (Fig. 6.7). The periaqueductal gray and hypothalamus matter of the midbrain coordinates autonomic responses to Hypothalamus painful stimuli and can modulate the activity of the sensory tracts that transmit pain. The parabrachial nucleus of the Amygdala pons participates in respiratory and cardiovascular control. The locus ceruleus may have a role in micturition reflexes. The medulla contains several key autonomic areas. The nu- Periaqueductal cleus of the tractus solitarius receives afferent input from Midbrain gray matter cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal receptors. The ventrolateral medullary area is the major center for control of the preganglionic sympathetic neurons in the spinal cord. Vagal efferents arise from this area also. Neurons that control specific functions like blood pressure and heart rate Parabrachial region are clustered within this general region. The descending Pons paths for regulation of the preganglionic sympathetic and spinal parasympathetic neurons are not yet fully delineated. Nucleus of the The reticulospinal tracts may carry some of these axons. tractus solitarius Autonomic reflexes coordinated in the brainstem include Dorsal motor nucleus of X pupillary reaction to light, lens accommodation, salivation, Medulla Nucleus ambiguus tearing, swallowing, vomiting, blood pressure regulation, Ventrolateral medulla and cardiac rhythm modulation. The Hypothalamus and Cerebral Hemispheres Provide the Highest Levels of Autonomic Control Spinal cord Intermediolateral The periventricular, medial, and lateral areas of the hy- horn pothalamus in the diencephalon control circadian rhythms, and homeostatic functions such as thermoregu- The central autonomic network. Note the lation, appetite, and thirst. Because of the major role of FIGURE 6.7 cerebral, hypothalamic, brainstem, and spinal the hypothalamus in autonomic function, it has at times cord components. A hierarchy of reflexes initiated from these dif- been labeled the “head ganglion of the ANS.” The insular ferent levels regulates autonomic function. REVIEW QUESTIONS DIRECTIONS: Each of the numbered (A) Presynaptic axons that travel in the 2. Which effects would destruction of the items or incomplete statements in this oculomotor nerve lumbar paravertebral ganglia by a section is followed by answers or by (B) Postsynaptic axons that travel in gunshot cause in the ipsilateral leg? completions of the statement. Select the the facial nerve (A) It would be cold and clammy ONE lettered answer or completion that is (C) Acetylcholine delivered by the (B) It would be weak BEST in each case. circulatory system (C) There would be decreased (D) Postsynaptic axons arising from sensation for painful stimuli 1. Impaired dilation of the pupil when paravertebral ganglia (D) It would be warm and dry entering a dark room is due to (E) Postsynaptic axons arising from (E) There would be no detectable deficient functioning of prevertebral ganglia change (continued)

118 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 3. Which of these is not a (E) There is no parasympathetic (B) Preganglionic to postganglionic neurotransmitter in the autonomic innervation to the sweat glands parasympathetic nervous system? 6. Which statement correctly describes (C) Postganglionic axon-target tissue (A) Acetylcholine the relationship between preganglionic nicotinic (B) Norepinephrine and postganglionic sympathetic axons? (D) Postganglionic axon-target tissue (C) Epinephrine (A) The number of presynaptic axons muscarinic (D) Muscarine is much greater than the number of (E) Postganglionic-target tissue curare- (E) Neuropeptide Y postsynaptic axons sensitive 4. With which other entity do the (B) The number of postsynaptic axons 9. A concurrent increase in receptors of the parasympathetic is much greater than the number of parasympathetic and decrease in postganglionic target tissue synapse presynaptic axons sympathetic outflow to the heart share general structural similarity? (C) The number of presynaptic and would be coordinated at which level of (A) The receptor of the sympathetic postsynaptic axons is equal the nervous system? postganglionic target tissue synapse (D) Convergence of presynaptic (A) Insular cortex (B) The receptor of the sympathetic influence onto the postsynaptic (B) Axon reflexes in cardiac sensory preganglionic synapse neurons is the rule nerves (C) The receptor of the (E) Presynaptic and postsynaptic (C) Periaqueductal gray matter of the parasympathetic preganglionic synapse neurons are joined by gap junctions mesencephalon (D) The voltage-gated calcium channel 7. A patient who is being treated with a (D) Gray matter of the upper thoracic (E) The receptor at the neuromuscular medication complains of the adverse spinal cord junction effect of difficulty adjusting his eyes to (E) Reticular formation of the medulla 5. By which route are the sweat glands bright lights. How is the medication supplied with parasympathetic modifying autonomic function? SUGGESTED READING innervation? (A) Enhancing cholinergic activity Low PA. Clinical Autonomic Disorders. (A) Vagal preganglionics to (B) Enhancing adrenergic activity 2nd Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott- paravertebral ganglion to cutaneous (C) Mimicking the action of Raven, 1997. nerve epinephrine Parent A. Carpenter’s Human Neu- (B) Vagal preganglionics to (D) Inhibiting cholinergic activity roanatomy. 9th Ed. Media, PA: prevertebral ganglion to cutaneous (E) Inhibiting adrenergic activity Williams & Wilkins, 1996. nerve 8. The activation of which type of Siegel GJ, Agranoff BW, Albers RW, (C) Spinal preganglionics to para- synapse could alter cyclic AMP levels Fisher SK, Uhler MD. Basic vertebral ganglion to cutaneous nerve in the postsynaptic cell? Neurochemistry. 6th Ed. Phila- (D) Spinal gray ramus to cutaneous (A) Preganglionic to postganglionic delphia: Lippincott Williams & nerve sympathetic Wilkins, 1999.

CHAPTER Integrative Functions of 7 the Nervous System 7 Cynthia J. Forehand, Ph.D. CHAPTER OUTLINE ■ THE HYPOTHALAMUS ■ THE FOREBRAIN ■ THE RETICULAR FORMATION KEY CONCEPTS 1. Homeostatic functions are regulated by the hypothalamus. 6. Limbic structures play a role in the brain’s reward system. 2. Homeostatically regulated functions fluctuate in a daily 7. The limbic system regulates aggression and sexual activ- pattern. ity. 3. The reticular formation serves as the activating system of 8. Affective disorders and schizophrenia are disruptions in the forebrain. limbic function. 4. Sleep occurs in stages that exhibit different EEG patterns. 9. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus are involved in 5. The limbic system receives distributed monoaminergic and learning and memory. cholinergic innervation. 10. Language is a lateralized function of association cortex. he central nervous system (CNS) receives sensory via signals in the blood. In most of the brain, capillary en- Tstimuli from the body and the outside world and dothelial cells are connected by tight junctions that prevent processes that information in neural networks or centers of substances in the blood from entering the brain. These integration to mediate an appropriate response or learned tight junctions are part of the blood-brain barrier. The experience. Centers of integration are hierarchical in na- blood-brain barrier is missing in several small regions of the ture. In a caudal-to-rostral sequence, the more rostral it is brain called circumventricular organs, which are adjacent placed, the greater the complexity of the neural network. to the fluid-filled ventricular spaces. Several circumventric- This chapter considers functions integrated within the di- ular organs are in the hypothalamus. Capillaries in these re- encephalon and telencephalon, where emotionally moti- gions, like those in other organs, are fenestrated (“leaky”), vated behavior, appetitive drive, consciousness, sleep, lan- allowing the cells of hypothalamic nuclei to sample freely, guage, memory, and cognition are coordinated. from moment to moment, the composition of the blood. Neurons in the hypothalamus then initiate the mechanisms necessary to maintain levels of constituents at a given set THE HYPOTHALAMUS point, fixed within narrow limits by a specific hypothalamic The hypothalamus coordinates autonomic reflexes of the nucleus. Homeostatic functions regulated by the hypothal- brainstem and spinal cord. It also activates the endocrine amus include body temperature, water and electrolyte bal- and somatic motor systems when responding to signals ance, and blood glucose levels. generated either within the hypothalamus or brainstem or The hypothalamus is the major regulator of endocrine in higher centers, such as the limbic system, where the function because of its connections with the pituitary emotions and motivations are generated. The hypothala- gland, the master gland of the endocrine system. These mus can accomplish this by virtue of its unique location at connections include direct neuronal innervation of the pos- the interface between the limbic system and the endocrine terior pituitary lobe by specific hypothalamic nuclei and a and autonomic nervous systems. direct hormonal connection between specific hypothala- As a major regulator of homeostasis, the hypothalamus mic nuclei and the anterior pituitary. Hypothalamic hor- receives input about the internal environment of the body mones, designated as releasing factors, reach the anterior 119

120 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY pituitary lobe by a portal system of capillaries. Releasing The hypothalamus receives afferent inputs from all lev- factors then regulate the secretion of most hormones of the els of the CNS. It makes reciprocal connections with the endocrine system. limbic system via fiber tracts in the fornix. The hypothala- mus also makes extensive reciprocal connections with the brainstem, including the reticular formation and the The Hypothalamus Is Composed of medullary centers of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gas- Anatomically Distinct Nuclei trointestinal regulation. Many of these connections travel within the medial forebrain bundle, which also connects The diencephalon includes the hypothalamus, thalamus, and subthalamus (Fig. 7.1). The rostral border of the hypo- the brainstem with the cerebral cortex. thalamus is at the optic chiasm, and its caudal border is at Several major connections of the hypothalamus are one- the mammillary body. way rather than reciprocal. One of these, the mammil- On the basal surface of the hypothalamus, exiting the lothalamic tract, carries information from the mammillary median eminence, the pituitary stalk contains the hypo- bodies of the hypothalamus to the anterior nucleus of the thalamo-hypophyseal portal blood vessels (see Fig. 32.3). thalamus, from where information is relayed to limbic re- Neurons within specific nuclei of the hypothalamus secrete gions of the cerebral cortex. A second one-way pathway releasing factors into these portal vessels. The releasing fac- carries visual information from the retina to the suprachi- tors are then transported to the anterior pituitary, where asmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus via the optic nerve. they stimulate secretion of hormones that are trophic to Through this retinal input, the light cues of the day/night other glands of the endocrine system (see Chapter 32). cycle entrain or synchronize the “biological clock” of the The pituitary stalk also contains the axons of magnocel- brain to the external clock. A third one-way connection is lular neurons whose cell bodies are located in the supraop- the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract from the supraoptic tic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei. These axons and paraventricular nuclei to the posterior pituitary gland. form the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract within the pitu- The hypothalamus also projects directly to the spinal cord itary stalk and represent the efferent limbs of neuroen- to activate sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic docrine reflexes that lead to the secretion of the hormones neurons (see Chapter 6). vasopressin and oxytocin into the blood. These hormones are made in the magnocellular neurons and released by Hypothalamic Nuclei Are Centers of their axon terminals next to the blood vessels within the Physiological Regulation posterior pituitary. The nuclei of the hypothalamus have ill-defined bound- The nuclei of the hypothalamus contain groups of neurons aries, despite their customary depiction (Fig. 7.2). Many are that regulate several important physiological functions: named according to their anatomic location (e.g., anterior 1) Water and electrolyte balance in magnocellular cells of hypothalamic nuclei, ventromedial nucleus) or for the the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (see Chapter 32) structures they lie next to (e.g., the periventricular nucleus 2) Secretion of hypothalamic releasing factors in the surrounds the third ventricle, the suprachiasmatic nucleus arcuate and periventricular nuclei and in parvocellular cells lies above the optic chiasm). of the paraventricular nucleus (see Chapters 32 and 33) 3) Temperature regulation in the anterior and posterior hypothalamic nuclei (see Chapter 29) 4) Activation of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medullary hormone secretion in the dorsal and pos- Cerebral cortex Corpus callosum terior hypothalamus (see Chapter 34) Subthalamus 5) Thirst and drinking regulation in the lateral hypo- Hypothalamus Thalamus thalamus (see Chapter 24) 6) Hunger, satiety, and the regulation of eating behav- Midbrain ior in the arcuate nucleus, ventromedial nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic area 7) Regulation of sexual behavior in the anterior and preoptic areas 8) Regulation of circadian rhythms in the suprachias- matic nucleus Optic chiasm Pituitary gland Cerebellum Mammillary body The Hypothalamus Regulates Eating Behavior Pons Medulla Spinal cord Classically, the hypothalamus has been considered a oblongata grouping of regulatory centers governing homeostasis. With respect to eating, the ventromedial nucleus of the hy- A midsagittal section through the human FIGURE 7.1 pothalamus serves as a satiety center and the lateral hypo- brain, showing the most prominent struc- tures of the brainstem (gray), diencephalon (red), and fore- thalamic area serves as a feeding center. Together, these ar- brain (white). The cerebellum is also shown. (Modified from eas coordinate the processes that govern eating behavior Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM. Principles of Neural Science. and the subjective perception of satiety. These hypothala- 3rd Ed. New York: Elsevier, 1991.) mic areas also influence the secretion of hormones, partic-

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 121 Dorsal hypothalamic area Posterior hypothalamic nucleus Paraventricular nucleus Dorsomedial nucleus Anterior hypothalamic area Ventromedial nucleus Premammillary nucleus Preoptic area Medial mammillary nucleus Supraoptic nucleus Lateral mammillary nucleus Suprachiasmatic nucleus Mammillary body Arcuate nucleus Optic chiasm Median eminence Third ventricle Superior hypophyseal artery Hypothalamo- hypophyseal tract Portal hypophyseal vessel Posterior lobe Anterior lobe Pituitary gland FIGURE 7.2 The hypothalamus and its nuclei. The con- Review of Medical Physiology. 16th Ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton nections between the hypothalamus and the pi- & Lange, 1993.) tuitary gland are also shown. (Modified from Ganong WF. ularly from the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreatic In addition to long-term regulation of body weight, the islet cells, in response to changing metabolic demands. hypothalamus also regulates eating behavior more acutely. Lesions in the ventromedial nucleus in experimental an- Factors that limit the amount of food ingested during a sin- imals lead to morbid obesity as a result of unrestricted eat- gle feeding episode originate in the gastrointestinal tract ing (hyperphagia). Conversely, electrical stimulation of and influence the hypothalamic regulatory centers. These this area results in the cessation of eating (hypophagia). include sensory signals carried by the vagus nerve that sig- Destructive lesions in the lateral hypothalamic area lead to nify stomach filling and chemical signals giving rise to the hypophagia, even in the face of starvation; electrical stim- sensation of satiety, including absorbed nutrients (glucose, ulation of this area initiates feeding activity, even when the certain amino acids, and fatty acids) and gastrointestinal animal has already eaten. hormones, especially cholecystokinin. The regulation of eating behavior is part of a complex pathway that regulates food intake, energy expenditure, The Hypothalamus Controls the and reproductive function in the face of changes in nutri- tional state. In general, the hypothalamus regulates caloric Gonads and Sexual Activity intake, utilization, and storage in a manner that tends to The anterior and preoptic hypothalamic areas are sites for maintain the body weight in adulthood. The presumptive regulating gonadotropic hormone secretion and sexual be- set point around which it attempts to stabilize body weight, havior. Neurons in the preoptic area secrete gonadotropin- however, is poorly defined or maintained, as it changes releasing hormone (GnRH), beginning at puberty, in re- readily with changes in physical activity, composition of sponse to signals that are not understood. These neurons the diet, emotional states, stress, pregnancy, and so on. contain receptors for gonadal steroid hormones, testos- A key player in the regulation of body weight is the hor- terone and/or estradiol, which regulate GnRH secretion in mone leptin, which is released by white fat cells (adipocytes). either a cyclic (female) or a continual (male) pattern fol- As fat stores increase, plasma leptin levels increase; con- lowing the onset of puberty. versely, as fat stores are depleted, leptin levels decrease. Cells At a critical period in fetal development, circulating in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus appear to be the testosterone secreted by the testes of a male fetus changes sensors for leptin levels. Physiological responses to low leptin the characteristics of cells in the preoptic area that are des- levels (starvation) are initiated by the hypothalamus to in- tined later in life to secrete GnRH. These cells, which crease food intake, decrease energy expenditure, decrease re- would secrete GnRH cyclically at puberty, had they not productive function, decrease body temperature, and increase been exposed to androgens prenatally, are transformed into parasympathetic activity. Physiological responses to high cells that secrete GnRH continually at a homeostatically reg- leptin levels (obesity) are initiated by the hypothalamus to ulated level. As a result, males exhibit a steady-state secre- decrease food intake, increase energy expenditure, and in- tion rate for gonadotropic hormones and, consequently, for crease sympathetic activity. Hypothalamic pathways involv- testosterone (see Chapter 37). ing neuropeptide Y are important for the starvation response, In the absence of androgens in fetal blood during devel- while pathways involving the melanocyte-stimulating hor- opment, the preoptic area remains unchanged, so that at mone are important for the obesity response. puberty the GnRH-secreting cells begin to secrete in a

122 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY cyclic pattern. This pattern is reinforced and synchronized Sleep Awake Sleep Awake Sleep throughout female reproductive life by the cyclic feedback of ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone, on secre- tion of GnRH by the hypothalamus during the menstrual 80 cycle (see Chapter 38). Alertness Steroid levels during prenatal and postnatal develop- 40 ment are known to mediate differentiation of sexually di- morphic regions of the brain of most vertebrate species. 0 Sexually dimorphic brain anatomy, behavior, and suscepti- 100.4 bility to neurological and psychiatric illness are evident in humans; however, with the exception of the GnRH-secret- Temperature ( ° F) 98.6 ing cells, it has been difficult to definitively show a steroid dependency for sexually dimorphic differentiation in the human brain. 96.8 The Hypothalamus Contains the 15 “Biological Clock” Growth hormone (ng/mL) 10 Many physiological functions, including body temperature 5 and sleep/wake cycles, vary throughout the day in a pattern 0 that repeats itself daily. Others, such as the female men- strual cycle, repeat themselves approximately every 28 15 days. Still others, such as reproductive function in seasonal Cortisol (µg/100mL) 10 breeders, repeat annually. The hypothalamus is thought to play a major role in regulating all of these biological 5 rhythms. Furthermore, these rhythms appear to be endoge- 0 nous (within the body) because they persist even in the ab- 6121824612 18 24 sence of time cues, such as day/night cycles for light and Time of day (hours) dark periods, lunar cycles for monthly rhythms, or changes Circadian rhythms in some homeostatically in temperature and day length for seasonal change. Ac- FIGURE 7.3 regulated functions during two 24-hour pe- cordingly, most organisms, including humans, are said to riods. Alertness is measured on an arbitrary scale between sleep possess an endogenous timekeeper, a so-called biological and most alert. (Modified from Coleman RM. Wide Awake at clock that times the body’s regulated functions. 3:00 AM. New York: WH Freeman, 1986.) Most homeostatically regulated functions exhibit peaks and valleys of activity that recur approximately daily. These are called circadian rhythms or diurnal rhythms. The circadian rhythms of the body are driven by the suprachi- asmatic nucleus (SCN), a center in the hypothalamus that mone increase greatly during sleep, in keeping with this serves as the brain’s biological clock. The SCN, which in- hormone’s metabolic role as a glucose-sparing agent during fluences many hypothalamic nuclei via its efferent connec- the nocturnal fast. Cortisol, on the other hand, has its high- tions, has the properties of an oscillator whose spontaneous est daily plasma level prior to arising in the morning. The firing patterns change dramatically during a day/night cy- mechanism by which the SCN can regulate diverse func- cle. This diurnal cycle of activity is maintained in vitro and tions is related to its control of the production of melatonin is an internal property of SCN cells. The molecular basis of by the pineal gland. Melatonin levels increase with de- the cellular rhythm is a series of transcriptional/transla- creasing light as night ensues. tional feedback loops. The genes involved in these loops Other homeostatically regulated functions exhibit diur- are apparently conserved from prokaryotes to humans. An nal patterns as well; when they are all in synchrony, they important pathway influencing the SCN is the afferent function harmoniously and impart a feeling of well-being. retinohypothalamic tract of the optic nerve, which origi- When there is a disruption in rhythmic pattern, such as by nates in the retina and enters the brain through the optic sleep deprivation or when passing too rapidly through sev- chiasm and terminates in the SCN. This pathway is the eral time zones, the period required for reentrainment of principal means by which light signals from the outside the SCN to the new day/night pattern is characterized by a world transmit the day/night rhythm to the brain’s internal feeling of malaise and physiological distress. This is com- clock, thereby entraining the endogenous oscillator to the monly experienced as jet lag in travelers crossing several external clock. time zones or by workers changing from day shift to night Figure 7.3 illustrates some of the circadian rhythms of shift or from night shift to day shift. In such cases, the hy- the body. One of the most vivid is alertness, which peaks in pothalamus requires time to “reset its clock” before the reg- the afternoon and is lowest in the hours preceding and fol- ular rhythms are restored and a feeling of well-being en- lowing sleep. Another, body temperature, ranges approxi- sues. The SCN uses the new pattern of light/darkness, as mately 1
C (about 2
F) throughout the day, with the low perceived in the retina, to entrain its firing rate to a pattern point occurring during sleep. Plasma levels of growth hor- consistent with the external world. Resetting the clock may

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 123 be facilitated by the judicious use of exogenous melatonin and by altering exposure to light. THE RETICULAR FORMATION The brainstem contains anatomic groupings of cell bodies clearly identified as the nuclei of cranial sensory and motor nerves or as relay cells of ascending sensory or descending motor systems. The remaining cell groups of the brainstem, located in the central core, constitute a diffuse-appearing system of neurons with widely branching axons, known as the reticular formation. Neurons of the Reticular Formation Exert Widespread Modulatory Influence in the CNS As neurochemistry and cytochemical localization tech- niques improve, it is becoming increasingly clear that the reticular formation is not a diffuse, undefined system; it contains highly organized clusters of transmitter-specific cell groups that influence functions in specific areas of the CNS. For example, the nuclei of monoaminergic neuronal FIGURE 7.4 The brainstem reticular formation and retic- systems are located in well-defined cell groups throughout ular activating system. Ascending sensory the reticular formation. tracts send axon collateral fibers to the reticular formation. These give rise to fibers synapsing in the intralaminar nuclei of the thala- A unique characteristic of neurons of the reticular for- mus. From there, these nonspecific thalamic projections influence mation is their widespread system of axon collaterals, widespread areas of the cerebral cortex and limbic system. which make extensive synaptic contacts and, in some cases, travel over long distances in the CNS. A striking example is the demonstration, using intracellular labeling of individual cells and their processes, that one axon branch descends all An Electroencephalogram Records the way into the spinal cord, while the collateral branch Electrical Activity of the Brain’s Surface projects rostrally all the way to the forebrain, making myr- The influence of the ascending reticular activating system iad synaptic contacts along both axonal pathways. on the brain’s activity can be monitored via electroen- cephalography. The electroencephalograph is a sensitive recording device for picking up the electrical activity of the The Ascending Reticular Activating brain’s surface through electrodes placed on designated sites System Mediates Consciousness and Arousal on the scalp. This noninvasive tool measures simultane- Sensory neurons bring peripheral sensory information to the ously, via multiple leads, the electrical activity of the major CNS via specific pathways that ascend and synapse with spe- areas of the cerebral cortex. It is also the best diagnostic tool cific nuclei of the thalamus, which, in turn, innervate primary available for detecting abnormalities in electrical activity, sensory areas of the cerebral cortex. These pathways involve such as in epilepsy, and for diagnosing sleep disorders. three to four synapses, starting from a receptor that responds The detected electrical activity reflects the extracellular to a specific sensory modality—such as touch, hearing, or vi- recording of the myriad postsynaptic potentials in cortical sion. Each modality has, in addition, a nonspecific form of neurons underlying the electrode. The summated electrical sensory transmission, in that axons of the ascending fibers potentials recorded from moment to moment in each lead send collateral branches to cells of the reticular formation are influenced greatly by the input of sensory information (Fig. 7.4). The latter, in turn, send their axons to the in- from the thalamus via specific and nonspecific projections tralaminar nuclei of thalamus, which innervate wide areas of to the cortical cells, as well as inputs that course laterally the cerebral cortex and limbic system. In the cerebral cortex from other regions of the cortex. and limbic system, the influence of the nonspecific projec- tions from the reticular formation is arousal of the organism. EEG Waves. The waves recorded on an electroen- This series of connections from the reticular formation cephalogram (EEG) are described in terms of frequency, through the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus and on to the which usually ranges from less than 1 to about 30 Hz, and forebrain is termed the ascending reticular activating system. amplitude or height of the wave, which usually ranges from The reticular formation also houses the neuronal sys- 20 to 100 V. Since the waves are a summation of activity tems that regulate sleep/wake cycles and consciousness. So in a complex network of neuronal processes, they are highly important is the ascending reticular activating system to variable. However, during various states of consciousness, the state of arousal that a malfunction in the reticular for- EEG waves have certain characteristic patterns. At the high- mation, particularly the rostral portion, can lead to a loss of est state of alertness, when sensory input is greatest, the consciousness and coma. waves are of high frequency and low amplitude, as many

124 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Alpha (8–13 Hz) EEG wave patterns are classified according to their fre- quency (Fig. 7.5). Alpha waves, a rhythm ranging from 8 to 13 Hz, are observed when the person is awake but relaxed Beta (13–30 Hz) with the eyes closed. When the eyes are open, the added vi- sual input to the cortex imparts a faster rhythm to the EEG, ranging from 13 to 30 Hz and designated beta waves. The Theta (4–7 Hz) slowest waves recorded occur during sleep: theta waves at 4 to 7 Hz and delta waves at 0.5 to 4 Hz, in deepest sleep. Abnormal wave patterns are seen in epilepsy, a neuro- logical disorder of the brain characterized by spontaneous Delta (0.5–4 Hz) discharges of electrical activity, resulting in abnormalities ranging from momentary lapses of attention, to seizures of varying severity, to loss of consciousness if both brain hemispheres participate in the electrical abnormality. The characteristic waveform signifying seizure activity is the Seizure appearance of spikes or sharp peaks, as abnormally large spike numbers of units fire simultaneously. Examples of spike ac- tivity occurring singly and in a spike-and-wave pattern are shown in Figure 7.5. Sleep and the EEG. Sleep is regulated by the reticular Spike-and- formation. The ascending reticular activating system is pe- wave riodically shut down by influences from other regions of the reticular formation. The EEG recorded during sleep re-  100 µV veals a persistently changing pattern of wave amplitudes 1 sec and frequencies, indicating that the brain remains continu-  0 ally active even in the deepest stages of sleep. The EEG pat- Patterns of brain waves recorded on an tern recorded during sleep varies in a cyclic fashion that re- FIGURE 7.5 EEG. Wave patterns are designated alpha, peats approximately every 90 minutes, starting from the beta, theta, or delta waves, based on frequency and relative ampli- time of falling asleep to awakening 7 to 8 hours later (Fig. tude. In epilepsy, abnormal spikes and large summated waves ap- 7.6). These cycles are associated with two different forms pear as many neurons are activated simultaneously. of sleep, which follow each other sequentially: 1. Slow-wave sleep: four stages of progressively deep- ening sleep (i.e., it becomes harder to wake the subject) units discharge asynchronously. At the opposite end of the 2. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep: back-and-forth alertness scale, when sensory input is at its lowest, in deep movements of the eyes under closed lids, accompanied by sleep, a synchronized EEG has the characteristics of low fre- autonomic excitation quency and high amplitude. An absence of EEG activity is EEG recordings of sleeping subjects in laboratory set- the legal criterion for death in the United States. tings reveal that the brain’s electrical activity varies as the FIGURE 7.6 The brain wave patterns during a normal from Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM. Principles of Neural sleep cycle. (See text for details.) (Modified Science. 3rd Ed. New York: Elsevier, 1991.)

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 125 subject passes through cycles of slow-wave sleep, then Left hemisphere Right hemisphere REM sleep, on through the night. Corpus callosum A normal sleep cycle begins with slow-wave sleep, four Frontal lobe stages of increasingly deep sleep during which the EEG be- Lateral comes progressively slower in frequency and higher in am- ventricle plitude. Stage 4 is reached at the end of about an hour, Cerebral Basal when delta waves are observed (see Fig. 7.6). The subject cortex ganglia then passes through the same stages in reverse order, ap- proaching stage 1 by about 90 minutes, when a REM period begins, followed by a new cycle of slow-wave sleep. Slow- Sylvian wave sleep is characterized by decreased heart rate and fissure blood pressure, slow and regular breathing, and relaxed muscle tone. Stages 3 and 4 occur only in the first few sleep Anterior cycles of the night. In contrast, REM periods increase in du- Temporal commissure ration with each successive cycle, so that the last few cycles lobe consist of approximately equal periods of REM sleep and The cerebral hemispheres and some deep stage 2 slow-wave sleep. FIGURE 7.7 structures in a coronal section through the REM sleep is also known as paradoxical sleep, because rostral forebrain. The corpus callosum is the major commissure of the seeming contradictions in its characteristics. First, that interconnects the right and left hemispheres. The anterior the EEG exhibits unsynchronized, high-frequency, low- commissure connects rostral components of the right and left amplitude waves (i.e., a beta rhythm), which is more typi- temporal lobes. The cortex is an outer rim of gray matter (neu- cal of the awake state than sleep, yet the subject is as diffi- ronal cell bodies and dendrites); deep to the cortex is white mat- cult to arouse as when in stage 4 slow-wave sleep. Second, ter (axonal projections) and then subcortical gray matter. the autonomic nervous system is in a state of excitation; blood pressure and heart rate are increased and breathing is irregular. In males, autonomic excitation in REM sleep in- columns perpendicular to the surface. The axons of cortical cludes penile erection. This reflex is used in diagnosing im- neurons give rise to descending fiber tracts and intrahemi- potence, to determine whether erectile failure is based on a spheric and interhemispheric fiber tracts, which, together neurological or a vascular defect (in which case, erection with ascending axons coursing toward the cortex, make up does not accompany REM sleep). the prominent white matter underlying the outer cortical When subjects are awakened during a REM period, they gray matter. A deep sagittal fissure divides the cortex into a usually report dreaming. Accordingly, it is customary to con- right and left hemisphere, each of which receives sensory sider REM sleep as dream sleep. Another curious characteris- input from and sends its motor output to the opposite side tic of REM sleep is that most voluntary muscles are tem- of the body. A set of commissures containing axonal fibers porarily paralyzed. Two exceptions, in addition to the interconnects the two hemispheres, so that processed neu- muscles of respiration, include the extraocular muscles, ral information from one side of the forebrain is transmitted which contract rhythmically to produce the rapid eye move- to the opposite hemisphere. The largest of these commis- ments, and the muscles of the middle ear, which protect the sures is the corpus callosum, which interconnects the major inner ear (see Chapter 4). Muscle paralysis is caused by an ac- portion of the hemispheric regions (Fig. 7.7). tive inhibition of motor neurons mediated by a group of neu- Among the subcortical structures located in the fore- rons located close to the locus ceruleus in the brainstem. brain are the components of the limbic system, which reg- Many of us have experienced this muscle paralysis on wak- ulates emotional response, and the basal ganglia (caudate, ing from a bad dream, feeling momentarily incapable of run- putamen, and globus pallidus), which are essential for co- ning from danger. In certain sleep disorders in which skele- ordinating motor activity (see Chapter 5). tal muscle contraction is not temporarily paralyzed in REM sleep, subjects act out dream sequences with disturbing re- sults, with no conscious awareness of this happening. The Cerebral Cortex Is Functionally Sleep in humans varies with developmental stage. New- Compartmentalized borns sleep approximately 16 hours per day, of which In the human brain, the surface of the cerebral cortex is highly about 50% is spent in REM sleep. Normal adults sleep 7 to convoluted, with gyri (singular, gyrus) and sulci (singular, sul- 8 hours per day, of which about 25% is spent in REM sleep. cus), which are akin to hills and valleys, respectively. Deep The percentage of REM sleep declines further with age, to- sulci are also called fissures. Two deep fissures form promi- gether with a loss of the ability to achieve stages 3 and 4 of nent landmarks on the surface of the cortex; the central sul- slow-wave sleep. cus divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, and the sylvian fissure divides the parietal lobe from the temporal lobe (Fig. 7.8). The occipital lobe has less prominent sulci THE FOREBRAIN separating it from the parietal and temporal lobes. The forebrain contains the cerebral cortex and the subcor- Topographically, the cerebral cortex is divided into ar- tical structures rostral to the diencephalon. The cortex, a eas of specialized functions, including the primary sensory few-millimeters-thick outer shell of the cerebrum, has a rich, areas for vision (occipital cortex), hearing (temporal cor- multilayered array of neurons and their processes forming tex), somatic sensation (postcentral gyrus), and primary

126 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Primary somatic emotional stimuli are coordinated. Understanding its func- Primary motor cortex sensory cortex tions is particularly challenging because it is a complex sys- tem of numerous and disparate elements, most of which Parietal-temporal- Central sulcus have not been fully characterized. A compelling reason for occipital association Premotor cortex studying the limbic system is that the major psychiatric dis- cortex Parietal lobe orders—including bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and dementia—involve malfunctions in the limbic system. Frontal Occipital lobe lobe Anatomy of the Limbic System. The limbic system com- Temporal prises specific areas of the cortex and subcortical structures lobe interconnected via circuitous pathways that link the cere- Primary visual cortex brum with the diencephalon and brainstem (Fig. 7.9). Orig- Prefrontal inally the limbic system was considered to be restricted to association cortex a ring of structures surrounding the corpus callosum, in- Sylvian fissure Primary cluding the olfactory system, the cingulate gyrus, parahip- auditory cortex pocampal gyrus, and hippocampus, together with the fiber tracts that interconnect them with the diencephalic com- The four lobes of the cerebral cortex, con- FIGURE 7.8 ponents of the limbic system, the hypothalamus and ante- taining primary sensory and motor areas and major association areas. The central sulcus and sylvian fis- rior thalamus. Current descriptions of the limbic system sure are prominent landmarks used in defining the lobes of the also include the amygdala (deep in the temporal lobe), nu- cortex. Imaginary lines are drawn in to indicate the boundaries cleus accumbens (the limbic portion of the basal ganglia), between the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes. (Modified septal nuclei (at the base of the forebrain), the prefrontal from Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM. Principles of Neural cortex (anterior and inferior components of the frontal Science. 3rd Ed. New York: Elsevier, 1991.) lobe) and the habenula (in the diencephalon). Circuitous loops of fiber tracts interconnect the limbic structures. The main circuit links the hippocampus to the motor area (precentral gyrus) (see Chapters 4 and 5). As mammillary body of the hypothalamus by way of the shown in Figure 7.8, these well-defined areas comprise only fornix, the hypothalamus to the anterior thalamic nuclei via a small fraction of the surface of the cerebral cortex. The the mammillothalamic tract, and the anterior thalamus to majority of the remaining cortical area is known as associ- the cingulate gyrus by widespread, anterior thalamic pro- ation cortex, where the processing of neural information is jections (Fig. 7.10). To complete the circuit, the cingulate performed at the highest levels of which the organism is ca- gyrus connects with the hippocampus, to enter the circuit pable; among vertebrates, the human cortex contains the again. Other structures of the limbic system form smaller most extensive association areas. The association areas are loops within this major circuit, forming the basis for a wide also sites of long-term memory, and they control such hu- range of emotional behaviors. man functions as language acquisition, speech, musical abil- The fornix also connects the hippocampus to the base of ity, mathematical ability, complex motor skills, abstract the forebrain where the septal nuclei and nucleus accum- thought, symbolic thought, and other cognitive functions. bens reside. Prefrontal cortex and other areas of association Association areas interconnect and integrate informa- cortex provide the limbic system with information based on tion from the primary sensory and motor areas via intra- previous learning and currently perceived needs. Inputs hemispheric connections. The parietal-temporal-occipital from the brainstem provide visceral and somatic sensory association cortex integrates neural information con- signals, including tactile, pressure, pain, and temperature tributed by visual, auditory, and somatic sensory experi- information from the skin and sexual organs and pain in- ences. The prefrontal association cortex is extremely im- formation from the visceral organs. portant as the coordinator of emotionally motivated At the caudal end of the limbic system, the brainstem behaviors, by virtue of its connections with the limbic sys- has reciprocal connections with the hypothalamus (see Fig. tem. In addition, the prefrontal cortex receives neural input 7.10). As noted above, all ascending sensory systems in the from the other association areas and regulates motivated brainstem send axon collaterals to the reticular formation, behaviors by direct input to the premotor area, which which, in turn, innervates the limbic system, particularly via serves as the association area of the motor cortex. monoaminergic pathways. The reticular formation also Sensory and motor functions are controlled by cortical forms the ascending reticular activating system, which structures in the contralateral hemisphere (see Chapters 4 serves not only to arouse the cortex but also to impart an and 5). Particular cognitive functions or components of emotional tone to the sensory information transmitted these functions may be lateralized to one side of the brain nonspecifically to the cerebral cortex. (see Clinical Focus Box 7.1). Monoaminergic Innervation. Monoaminergic neurons innervate all parts of the CNS via widespread, divergent The Limbic System Is the Seat of the Emotions pathways starting from cell groups in the reticular forma- The limbic system comprises large areas of the forebrain tion. The limbic system and basal ganglia are richly inner- where the emotions are generated and the responses to vated by catecholaminergic (noradrenergic and dopamin-

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 127 CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 7.1 The Split Brain ability was controlled almost exclusively by the left hemi- Patients with life-threatening, intractable epileptic seizures sphere. Thus, if an object was presented to the left brain were treated in the past by surgical commissurotomy or via any of the sensory systems, the subject could readily cutting of the corpus callosum (see Fig. 7.7). This proce- identify it by the spoken word. However, if the object was dure effectively cut off most of the neuronal communica- presented to the right hemisphere, the subject could not tion between the left and right hemispheres and vastly im- find words to identify it. This was not due to an inability of proved patient status because seizure activity no longer the right hemisphere to perceive the object, as the subject spread back and forth between the hemispheres. could easily identify it among other choices by nonverbal There was a remarkable absence of overt signs of dis- means, such as feeling it while blindfolded. From these ability following commissurotomy; patients retained their and other tests it became clear that the right hemisphere original motor and sensory functions, learning and mem- was mute; it could not produce language. ory, personality, talents, emotional responding, and so on. In accordance with these findings, anatomic studies This outcome was not unexpected because each hemi- show that areas in the temporal lobe concerned with lan- sphere has bilateral representation of most known func- guage ability, including Wernicke’s area, are anatomically tions; moreover, those ascending (sensory) and descend- larger in the left hemisphere than in the right in a majority ing (motor) neuronal systems that crossed to the opposite of humans, and this is seen even prenatally. Corroborative side were known to do so at levels lower than the corpus evidence of language ability in the left hemisphere is callosum. shown in persons who have had a stroke, where aphasias Notwithstanding this appearance of normalcy, follow- are most severe if the damage is on the left side of the ing commissurotomy, patients were shown to be impaired brain. Analysis of people who are deaf who communicated to the extent that one hemisphere literally did not know by sign language prior to a stroke has shown that sign lan- what the other was doing. It was further shown that each guage is also a left-hemisphere function. These patients hemisphere processes neuronal information differently show the same kinds of grammatical and syntactical errors from the other, and that some cerebral functions are con- in their signing following a left-hemisphere stroke as do fined exclusively to one hemisphere. speakers. In an interesting series of studies by Nobel laureate In addition to language ability, the left hemisphere ex- Roger Sperry and colleagues, these patients with a so- cels in mathematical ability, symbolic thinking, and se- called split-brain were subjected to psychophysiological quential logic. The right hemisphere, on the other hand, ex- testing in which each disconnected hemisphere was ex- cels in visuospatial ability, such as three-dimensional amined independently. Their findings confirmed what was constructions with blocks and drawing maps, and in musi- already known: Sensory and motor functions are con- cal sense, artistic sense, and other higher functions that trolled by cortical structures in the contralateral hemi- computers seem less capable of emulating. The right brain sphere. For example, visual signals from the left visual exhibits some ability in language and calculation, but at the field were perceived in the right occipital lobe, and there level of children ages 5 to 7. It has been postulated that both were contralateral controls for auditory, somatic sensory, sides of the brain are capable of all of these functions in and motor functions. (Note that the olfactory system is an early childhood, but the larger size of the language area in exception, as odorant chemicals applied to one nostril are the left temporal lobe favors development of that side dur- perceived in the olfactory lobe on the same side.) How- ing language acquisition, resulting in nearly total special- ever, the scientists were surprised to find that language ization for language on the left side for the rest of one’s life. ergic) and serotonergic nerve terminals emanating from the secretion of hypothalamic releasing factors into a por- brainstem nuclei that contain relatively few cell bodies tal system that carries them through the pituitary stalk into compared to their extensive terminal projections. From the anterior pituitary lobe (see Chapter 32). neurochemical manipulation of monoaminergic neurons in The mesolimbic/mesocortical system of dopaminergic the limbic system, it is apparent that they play a major role neurons originates in the ventral tegmental area of the mid- in determining emotional state. brain region of the brainstem and innervates most struc- Dopaminergic neurons are located in three major path- tures of the limbic system (olfactory tubercles, septal nu- ways originating from cell groups in either the midbrain clei, amygdala, nucleus accumbens) and limbic cortex (the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area) or the hy- (frontal and cingulate cortices). This dopaminergic system pothalamus (Fig. 7.11). The nigrostriatal system consists of plays an important role in motivation and drive. For exam- neurons with cell bodies in the substantia nigra (pars com- ple, dopaminergic sites in the limbic system, particularly pacta) and terminals in the neostriatum (caudate and puta- the more ventral structures such as the septal nuclei and nu- men) located in the basal ganglia. This dopaminergic path- cleus accumbens, are associated with the brain’s reward way is essential for maintaining normal muscle tone and system. Drugs that increase dopaminergic transmission, initiating voluntary movements (see Chapter 5). The such as cocaine, which inhibits dopamine reuptake, and tuberoinfundibular system of dopaminergic neurons is lo- amphetamine, which promotes dopamine release and in- cated entirely within the hypothalamus, with cell bodies in hibits its reuptake, lead to repeated administration and the arcuate nucleus and periventricular nuclei and terminals abuse presumably because they stimulate the brain’s reward in the median eminence on the ventral surface of the hypo- system. The mesolimbic/mesocortical dopaminergic sys- thalamus. The tuberoinfundibular system is responsible for tem is also the site of action of neuroleptic drugs, which

128 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Cingulate gyrus Anterior nucleus of thalamus Fornix Corpus callosum Stria medullaris Longitudinal stria Habenula Septal nuclei Prefrontal cortex Olfactory bulb Stria terminalis The cortical and subcortical FIGURE 7.9 Mammillothalamic tract structures of the limbic system Hippocampal formation extending from the cerebral cortex to the dien- cephalon. The fiber tracts that interconnect the structures of the limbic system are also shown. Amygdaloid complex (Modified from Truex RC, Carpenter MB. Strong Mammillary body and Elwyn’s Human Neuroanatomy. 5th Ed. Balti- Parahippocampal gyrus more: Williams & Wilkins, 1964.) are used to treat schizophrenia (discussed later) and other pothalamus, and the locus ceruleus, which sends efferent psychotic conditions. fibers to nearly all parts of the CNS. Noradrenergic neurons (containing norepinephrine) Noradrenergic neurons innervate all parts of the limbic are located in cell groups in the medulla and pons (Fig. system and the cerebral cortex, where they play a major 7.12). The medullary cell groups project to the spinal cord, role in setting mood (sustained emotional state) and affect where they influence cardiovascular regulation and other (the emotion itself; e.g., euphoria, depression, anxiety). autonomic functions. Cell groups in the pons include the Drugs that alter noradrenergic transmission have profound lateral system, which innervates the basal forebrain and hy- effects on mood and affect. For example, reserpine, which depletes brain norepinephrine (NE), induces a state of de- pression. Drugs that enhance NE availability, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and inhibitors of Prefrontal reuptake, reverse this depression. Amphetamines and co- cortex caine have effects on boosting noradrenergic transmission Motivational processing similar to those described for dopaminergic transmission; Association Memory they inhibit reuptake and/or promote the release of norepi- cortex nephrine. Increased noradrenergic transmission results in processing an elevation of mood, which further contributes to the po- Cingulate gyrus Mesolimbic/ Cingulate gyrus mesocortical system Basal ganglia Anterior Thalamus thalamic Frontal Hippocampus Nigrostriatal nuclei cortex system Mammillothalamic Mammillary Fornix tract body Hypothalamus Substantia Tuberoinfundibular nigra Rest ot system hypothalamus Ventral tegmental area Midbrain Medulla Pons Brainstem The origins and projections of the three FIGURE 7.11 major dopaminergic systems. (Modified from The main circuit of the limbic system. Heimer L. The Human Brain and Spinal Cord. New York: FIGURE 7.10 Springer-Verlag, 1983.)

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 129 Cingulate gyrus that increase serotonin transmission are effective antide- pressant agents. Basal ganglia Frontal Thalamus cortex The Brain’s Reward System. Experimental studies be- ginning early in the last century demonstrated that stimu- lating the limbic system or creating lesions in various parts of the limbic system can alter emotional states. Most of our knowledge comes from animal studies, but emotional feel- ings are reported by humans when limbic structures are Hypothalamus stimulated during brain surgery. The brain has no pain sen- Midbrain sation when touched, and subjects awakened from anesthe- Locus ceruleus sia during brain surgery have communicated changes in Pons emotional experience linked to electrical stimulation of specific areas. Medulla To spinal cord Electrical stimulation of various sites in the limbic sys- tem produces either pleasurable (rewarding) or unpleasant The origins and projections of five of seven (aversive) feelings. To study these findings, researchers use FIGURE 7.12 cell groups of noradrenergic neurons of the electrodes implanted in the brains of animals. When elec- brain. The depicted groups originate in the medulla and pons. trodes are implanted in structures presumed to generate re- Among the latter, the locus ceruleus in the dorsal pons innervates warding feelings and the animals are allowed to deliver cur- most parts of the CNS. (Modified from Heimer L. The Human rent to the electrodes by pressing a bar, repeated and Brain and Spinal Cord. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983.) prolonged self-stimulation is seen. Other needs—such as food, water, and sleep—are neglected. The sites that pro- voke the highest rates of electrical self-stimulation are in tential for abusing such drugs, despite the depression that the ventral limbic areas, including the septal nuclei and nu- follows when drug levels fall. Some of the unwanted conse- cleus accumbens. Extensive studies of electrical self-stimu- quences of cocaine or amphetamine-like drugs reflect the latory behavior indicate that dopaminergic neurons play a increased noradrenergic transmission, in both the periph- major role in mediating reward. The nucleus accumbens is ery and the CNS. This can result in a hypertensive crisis, thought to be the site of action of addictive drugs, includ- myocardial infarction, or stroke, in addition to marked ing opiates, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamine. swings in affect, starting with euphoria and ending with profound depression. Aggression and the Limbic System. A fight-or-flight re- Serotonergic neurons also innervate most parts of the sponse, including the autonomic components (see Chapter 6) CNS. Cell bodies of these neurons are located at the mid- and postures of rage and aggression characteristic of fight- line of the brainstem (the raphe system) and in more later- ing behavior, can be elicited by electrical stimulation of ally placed nuclei, extending from the caudal medulla to the sites in the hypothalamus and amygdala. If the frontal cor- midbrain (Fig. 7.13). Serotonin plays a major role in the de- tical connections to the limbic system are severed, rage fect underlying affective disorders (discussed later). Drugs postures and aggressiveness become permanent, illustrating the importance of the higher centers in restraining aggres- sion and, presumably, in invoking it at appropriate times. Cingulate gyrus By contrast, bilateral removal of the amygdala results in a Basal ganglia placid animal that cannot be provoked. Frontal Thalamus cortex Sexual Activity. The biological basis of human sexual ac- tivity is poorly understood because of its complexity and be- cause findings derived from nonhuman animal studies can- not be extrapolated. The major reason for this limitation is that the cerebral cortex, uniquely developed in the human brain, plays a more important role in governing human sex- Hypothalamus ual activity than the instinctive or olfactory-driven behav- Midbrain iors in nonhuman primates and lower mammalian species. Nevertheless, several parallels in human and nonhuman sex- Pons ual activities exist, indicating that the limbic system, in gen- Medulla eral, coordinates sex drive and mating behavior, with higher To spinal cord centers exerting more or less overriding influences. Copulation in mammals is coordinated by reflexes of the The origins and projections of the nine cell FIGURE 7.13 sacral spinal cord, including male penile erection and ejac- groups of the serotonergic system of the brain. The depicted groups originate in the caudal medulla, pons, ulation reflexes and engorgement of female erectile tissues, and midbrain and send projections to most regions of the brain. as well as the muscular spasms of the orgasmic response. (Modified from Heimer L. The Human Brain and Spinal Cord. Copulatory behaviors and postures can be elicited in ani- New York: Springer-Verlag, 1983.) mals by stimulating parts of the hypothalamus, olfactory

130 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY system, and other limbic areas, resulting in mounting be- reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and electroconvulsive therapy, havior in males and lordosis (arching the back and raising have in common the ability to stimulate both noradrenergic the tail) in females. Ablation studies have shown that sexual and serotonergic neurons serving the limbic system. A ther- behavior also requires an intact connection of the limbic apeutic response to these treatments ensues only after treat- system with the frontal cortex. ment is repeated over time. Similarly, when treatment stops, Olfactory cues are important in initiating mating activity symptoms may not reappear for several weeks. This time lag in seasonal breeders. Driven by the hypothalamus’ endoge- in treatment response is presumably due to alterations in the nous seasonal clock, the anterior and preoptic areas of the long-term regulation of receptor and second messenger sys- hypothalamus initiate hormonal control of the gonads. tems in relevant regions of the brain. Hormonal release leads to the secretion of odorants The most effective long-term treatment for mania is (pheromones) by the female reproductive tract, signaling lithium, although antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs, which the onset of estrus and sexual receptivity to the male. The block dopamine receptors, are effective in the acute treat- odorant cues are powerful stimulants, acting at extremely ment of mania. The therapeutic actions of lithium remain low concentrations to initiate mating behavior in males. The unknown, but the drug has an important action on a recep- olfactory system, by virtue of its direct connections with the tor-mediated second messenger system. Lithium interferes limbic system, facilitates the coordination of behavioral, en- with regeneration of phosphatidylinositol in neuronal docrine, and autonomic responses involved in mating. membranes by blocking the hydrolysis of inositol-1-phos- Although human and nonhuman primates are not sea- phate. Depletion of phosphatidylinositol in the membrane sonal breeders (mating can occur on a continual basis), ves- renders it incapable of responding to receptors that use this tiges of this pattern remain. These include the importance second messenger system. of the olfactory and limbic systems and the role of the hy- pothalamus in cyclic changes in female ovarian function Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is the collective name for and the continuous regulation of male testicular function. a group of psychotic disorders that vary greatly in symp- More important determinants of human sexual activity are toms among individuals. The features most commonly ob- the higher cortical functions of learning and memory, served are thought disorder, inappropriate emotional re- which serve to either reinforce or suppress the signals that sponse, and auditory hallucinations. While the biochemical initiate sexual responding, including the sexual reflexes co- imbalance resulting in schizophrenia is poorly understood, ordinated by the sacral spinal cord. the most troubling symptoms of schizophrenia are amelio- rated by neuroleptic drugs, which block dopamine recep- tors in the limbic system. Psychiatric Disorders Involve the Limbic System Current research is focused on finding the subtype of The major psychiatric disorders, including affective disor- dopamine receptor that mediates mesocortical/mesolimbic ders and schizophrenia, are disabling diseases with a ge- dopaminergic transmission but does not affect the nigrostri- netic predisposition and no known cure. The biological atal system, which controls motor function (see Fig. 7.12). So basis for these disorders remains obscure, particularly the far, neuroleptic drugs that block one pathway almost always role of environmental influences on individuals with a ge- block the other as well, leading to unwanted neurological netic predisposition to developing a disorder. Altered side effects, including abnormal involuntary movements (tar- states of the brain’s monoaminergic systems have been a dive dyskinesia) after long-term treatment or parkinsonism major focus as possible underlying factors, based on ex- in the short term. Similarly, some patients with Parkinson’s tensive human studies in which neurochemical imbalances disease who receive L-DOPA to augment dopaminergic in catecholamines, acetylcholine, and serotonin have been transmission in the nigrostriatal pathway must be taken off observed. Another reason for focusing on the monoamin- the medication because they develop psychosis. ergic systems is that the most effective drugs used in treat- ing psychiatric disorders are agents that alter monoamin- ergic transmission. Memory and Learning Require the Cerebral Cortex and Limbic System Affective Disorders. The affective disorders include ma- Memory and learning are inextricably linked because part jor depression, which can be so profound as to provoke sui- of the learning process involves the assimilation of new in- cide, and bipolar disorder (or manic-depressive disorder), formation and its commitment to memory. The most likely in which periods of profound depression are followed by sites of learning in the human brain are the large association periods of mania, in a cyclic pattern. Biochemical studies areas of the cerebral cortex, in coordination with subcorti- indicate that depressed patients show decreased use of cal structures deep in the temporal lobe, including the hip- brain NE. In manic periods, NE transmission increases. pocampus and amygdala. The association areas draw on Whether in depression or in mania, all patients seem to sensory information received from the primary visual, audi- have decreased brain serotonergic transmission, suggesting tory, somatic sensory, and olfactory cortices and on emo- that serotonin may exert an underlying permissive role in tional feelings transmitted via the limbic system. This in- abnormal mood swings, in contrast with norepinephrine, formation is integrated with previously learned skills and whose transmission, in a sense, titrates the mood from stored memory, which presumably also reside in the asso- highest to lowest extremes. ciation areas. The most effective treatments for depression, including The learning process itself is poorly understood, but it antidepressant drugs such as MAOIs and selective serotonin can be studied experimentally at the synaptic level in iso-

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 131 lated slices of mammalian brain or in more simple inver- An early demonstration of the dichotomy between de- tebrate nervous systems. Synapses subjected to repeated clarative and procedural memory came from studies by Dr. presynaptic neuronal stimulation show changes in the Brenda Milner on a patient of Dr. Wilder Penfield in the excitability of postsynaptic neurons. These changes in- mid-1950s. This patient (H.M.) had received a bilateral clude the facilitation of neuronal firing, altered patterns medial temporal lobectomy to treat severe epilepsy and, of neurotransmitter release, second messenger formation, since that time, has been unable to form any new declara- and, in intact organisms, evidence that learning occurred. tive memories. This deficit is called anterograde amnesia. The phenomenon of increased excitability and altered Dr. Milner was quite surprised to learn that H.M. could chemical state on repeated synaptic stimulation is known learn a relatively difficult mirror-drawing task, in which as long-term potentiation, a persistence beyond the ces- (like anyone else) he got better with repeated trials and re- sation of electrical stimulation, as is expected of learning tained the skill over time. However, he could not remem- and memory. An early event in long-term potentiation is ber ever having done the task before. a series of protein phosphorylations induced by receptor- activated second messengers and leading to activation of Short-Term Memory. Declarative memory can be di- a host of intracellular proteins and altered excitability. In vided into that which can be recalled for only a brief period addition to biochemical changes in synaptic efficacy as- (seconds to minutes), and that which can be recalled for sociated with learning at the cellular level, structural al- weeks to years. Newly acquired learning experiences can be terations occur. The number of connections between sets readily recalled for only a few minutes or more using short- of neurons increases as a result of experience. term memory. An example of short-term memory is look- Much of our knowledge about human memory forma- ing up a telephone number, repeating it mentally until you tion and retrieval is based on studies of patients in whom finish dialing the number, then promptly forgetting it as stroke, brain injury, or surgery resulted in memory dis- you focus your attention on starting the conversation. orders. Such knowledge is then examined in more rigor- Short-term memory is a product of working memory; the ous experiments in nonhuman primates capable of cog- decision to process information further for permanent stor- nitive functions. From these combined approaches, we age is based on judgment as to its importance or on whether know that the prefrontal cortex is essential for coordi- it is associated with a significant event or emotional state. nating the formation of memory, starting from a learning An active process involving the hippocampus must be em- experience in the cerebral cortex, then processing the ployed to make a memory more permanent. information and communicating it to the subcortical limbic structures. The prefrontal cortex receives sensory Long-Term Memory. The conversion of short-term to input from the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes long-term memory is facilitated by repetition, by adding and emotional input from the limbic system. Drawing on more than one sensory modality to learn the new experience skills such as language and mathematical ability, the pre- (e.g., writing down a newly acquired fact at the same time frontal cortex integrates these inputs in light of previ- one hears it spoken) and, even more effective, by tying the ously acquired learning. The prefrontal cortex can thus experience (through the limbic system) to a strong, mean- be considered the site of working memory, where new ingful emotional context. The role of the hippocampus in experiences are processed, as opposed to sites that con- consolidating the memory is reinforced by its participation solidate the memory and store it. The processed infor- in generating the emotional state with which the new expe- mation is then transmitted to the hippocampus, where it rience is associated. As determined by studying patients is consolidated over several hours into a more permanent such as H.M., the most important regions of the medial tem- form that is stored in, and can be retrieved from, the as- poral lobe for long-term declarative memory formation are sociation cortices. the hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex. Once a long-term memory is formed, the hippocampus Declarative and Procedural Memory. A remarkable is not required for subsequent retrieval of the memory. finding from studies of surgical patients who had bilateral Thus, H.M. showed no evidence of a loss of memories laid resections of the medial temporal lobe is that there are down prior to surgery; this type of memory loss is known as two fundamentally different memory systems in the brain. retrograde amnesia. Nor was there loss of intellectual ca- Declarative memory refers to memory of events and facts pacity, mathematical skills, or other cognitive functions. and the ability to consciously access them. Patients with An extreme example of H.M.’s memory loss is that Dr. Mil- bilateral medial temporal lobectomies lose their ability to ner, who worked with him for years, had to introduce her- form any new declarative memories. However, they retain self to her patient every time they met, even though he their ability to learn and remember new skills and proce- could readily remember people and events that had oc- dures. This type of memory is called procedural memory curred before his surgery. and involves several different regions of the brain, de- pending on the type of procedure. In contrast to declara- Cholinergic Innervation. The primacy of the hip- tive memory, structures in the medial temporal lobe are pocampus and its connections with the base of the fore- not involved in procedural memory. Learning and re- brain for memory formation implicates acetylcholine as a membering new motor skills and habits requires the stria- major transmitter in cognitive function and learning and tum, motor areas of the cortex, and the cerebellum. Emo- memory. The basal forebrain region contains prominent tional associations require the amygdala. Conditioned populations of cholinergic neurons that project to the reflexes require the cerebellum. hippocampus and to all regions of the cerebral cortex

132 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Cingulate gyrus Cortical cholinergic connections are thought to control Basal ganglia selective attention, a function congruent with the choliner- gic brainstem projections through the ascending reticular Frontal Thalamus cortex activating system. Loss of cholinergic function is associated with dementia, an impairment of memory, abstract think- ing, and judgment (see Clinical Focus Box 7.2). Other cholinergic neurons include motor neurons and autonomic preganglionic neurons, as well as a major interneuronal pool in the striatum. Basal forebrain nuclei Hypothalamus Language and Speech Are Coordinated in Midbrain Specific Areas of Association Cortex Pedunculopontine Pons nucleus The ability to communicate by language, verbally and in Medulla writing, is one of the most difficult cognitive functions to The origins and projections of major FIGURE 7.14 study because only humans are capable of these skills. cholinergic neurons. Cholinergic neurons in Thus, our knowledge of language processing in the brain the basal forebrain nuclei innervate all regions of the cerebral cor- has been inferred from clinical data by studying patients tex. Cholinergic neurons in the brainstem’s pedunculopontine nu- with aphasias—disturbances in producing or understand- cleus provide a major input to the thalamus and also innervate the brainstem and spinal cord. Cholinergic interneurons are found in ing the meaning of words—following brain injury, surgery, the basal ganglia. Not shown are peripherally projecting neurons, or other damage to the cerebral cortex. the somatic motor neurons, and autonomic preganglionic neu- Two areas appear to play an important role in language rons, which also are cholinergic. and speech: Wernicke’s area, in the upper temporal lobe, and Broca’s area, in the frontal lobe (Fig. 7.15). Both of these areas are located in association cortex, adjacent to cortical areas that are essential in language communica- (Fig. 7.14). These cholinergic neurons are known gener- tion. Wernicke’s area is in the parietal-temporal-occipital ically as basal forebrain nuclei and include the septal nu- association cortex, a major association area for processing clei, the nucleus basalis, and the nucleus accumbens. An- sensory information from the somatic sensory, visual, and other major cholinergic projection derives from a region auditory cortices. Broca’s area is in the prefrontal associ- of the brainstem reticular formation known as the pe- ation cortex, adjacent to the portion of the motor cortex dunculopontine nucleus, which projects to the thala- that regulates movement of the muscles of the mouth, mus, spinal cord, and other regions of the brainstem. tongue, and throat (i.e., the structures used in the me- Roughly 90% of brainstem inputs to all nuclei of the thal- chanical production of speech). A fiber tract, the arcuate amus are cholinergic. fasciculus, connects Wernicke’s area with Broca’s area to CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 7.2 Alzheimer’s Disease sive deterioration of function follows and, at late stages, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of the patient is bedridden, nearly mute, unresponsive, and dementia in older adults. The cause of the disease still is incontinent. A definitive diagnosis of AD is not possible un- unknown and there is no cure. In 1999, an estimated 4 mil- til autopsy, but the constellation of symptoms and disease lion people in the United States suffered from AD. While progression allows a reasonably certain diagnosis. the disease usually begins after age 65, and risk of AD goes Gross pathology consistent with AD is mild to severe up with age, it is important to note that AD is not a normal cortical atrophy (depending on age of onset and death). part of aging. The aging of the baby boom population has Microscopic pathology indicates two classic signs of the made AD one of the fastest growing diseases; estimates disease even at the earliest stages: the presence of senile indicate that by the year 2040, some 14 million people in plaques (SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). As the the United States will suffer from AD. disease progresses, synaptic and neuronal loss or atrophy Cognitive deficits are the primary symptoms of AD. and an increase in SPs and NFTs occur. Early on, there is mild memory impairment; as the disease While many neurotransmitter systems are implicated progresses, memory problems increase and difficulties in AD, the most consistent pathology is the loss or atro- with language are generally observed, including word- phy of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. Med- finding problems and decreased verbal fluency. Many pa- ications that ameliorate the cognitive symptoms of AD tients also exhibit difficulty with visuospatial tasks. Per- are cholinergic function enhancers. These observations sonality changes are common, and patients become emphasize the importance of cholinergic systems in cog- disoriented as the memory problems worsen. A progres- nitive function.

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 133 Primary Primary somatic coordinate aspects of understanding and executing speech motor cortex sensory cortex and language skills. Clinical evidence indicates that Wernicke’s area is es- Wernicke's area sential for the comprehension, recognition, and construc- tion of words and language, whereas Broca’s area is essen- tial for the mechanical production of speech. Patients with a defect in Broca’s area show evidence of comprehending a spoken or written word but they are not able to say the word. In contrast, patients with damage in Wernicke’s area can produce speech, but the words they put together have little meaning. Primary Broca's area visual cortex Language is a highly lateralized function of the brain residing in the left hemisphere (see Clinical Focus Box Primary 7.1). This dominance is observed in left-handed as well as auditory cortex right-handed individuals. Moreover, it is language that is lateralized, not the reception or production of speech. Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas and the pri- Thus native signers (individuals who use sign language) FIGURE 7.15 mary motor, visual, auditory, and somatic that have been deaf since birth still show left-hemisphere sensory cortices. language function. REVIEW QUESTIONS DIRECTIONS: Each of the numbered (A) Adrenaline removal of a tumor and concomitant items or incomplete statements in this (B) Leptin destruction of surrounding tissue, a section is followed by answers or by (C) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone patient’s hypothalamus no longer completions of the statement. Select the (D) Melatonin received this information. The most ONE lettered answer or completion that is (E) Vasopressin likely location of this tumor was in BEST in each case. 4. The basal forebrain nuclei and the (A) The body’s internal clock pedunculopontine nuclei are similar in (B) A direct neural pathway from the 1. An EEG technician can look at an that neurons within them optic nerve to the suprachiasmatic electroencephalogram and tell that the (A) Are major inputs to the striatum nucleus subject was awake, but relaxed with (B) Receive innervation from the (C) The reticular formation eyes closed, during generation of the cingulate gyrus (D) A projection from the occipital recording. She can tell this because the (C) Process information related to lobe of the cerebral cortex to the EEG recording exhibits language construction hypothalamus (A) Alpha rhythm (D) Utilize acetylcholine as their (E) The pineal gland (B) Beta rhythm neurotransmitter 7. Posterior pituitary hormone secretion (C) Theta rhythm (E) Are atrophied in patients with is mediated by (D) Delta rhythm schizophrenia (A) A portal capillary system from the (E) Variable rhythm 5. A scientist develops a reagent that hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary 2. A patient’s wife complains that, several allows identification of leptin-sensing (B) The fight-or-flight response times during the last few weeks, her neurons in the CNS. The reagent is a (C) The hypothalamo-hypophyseal husband struck her as he flailed around fluorescent compound that binds to tract originating from magnocellular violently during sleep. The husband the plasma membrane of cells that neurons in the supraoptic and indicates that when he wakes up sense leptin. Application of this paraventricular nuclei during one of these sessions, he has reagent to sections of the brain would (D) The reticular activating system’s been dreaming. What is the likely result in fluorescent staining located in input to the hypothalamus cause of his problem? the (E) The emotional state (i.e., mood and (A) Increased muscle tone during stage (A) Arcuate nucleus of the affect) 4 sleep hypothalamus 8. Language and speech require the (B) Increased drive to the motor cortex (B) Mammillary nuclei of the participation of both Wernicke’s area during REM sleep hypothalamus and Broca’s area. These two regions of (C) Lack of behavioral inhibition by (C) Paraventricular nucleus of the the brain communicate with each other the prefrontal cortex during sleep hypothalamus via a fiber bundle called (D) Lack of abolished muscle tone (D) Preoptic nucleus of the (A) The thalamocortical tract during REM sleep hypothalamus (B) The reticular activating system (E) Abnormal functioning of the (E) Ventromedial nucleus of the (C) The prefrontal lobe amygdala during paradoxical sleep thalamus (D) The fornix 3. The hormone secreted by the pineal 6. The hypothalamus receives cues (E) The arcuate fasciculus gland under control of the concerning the cycle of sunlight and 9. A chemist is trying to produce a new suprachiasmatic nucleus is darkness in a 24-hour day. Following neuroleptic drug. To be an effective (continued)

134 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY neuroleptic, the new compound must (A) Recalling an old declarative (D) Noradrenergic pathways target memory (E) Serotonergic pathways (A) Acetylcholine receptors (B) Recalling an old procedural 15.Persons with mild cognitive (B) Dopamine receptors memory impairments who smoke may (C) Neuropeptide Y receptors (C) Forming a new short-term memory experience a worsening of symptoms if (D) Norepinephrine receptors (D) Forming a new long-term memory they stop smoking. This worsening of (E) Serotonin receptors (E) Forming a new procedural memory symptoms is because nicotine acts as 10.A patient suffered a stroke that 13.An older gentleman is brought to the an agonist for receptors of a particular destroyed the intralaminar nuclei of emergency department (ED) by his neurotransmitter. That the thalamus. The location of the daughter. She had gone to his house neurotransmitter is stroke was confirmed by magnetic for lunch, which she did on a daily (A) Acetylcholine resonance imaging of the brain; basis. During her visit that day, she (B) Dopamine however, an indication that the stroke was alarmed because his speech did not (C) Neuropeptide Y affected these nuclei was provided make sense to her even though he (D) Nitric oxide prior to imaging by an alteration in talked a lot and the words themselves (E) Serotonin arousal in the patient. Which of the were clear. The physician in the ED following alterations in arousal is most informed the daughter that her father SUGGESTED READING likely following destruction of these had most likely suffered a stroke that Bavelier D, Corina DP, Neville HJ. Brain nuclei? damaged and language: A perspective from sign (A) Loss of consciousness (A) Broca’s area language. Neuron 1998;21:275–278. (B) Increased time spent in beta (B) The corpus callosum Cooke B, Hegstrom CD, Villenueve LS, rhythm (C) The hippocampus Breedlove SM. Sexual differentiation of (C) Increased attention to specific (D) The arcuate fasciculus the vertebrate brain: Principles and sensory inputs (E) Wernicke’s area mechanisms. Front Neuroendocr (D) Alterations in paradoxical, but not 14.A woman agreed to visit her physician 1998;19:323–362. slow-wave sleep because her husband was very worried Dijk D-J, Duffy JF. Circadian regulation (E) Alteration in the period of the about her behavior. She told the of human sleep and age-related biological clock doctor she felt great and that she was changes in its timing, consolidation and 11.A blindfolded subject is asked to going to run for governor of the state EEG characteristics. Ann Med verbally identify a common object because she was smarter than the 1999;31:130–140. presented to her left hand. She is not current governor and people would Elmquist JK, Elias CF, Saper CB. From le- allowed to touch the object with her immediately agree to her plans. Her sions to leptin: Hypothalamic control right hand. Which of the following husband said she had been sleeping of food intake and body weight. Neu- structures must be intact for her to very little the last several days and had ron 1999;22:221–232. complete this task? spent several thousand dollars in a Gazzaniga MS. The split brain revisited. (A) The primary somatic sensory shopping spree the day before. This Sci Am 1998;279(1):50–55. cortex on the left side of her brain was not typical behavior and had Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM. Prin- (B) The primary visual cortex on the significantly affected their ability to ciples of Neural Science. 4th Ed. New right side of her brain meet their obligations for household York: McGraw-Hill, 2000. (C) The fornix expenses. The physician indicated a Milner B, Squire LR, Kandel ER. Cognitive (D) The corpus callosum diagnosis of mania and started her on a neuroscience and the study of memory. (E) The hippocampus course of a drug that would decrease Neuron 1998;20:445–468. 12.A viral infection causes damage to both neurotransmission in Perry E, Walker M, Grace J, Perry R. hippocampi in a patient. This damage (A) Cholinergic pathways Acetylcholine in mind: A neurotrans- would cause the patient to exhibit (B) Dopaminergic pathways mitter correlate of consciousness? functional deficits in (C) Glutaminergic pathways Trends Neurosci 1999;22:273–280. CASE STUDIES FOR PART II • • • CASE STUDY FOR CHAPTER 4 he indicates that he also may not be hearing as well as he should, but at other times he does not notice any hearing Dizziness problems. He further indicates that he may have had oc- A 35-year-old man consulted his family physician be- casional dizzy spells before the ladder incident, but that cause of some recent episodes of what he described as they now appear to be much more frequent. The only dizziness. He was concerned that this complaint might be medication he takes is aspirin for an occasional related to a fall from a stepladder that had occurred the headache. He has no difficulty in following a moving fin- previous month, although his symptoms did not begin ger with his head held stationary, and on the day of the immediately after the incident. At the time of his visit to visit he walks with a normal gait. He reports no light- the doctor, his symptoms are minimal, and he appears to headedness with moderate and continued exertion. be in good general health. He states that the feeling of Gentle irrigation of his external ear canals with warm dizziness, which also included sensations of nausea water (at approximately 39
C) produces a feeling of dizzi- (without vomiting) and “ringing in the ears,” make him ness and nausea accompanied by nystagmus. The sub- feel as though his surroundings were spinning around jective sensations appeared to be the same for each ear. him. The episodes, which could last for several days at a He is further evaluated with the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, time, are quite annoying and sufficiently severe to cause and no sensations of vertigo are elicited during the posi- him concern for his safety on the job. When questioned, tional maneuvers. However, when he is rapidly rotated (continued)

CHAPTER 7 Integrative Functions of the Nervous System 135 in a swivel chair, he reports dizziness that was more se- CASE STUDY FOR CHAPTER 5 vere than his usual symptoms. Rotation in the opposite direction produced similar symptoms. His physician ad- Upper Motor Neuron Lesion vises him that there may be some appropriate specific A 50-year-old man comes for evaluation of persistent dif- medications for his condition, but he would first like him ficulty using his right arm and leg. The patient was well to try a salt-restricted diet for the next 4 weeks. He also until one month previously when he had abrupt onset of prescribes a mild diuretic. weakness on the right side of his body while watching a Upon his return visit 4 weeks later, the patient reports television show. He was taken to the hospital by ambu- a gradual lessening of the frequency and duration of his lance within one hour of onset of symptoms. The initial spells of dizziness and accompanying symptoms. evaluation in the hospital emergency department shows Questions elevated blood pressure with values of 200 mm Hg sys- 1. What features of this case would indicate that trauma from tolic and 150 mm Hg diastolic. The right arm and leg are the stepladder incident was not the precipitating cause of severely weak. Activity of the myotatic reflexes on the the symptoms? right side is very reduced in comparison with the left 2. What factors would tend to rule out a diagnosis of benign side, where they are normal. Right side limb movements paroxysmal positional vertigo? are slightly improved by 12 hours after onset, but are 3. Would the use of water at body temperature yield the same still moderately impaired on the fourth hospital day. diagnostic information as warmer or cooler water? A magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI) of the 4. Is the patient’s lack of light-headedness with moderate exer- brain performed on the second day of hospitalization cise relevant to the diagnosis of this problem? shows a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere in 5. Is it likely that the sensations produced by rapid rotation are the region of the internal capsule. The blood pressure re- mimicking those produced by his underlying disorder? mains elevated, and medication to lower it is begun dur- 6. What is the purpose of the salt-restricted diet and diuretic ing the hospital stay. The patient is transferred to a reha- therapy? Why was this tried before prescribing medication bilitation hospital on the fourth day for extensive for his problem? physical therapy to assist further recovery of neurologi- Answers to Case Study Questions for Chapter 4 cal function. 1. Several features of this case suggest that trauma from the At follow-up examination one month after onset of stepladder incident was not the precipitating cause. The the stroke, the blood pressure remains normal on the caloric stimulation test and the rotation in the swivel chair medication that was started in the hospital. Neurological indicate that his vestibular function is bilaterally symmetri- examination demonstrates mild weakness of the right cal and of normal sensitivity. A defect arising from trauma arm and leg. There is still a slight but obvious delay be- would likely be localized to the injured side. His uncertainty tween asking the patient to move those limbs and the of the timing of the onset of the symptoms indicates that movement actually beginning. Passive movement of the the problem may have preceded the accident (and, perhaps, right arm and leg by the physician provokes involuntary led to it), and the lack of immediate appearance of symp- contraction of the muscles in those limbs that seem to toms also tends to rule out trauma. counteract the attempted movement. Right side myotatic 2. The relatively young age of the patient and the negative reflexes are very hyperactive compared with those ob- findings from the Dix-Hallpike test argue against positional tained on the left. When the skin over the lateral plantar vertigo and lend support to a tentative diagnosis of area of the right foot is stroked, the first toe extends in- Ménière’s disease, as would the presence of tinnitus and voluntarily. When this maneuver is performed on the the fluctuating hearing loss. The patient’s positive response left, the toes flex. to salt restriction and diuretic therapy is also indicative of Questions this syndrome. (See answer to Question 6.) 1. Explain the neurophysiology of the muscular weakness, 3. The purpose of the application of water is to provide a ther- slowness of movement initiation, increased muscle resist- mal stimulus that will heat or cool the endolymph in the ance to passive movement, and overactive myotatic re- semicircular canals and cause convection currents that flexes on the right side one month after stroke onset. would stimulate the ampullae. Use of water at body temper- 2. Explain why the toes extend on the right side and flex on ature would not produce this effect, and no symptoms the left in response to plantar stimulation. would be elicited. Warmer or cooler water would each pro- Answers to Case Study Questions for Chapter 5 duce symptoms of vertigo. 1. The motor pathways that descend to the spinal cord from 4. This observation tends to rule out cerebral ischemia as a re- higher CNS levels initiate voluntary muscle action and sult of circulatory (vascular) or heart problems, factors that also regulate the sensitivity of the muscle stretch (my- would also be more likely in an older patient. otatic) reflex. Impairment of corticospinal tract input to 5. The symptoms produced by the rotation are severe because the alpha motor neuron pools results in weakness and of the simultaneous involvement of both sets of vestibular slowness of initiation of voluntary movement. The corti- apparatus and the resulting heavy neural input, which is cospinal tract deficit also produces an increased sensitiv- likely to be greater than that produced by his underlying ity of the spinal reflex pathways, resulting in overly vigor- condition. ous muscle stretch reflexes. Muscle tone, the normal 6. The use of salt restriction and diuretics would reduce the slight resistance to passive movement that is detectable in overall hydration state of his body and tend to reduce ab- a relaxed muscle, becomes greatly increased and demon- normal pressure within the labyrinthine system. The use of strates a pattern that is called spasticity. Spastic tone is antimotion sickness drugs would interfere with the natural most evident in the flexor muscles of the arm and the ex- neural compensation that would, it is hoped, reduce the tensor muscles of the leg. severity of the symptoms with time. 2. The extensor movement of the first toe in response to Reference stroking the plantar aspect of the foot, termed Babinski Drachman DA. A 69-year-old man with chronic dizziness. JAMA sign, is thought to occur because of modification of flexor 1998;280:2111–2118. withdrawal reflexes secondary to the impaired input of the

136 PART II NEUROPHYSIOLOGY corticospinal tract. The normal response is for the toes to 2. The Cushing response (described by famous neurosurgeon flex when the plantar surface is stimulated. Harvey Cushing) consists of the development of hyperten- The neurophysiological details of how the deficit in sion, bradycardia, and apnea in patients with increased in- corticospinal input actually produces these commonly tracranial pressure most often a result of tumors or other le- encountered abnormalities in muscle tone and reflex sions, such as hemorrhage, that compress the brain. The patterns are still not well understood. A current theory is pressure is transmitted downward to the brainstem and dis- that the disturbance of central control reduces the torts the medulla, where the centers for blood pressure, threshold of the stretch reflex but does not alter its gain. heart rate, and respiratory drive originate. Correct interpre- References tation of these abnormalities in vital signs permits begin- Lance JW. The control of muscle tone, reflexes, and move- ning treatments that reduce intracranial pressure. These in- ment. Neurology 1980;30:1303–1313. clude elevating the head of the bed, placing the patient on Powers RK, Marder-Meyer J, Rymer WZ. Quantitative relations an artificial respirator, and then instituting hyperventilation between hypertonia and stretch reflex threshold in spastic to lower the blood P CO2 to produce cerebral vasoconstric- hemiparesis. Ann Neurol 1988;23:11–124. tion and giving mannitol to reduce the fluid content of the brain temporarily. CASE STUDY FOR CHAPTER 6 Another autonomic reaction from the CNS that is uti- lized daily in hospitals is the response of fetal heart rate Autonomic Dysfunction as a Result of CNS Disease to compression of the head during labor. During uterine A 30-year-old patient came to the hospital emergency contractions, the fetal head is temporarily compressed. department because of a terrible headache that began As the fetal skull is still malleable because the bones of several hours ago and did not improve. Previously he the cranium are not yet fused, the pressure of the con- had experienced only mild, infrequent tension traction is transmitted to the brain. The same mecha- headaches associated with stressful days. Because of the nism of cardiac slowing as cited for the Cushing re- intensity of this new headache, he is treated with in- sponse is presumed to cause the temporary bradycardia. jectable analgesics and is admitted to the hospital for Slowing of greater than established normal limits indi- further observation. cates the fetus is suffering significant physiological dis- During the next several hours, the patient’s level of tress. Additional factors, such as umbilical cord com- consciousness declines to the point of responding only pression, may also produce patterns of slowing outside to painful stimuli. An emergency computed tomography of the normal range. (CT) scan of the brain demonstrates the presence of Reference blood diffusely in the subarachnoid space. The source of Talman WT. The central nervous system and cardiovascular the blood is thought to be a ruptured cerebral artery control in health and disease. In: Low PA. Clinical Autonomic aneurysm. Disorders. 2nd Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997 During the next 24 hours, the patient’s ECG begins to show abnormalities consisting of both tachycardia and changes in the configuration of the waves suggestive of CASE STUDY FOR CHAPTER 7 a heart attack. The patient has no risk factors for prema- Stroke ture cardiac disease. A cardiology consultation is re- quested. A 67-year-old man was taken to see his physician by his wife. For the preceding 2 days, the patient’s wife had no- Questions ticed that he did not seem to make sense when he spoke. 1. What is the explanation for the cardiac abnormalities in this She also indicated that he seemed a little disoriented situation? and did not respond appropriately to her questions. He 2. Describe two other scenarios in which there are prominent has no obvious motor or somatic sensory deficits. manifestations of autonomic activation produced by abnor- On examination, the physician concludes that the malities in the central nervous system. man had a stroke in a region of one of his cerebral hemi- Answers to Case Study Questions for Chapter 6 spheres. As part of the diagnosis, the physician tests the 1. The consulting cardiologist reviewed the situation and man’s visual fields and notices a decreased awareness stated that the ECG abnormalities were all a result of sub- of stimuli presented to one visual field. arachnoid blood and that an adrenergic antagonist medica- Questions tion should be administered. 1. Which side of the brain most likely suffered the stroke? Blood released into the subarachnoid space by rup- 2. Which regions of the hemisphere suffered the stroke? ture of blood vessels or direct trauma to the brain can 3. What information from the case history gives the answers stimulate excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous to questions 1 and 2? system. Although a full explanation is still lacking, it is 4. Which visual field is affected by the stroke? postulated that the subarachnoid blood irritates the hy- pothalamus and autonomic regulatory areas in the Answers to Case Study Questions for Chapter 7 medulla, resulting in excessive activation of the sympa- 1. The stroke occurred on the left side of the brain. thetic pathways. This activation causes the secretion of 2. The stroke involved the superior posterior temporal lobe en- norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings and epi- compassing Wernicke’s area and the occipital lobe encom- nephrine by the adrenal medulla. Direct stimulation of passing the primary visual cortex. the sympathetic pathways that supply the heart can pro- 3. Language deficits indicate involvement of the left hemi- duce the same ECG abnormalities in experimental ani- sphere. The fluent but nonsensical speech indicates involve- mals as were found in this patient. The heightened re- ment of Wernicke’s area. The visual field deficit indicates a lease of norepinephrine and epinephrine stimulates the loss in the visual cortex. The lack of motor or somatic sen- cardiac conducting system and may also produce direct sory deficits excludes the posterior frontal and anterior pari- damage of the myocardium. Treatment with medications etal lobes. that attenuate the effects of sympathetic neurotransmit- 4. The right visual field would be affected, because visual ters can be lifesaving. fields are represented in the contralateral hemispheres.

PART III Muscle Physiology CHAPTER Contractile Properties 8 of Muscle Cells 8 Richard A. Meiss, Ph.D. CHAPTER OUTLINE ■ THE ROLES OF MUSCLE ■ THE ACTIVATION AND INTERNAL CONTROL OF ■ THE FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY AND MUSCLE FUNCTION ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MUSCLE ■ ENERGY SOURCES FOR MUSCLE CONTRACTION KEY CONCEPTS 1. Muscle is classified into three categories, based on 9. Changes in the length of a skeletal muscle result in anatomic location, histological structure, and mode of con- changes in the degree of overlap of the myofilaments. trol. The categories may overlap. 10. The crossbridge cycle is a series of chemical reactions that 2. Skeletal (striated) muscle is used for voluntary movement transform the energy stored in ATP into mechanical energy of the skeleton. that produces muscle contraction. 3. Smooth muscle controls and aids the function of visceral 11. ATP has two functions in the crossbridge cycle: to provide organs. the energy for contraction, and to allow the myosin cross- 4. Cardiac muscle provides the motive power for circulation bridges to release from the actin filaments. of the blood. 12. Overall muscle force and shortening occur as a result of 5. The contractile proteins of muscle are arranged into two the cumulative effects of millions of crossbridges acting to overlapping sets of myofilaments, one predominantly move myofilaments past one another. myosin-containing (thick), and one predominantly actin- 13. Crossbridge interaction and the events of the crossbridge containing (thin). cycle are regulated by the action of calcium ions, which are 6. In skeletal and cardiac muscle, the myofilaments are stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum when the muscle is at arranged into sarcomeres, the fundamental organizational rest. unit of the contractile machinery. 14. The release and uptake of calcium ions by the sarcoplas- 7. Crossbridges are projections of myosin filaments that mic reticulum of skeletal muscle are controlled by the make mechanical contact with actin filaments. membrane potential of the muscle fibers. 8. The myofilament arrangement and crossbridge contacts in 15. The energy for muscle contraction is derived from both smooth muscle occur without an organized sarcomere aerobic and anaerobic metabolism; muscle can adapt its structure. function depending on the availability of oxygen. 137

138 PART III MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY uscle tissue is responsible for most of our interactions Mwith the external world. These familiar functions in- Control mode Anatomic Histological clude moving, speaking, and a host of other everyday ac- tions. Less familiar, but no less important, are the internal functions of muscle. It pumps our blood and regulates its Voluntary Skeletal flow, it moves our food as it is being digested and causes the expulsion of wastes, and it serves as a critical regulator of Striated numerous internal processes. Muscle contraction is a cellular phenomenon. The Cardiac shortening of a whole muscle results from the shortening of its individual cells, and the force a muscle produces is the Involuntary sum of forces produced by its cells. Activation of a whole muscle involves activating its individual cells, and muscle Visceral Smooth relaxation involves a return of the cells to their resting state. The study of muscle function must, therefore, include an FIGURE 8.1 Classification of types of muscles. The cate- investigation of the cellular processes that cause and regu- gories overlap in different ways, depending on late muscle contraction. the criteria being used. As the great variety of its functions might imply, muscle is a highly diverse tissue. But in spite of its wide range of anatomic and physiological specializations, there is an un- for example, muscles of the torso involved in maintaining derlying similarity in the way muscles are constructed and an upright posture can be active for many hours without in their mechanism of contraction. This chapter discusses undue fatigue. Other skeletal muscles, such as those in the some fundamental aspects of muscle contraction expressed upper arm, are better adapted for making rapid and forceful in all types of muscle. Chapters 9 and 10 consider the im- movements, but these fatigue rather rapidly when required portant specializations of structure and function that be- to lift and hold heavy loads. long to particular kinds of muscle. Whatever its specialization, skeletal muscle serves as the link between the body and the external world. Much of this interaction, such as walking or speaking, is under voluntary THE ROLES OF MUSCLE control. Other actions, such as breathing or blinking the eyelids, are largely automatic, although they can be con- Different types of muscle fall naturally into categories that sciously suppressed for brief periods of time. All skeletal are related to their anatomic and physiological properties. muscle is externally controlled; it cannot contract without Within each major category are subclassifications that fur- a signal from the somatic nervous system. ther specify differences among the muscle types. As with Not all skeletal muscle is attached to the skeleton. The any classification scheme, some exceptions are inevitable human tongue, for example, is made of skeletal muscle that and some categories overlap. For this reason, three sets of does not move bones closer together. Among mammals, criteria are commonly used. perhaps the most striking example of this exception is the trunk of the elephant, in which skeletal muscles are arranged in a structure capable of great dexterity even Muscles Are Grouped in Three Major Categories though no articulated bones are involved in its movement. Muscles may be grouped according to An important secondary function of skeletal muscle is • Their location in relation to other body structures the production of body heat. This may be desirable, as • Their histological (tissue) structure when one shivers to get warm. During heavy exercise, how- • The way their action is controlled ever, muscle contraction may be a source of excess heat These classifications are not mutually exclusive. that must be eliminated from the body. Throughout the three chapters on muscle, the high- All skeletal muscle has a striated appearance when lighted categories in Figure 8.1 will be the preferred usage. viewed with a light microscope or an electron microscope The alternative categories are still useful, however, because (Fig. 8.2). The regular and periodic pattern of the cross-stri- in some instances they express more precisely the special ations of skeletal muscle relates closely to the way it func- attributes of a certain muscle type. The inconsistencies in tions at a cellular level. classification are likewise useful in describing the charac- teristics of specific muscles. Smooth Muscle: Regulation of the Internal Environment. Of the many processes regulating the internal state of the Skeletal Muscle: Interactions With the External Environ- human body, one of the most important is controlling the ment. As its name implies, skeletal muscle is usually as- movement of fluids through the visceral organs and the cir- sociated with bones of the skeleton. It is responsible for culatory system. Such regulation is the task of smooth mus- large and forceful movements, such as those involved in cle. Smooth muscle also has many individual specializa- walking, running, and lifting heavy objects, as well as for tions that suit it well to particular tasks. Some smooth small and delicate movements that position the eyeballs or muscle, such as that in sphincters, circular bands of muscle allow the manipulation of tiny objects. Some skeletal mus- that can stop flow in tubular organs, can remain contracted cle is specialized for the long-term maintenance of tension; for long periods while using its metabolic energy econom-

CHAPTER 8 Contractile Properties of Muscle Cells 139 Whole muscle contractions are involuntary; the heartbeat arises from 1x within the cardiac muscle and is not initiated by the nerv- ous system. The nervous system, however, does participate in regulating the rate and strength of heart muscle contrac- tions. Chapter 10 considers the special properties of car- diac muscle. Fasciculus 5x Muscles Have Specialized Adaptations of Structure and Function All of the above should emphasize the varied and special- Muscle fiber 500x ized nature of muscle function. Skeletal muscle, with its large and powerful contractions; smooth muscle, with its slow and economical contractions; and cardiac muscle, with its unceasing rhythm of contraction—all represent Myofibril specialized adaptations of a basic cellular and biochemical 10,000x system. An understanding of both the common features and the diversity of different muscles is important, and it is use- ful to emphasize particular types of muscle when investi- gating a general aspect of muscle function. Skeletal muscle Sarcomeres 50,000x is often used as the “typical” muscle for purposes of discus- sion, and this convention is followed in this chapter where appropriate, with an effort to point out those features rela- tive to muscle in general. Important adaptations of the gen- eral features found in specific muscle types are considered Myofilaments in Chapters 9 and 10. 1,000,000x Levels of complexity in the organization of THE FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY AND FIGURE 8.2 skeletal muscle. The approximate amount of ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MUSCLE magnification required to visualize each level is shown above each view. In biology, as in architecture, it can be said that form fol- lows function. Nowhere is this truism more relevant than in the study of muscle. Investigations using light and electron ically. The muscle of the uterus, on the other hand, con- microscopy, x-ray and light diffraction, and other modern tracts and relaxes rapidly and powerfully during birth but is visualization techniques have shown the complex and normally not very active during most of the rest of a highly ordered internal structure of skeletal muscle. Elegant woman’s life. The economical use of energy is one of the mechanical experiments have revealed how this structure most important general features of the physiology of determines the ways muscle functions. smooth muscle. The contraction of smooth muscle is involuntary. Al- Muscle Structure Provides a Key to though contraction may occur in response to a nerve stim- ulus, many smooth muscles are also controlled by circulat- Understanding the Mechanism of Contraction ing hormones or contracted under the influence of local Skeletal muscle is a highly organized tissue (Fig. 8.3). A hormonal or metabolic influences quite independent of the whole skeletal muscle is composed of numerous muscle nervous system. Some indirect voluntary control of smooth cells, also called muscle fibers. A cell can be up to 100
m muscle may be possible through mental processes such as in diameter and many centimeters long, especially in larger biofeedback, but this ability is rare and is not an important muscles. The fibers are multinucleate, and the nuclei oc- aspect of smooth muscle function. cupy positions near the periphery of the fiber. Skeletal While one of the terms describing smooth muscle—vis- muscle has an abundant supply of mitochondria, which are ceral—implies its location in internal organs, much smooth vital for supplying chemical energy in the form of ATP to muscle is located elsewhere. The muscles that control the the contractile system. The mitochondria lie close to the diameter of the pupil of the eye and accommodate the eye contractile elements in the cells. Mitochondria are espe- for near vision, cause body hair to become erect (pilomotor cially plentiful in skeletal muscle fibers specialized for rapid muscles), and control the diameter of blood vessels are all and powerful contractions. examples of smooth muscles that are not visceral. Each muscle fiber is further divided lengthwise into sev- eral hundred to several thousand parallel myofibrils. Elec- Cardiac Muscle: Motive Power for Blood Circulation. tron micrographs show that each myofibril has alternating Cardiac muscle provides the force that moves blood light and dark bands, giving the fiber a striated (striped) throughout the body and is found only in the heart. It appearance. As shown in Figure 8.3, the bands repeat at shares, with skeletal muscle, a striated cell structure, but its regular intervals. Most prominent of these is a dark band

140 PART III MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY Sarcolemma Mitochondrion One sarcomere Z line H zone A band Collagen fibrils I band T- tubule Sarcoplasmic reticulum FIGURE 8.3 The ultrastructure of skeletal muscle, a re- graphs. (From Krstic RV. General Histology of the Mammal. construction based on electron micro- New York: Springer-Verlag, 1984.) called an A band. It is divided at its center by a narrow, entwined about each other (Fig. 8.5). The strands are com- lighter-colored region called an H zone. In many skeletal posed of repeating subunits (monomers) of the globular muscles, a prominent M line is found at the center of the H protein G-actin (molecular weight, 41,700). These slightly zone. Between the A bands lie the less dense I bands. (The ellipsoid molecules are joined front to back into long chains letters A and I stand for anisotropic and isotropic; the bands that wind about each other, forming a helical structure—F- are named for their appearance when viewed with polar- actin (or filamentous actin)—that undergoes a half-turn ized light.) Crossing the center of the I band is a dark struc- every seven G-actin monomers. In the groove formed down ture called a Z line (sometimes termed a Z disk to emphasize the length of the helix, there is an end-to-end series of fi- its three-dimensional nature). The filaments of the I band brous protein molecules (molecular weight, 50,000) called attach to the Z line and extend in both directions into the tropomyosin. Each tropomyosin molecule extends a dis- adjacent A bands. This pattern of alternating bands is re- tance of seven G-actin monomers along the F-actin groove. peated over the entire length of the muscle fiber. The fun- Near one end of each tropomyosin molecule is a protein damental repeating unit of these bands is called a sarco- complex called troponin, composed of three attached sub- mere and is defined as the space between (and including) units: troponin-C (Tn-C), troponin-T (Tn-T), and tro- two successive Z lines (Fig. 8.4). ponin-I (Tn-I). The Tn-C subunit is capable of binding cal- Closer examination of a sarcomere shows the A and I cium ions, the Tn-T subunit attaches the complex to bands to be composed of two kinds of parallel structures tropomyosin, and the Tn-I subunit has an inhibitory func- called myofilaments. The I band contains thin filaments, tion. The troponin-tropomyosin complex regulates the made primarily of the protein actin, and A bands contain contraction of skeletal muscle. thick filaments composed of the protein myosin. Thick Myofilaments. Thick (myosin-containing) fila- Thin Myofilaments. Each thin (actin-containing) fila- ments are also composed of macromolecular subunits ment consists of two strands of macromolecular subunits (Fig. 8.6). The fundamental unit of a thick filament is

CHAPTER 8 Contractile Properties of Muscle Cells 141 Z line Z line globular head portion. The head portion, called the S1 re- gion (or subfragment 1), is responsible for the enzymatic One sarcomere and chemical activity that results in muscle contraction. It A band I band contains an actin-binding site, by which it can interact with the thin filament, and an ATP-binding site that is involved M line H zone in the supply of energy for the actual process of contraction. The chain portion of HMM, the S2 region (or subfragment 2), serves as a flexible link between the head and tail regions. Associated with the S1 region are two loosely attached pep- tide chains of a much lower molecular weight. The essential light chain is necessary for myosin to function, and the reg- ulatory light chain can be phosphorylated during muscle activity and modulates muscle function. Functional myosin molecules are paired; their tail and S2 regions are wound about each other along their lengths, and the two heads (each bearing its two light chains and its own ATP- and actin-binding sites) lie adjacent to each other. The mole- A cule, with its attached light chains, exists as a functional dimer, but the degree of functional independence of the two heads is not yet known with certainty. The assembly of individual myosin dimers into thick filaments involves close packing of the myosin molecules such that their tail regions form the “backbone” of the thick filament, with the head regions extending outward in a helical fashion. A myosin head projects every 60 de- I band Thick and thin filaments A band grees around the circumference of the filament, with each B one displaced 14.4 nm further along the filament. The ef- Nomenclature of the skeletal muscle sar- fect is like that of a bundle of golf clubs bound tightly by FIGURE 8.4 comere. A, The arrangement of the elements the handles, with the heads projecting from the bundle. in a sarcomere. B, Cross sections through selected regions of the The myosin molecules are packed so that they are tail-to- sarcomere, showing the overlap of myofilaments at different parts tail in the center of the thick filament and extend outward of the sarcomere. from the center in both directions, creating a bare zone (i.e., no heads protruding) in the middle of the filament myosin (molecular weight, approximately 500,000), a com- (see Figs. 8.4 and 8.6). plex molecule with several distinct regions. Most of the length of the molecule consists of a long, straight portion, Other Muscle Proteins. In addition to the proteins di- often called the “tail” region, composed of light meromyosin rectly involved in the process of contraction, there are sev- (LMM). The remainder of the molecule, heavy meromyosin eral other important structural proteins. Titin, a large fila- (HMM), consists of a protein chain that terminates in a mentous protein, extends from the Z lines to the bare Tropomyosin Troponin Tn-T Tn-I Tn-C G-actin monomers Regulatory protein complex F-actin filament The assembly of the FIGURE 8.5 thin (actin) filaments Functional actin filament of skeletal muscle. (See text for details.)

142 PART III MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY Myosin molecule Light chains portion of the myosin filaments and may help to prevent overextension of the sarcomeres and maintain the central location of the A bands. Nebulin, a filamentous protein Head portion that extends along the thin filaments, may play a role in sta- Tail portion S2 bilizing thin filament length during muscle development. The protein -actinin, associated with the Z lines, serves to S1 S1 Head Actin- anchor the thin filaments to the structure of the Z line. portion binding Dystrophin, which lies just inside the sarcolemma, par- site ticipates in the transfer of force from the contractile system Myosin in solution to the outside of the cells via membrane-spanning proteins ATP- binding called integrins. External to the cells, the protein laminin site forms a link between integrins and the extracellular matrix. S2 These proteins are disrupted in the group of genetic dis- eases collectively called muscular dystrophy, and their lack or malfunction leads to muscle degeneration and weakness and death (see Clinical Focus Box 8.1). Polymyositis is an inflammatory disorder that produces Myosin filament damage to several or many muscles (Clinical Focus Box 8.2). The progressive muscle weakness in polymyositis usu- ally develops more rapidly than in muscular dystrophy. The assembly of skeletal muscle thick fila- FIGURE 8.6 ments from myosin molecules. (See text for Skeletal Muscle Membrane Systems. Muscle cells, like details.) other types of living cells, have a system of surface and in- Mitochondria Myofibril T tubule openings Longitudinal elements of sarcoplasmic reticulum Terminal cisterna Interior of T tubule Sarcolemma Basal lamina Collagen fibrils T tubule opening FIGURE 8.7 The internal membrane system of skeletal reconstruction is based on electron micrographs. (From Krstic RV. muscle, responsible for communication be- General Histology of the Mammal. New York: Springer-Verlag, tween the surface membrane and contractile filaments. This 1984.)

CHAPTER 8 Contractile Properties of Muscle Cells 143 CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 8.1 Muscular Dystrophy Research with the basal lamina of muscle cells and concerned with The term muscular dystrophy (MD) encompasses a vari- mechanical connections between the exterior of muscle ety of degenerative muscle diseases. The most common of cells and the extracellular matrix. In several forms of mus- these diseases is Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy cular dystrophy, both laminin and dystrophin are lacking (DMD) (also called pseudohypertrophic MD), which is an or defective. X-linked hereditary disease affecting mostly male children A disease as common and devastating as DMD has long (1 of 3,500 live male births). DMD is manifested by pro- been the focus of intensive research. The recent identifica- gressive muscular weakness during the growing years, be- tion of three animals—dog, cat, and mouse—in which ge- coming apparent by age 4. A characteristic enlargement of netically similar conditions occur promises to offer signifi- the affected muscles, especially the calf muscles, is due to cant new opportunities for study. The manifestation of the a gradual degeneration and necrosis of muscle fibers and defect is different in each of the three animals (and also dif- their replacement by fibrous and fatty tissue. By age 12, fers in some details from the human condition). The mdx most sufferers are no longer ambulatory, and death usu- mouse, although it lacks dystrophin, does not suffer the ally occurs by the late teens or early twenties. The most se- severe debilitation of the human form of the disease. Re- rious defects are in skeletal muscle, but smooth and car- search is underway to identify dystrophin-related proteins diac muscle are affected as well, and many patients suffer that may help compensate for the major defect. Mice, be- from cardiomyopathy (see Chapter 10). A related (and cause of their rapid growth, are ideal for studying the nor- rarer) disease, Becker’s muscular dystrophy (BMD), mal expression and function of dystrophin. Progress has has similar symptoms but is less severe; BMD patients of- been made in transplanting normal muscle cells into mdx ten survive into adulthood. Some six other rarer forms of mice, where they have expressed the dystrophin protein. muscular dystrophy have their primary effect on particular Such an approach has been less successful in humans and muscle groups. in dogs, and the differences may hold important clues. A Using the genetic technique of chromosome mapping gene expressing a truncated form of dystrophin, called (using linkage analysis and positional cloning), re- utrophin, has been inserted into mice using transgenic searchers have localized the gene responsible for both methods and has corrected the myopathy. DMD and BMD to the p21 region of the X chromosome, The mdx dog, which suffers a more severe and human- and the gene itself has been cloned. It is a large gene of like form of the disease, offers an opportunity to test new some 2.5 million base pairs; apparently because of its therapeutic approaches, while the cat dystrophy model great size, it has an unusually high mutation rate. About shows prominent muscle fiber hypertrophy, a poorly un- one third of DMD cases are due to new mutations and the derstood phenomenon in the human disease. Taking ad- other two thirds to sex-linked transmission of the defective vantage of the differences among these models promises gene. The BMD gene is a less severely damaged allele of the DMD gene. to shed light on many missing aspects of our understand- The product of the DMD gene is dystrophin, a large pro- ing of a serious human disease. tein that is absent in the muscles of DMD patients. Aber- rant forms are present in BMD patients. The function of dy- References strophin in normal muscle appears to be that of a Burkin DJ, Kaufman SJ. The alpha7beta1 integrin in mus- cytoskeletal component associated with the inside surface cle development and disease. Cell Tissue Res 1999; 296: of the sarcolemma. Muscle also contains dystrophin-re- 183–190. lated proteins that may have similar functional roles. The Tsao CY, Mendell JR. The childhood muscular dystrophies: most important of these is laminin 2, a protein associated Making order out of chaos. Semin Neurol 1999;19:9–23. ternal membranes with several critical functions (see Fig. closely associated with the myofibrils. The ends of the lon- 8.7). A skeletal muscle fiber is surrounded on its outer sur- gitudinal elements terminate in a system of terminal cister- face by an electrically excitable cell membrane supported nae (or lateral sacs). These contain a protein, calsequestrin, by an external meshwork of fine fibrous material. Together that weakly binds calcium, and most of the stored calcium these layers form the cell’s surface coat, the sarcolemma. In is located in this region. addition to the typical functions of any cell membrane, the Closely associated with both the terminal cisternae and sarcolemma generates and conducts action potentials much the sarcolemma are the transverse tubules (T tubules), in- like those of nerve cells. ward extensions of the cell membrane whose interior is con- Contained wholly within a skeletal muscle cell is an- tinuous with the extracellular space. Although they traverse other set of membranes called the sarcoplasmic reticulum the muscle fiber, T tubules do not open into its interior. In (SR), a specialization of the endoplasmic reticulum. The SR many types of muscles, T tubules extend into the muscle is specially adapted for the uptake, storage, and release of fiber at the level of the Z line, while in others they penetrate calcium ions, which are critical in controlling the processes in the region of the junction between the A and I bands. The of contraction and relaxation. Within each sarcomere, the association of a T tubule and the two terminal cisternae at its SR consists of two distinct portions. The longitudinal ele- sides is called a triad, a structure important in linking mem- ment forms a system of hollow sheets and tubes that are brane action potentials to muscle contraction.

144 PART III MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL FOCUS BOX 8.2 Polymyositis zymes are released as muscle breaks down, and in se- Polymyositis is a skeletal muscle disease known as an in- vere cases, myoglobin may be found in the urine. The flammatory myopathy. Children (about 20% of cases) and electrical activity of the affected muscle, as measured by adults may both be affected. Patients with the condition electromyography, may show a characteristic pattern of complain of muscle weakness initially associated with the abnormalities. In some cases, the weakness felt by the proximal muscles of the limbs, making it hard to get up patient is greater than that suggested by the microscopic from a chair or use the stairs. They may have difficulty appearance of the tissue, and evidence indicates that dif- combing their hair or placing objects on a high shelf. Many fusible factors produced by immune cells may have a di- patients have difficulty eating (dysphagia) because of the rect effect on muscle contractile function. While the con- involvement of the muscles of the pharynx and the upper dition is not directly inherited, there is a strong familial esophagus. A small percentage (about one third) of pa- component in its incidence. The cases of polymyositis tients with polymyositis experience muscle tenderness or associated with cancer (a paraneoplastic syndrome) are aching pain; a similar proportion of patients have some in- thought to be due to the altered immune status or tumor volvement of the heart muscle. The disease is progressive antigens that cross-react with muscle. during a course of weeks or months. Several other disorders may present symptoms similar Primary idiopathic polymyositis cases comprise ap- to polymyositis; these include neurological or neuromus- proximately one third of the inflammatory myopathies. cular junction conditions that result in muscle weakness Twice as many women as men are affected. Another one without actual muscle pathology (see Chapter 9). Early third of polymyositis cases are associated with a closely re- stages of muscular dystrophy may mimic polymyositis, al- lated condition called dermatomyositis, symptoms of though the overall courses of the diseases differ consider- which include a mild heliotrope (light purple) rash around ably; the decline in function is much more rapid in un- the eyes and nose and other parts of the body, such as treated polymyositis. The parasitic infection trichinosis can knees and elbows. Nail bed abnormalities may also be produce symptoms of the disease, depending on the present. Still other cases (approximately 8%) are associ- severity of the infection. A large number of commonly ated with cancer present in the lung, breast, ovary, or gas- used drugs may produce the typical symptoms of muscle trointestinal tract. This association occurs mostly in older pain and weakness, and a careful drug history may sug- patients. Finally, about one fifth of polymyositis cases are gest a specific cause. In cases in which dermatomyositis is associated with other connective tissue disorders, such as combined with the typical symptoms of polymyositis, the rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Polymyosi- diagnosis is quite certain. tis can also occur in AIDS, as a result of either the disease Treatment of the disease usually involves high doses of itself or to a reaction to azidothymidine (AZT) therapy. glucocorticoids such as prednisone. Careful follow-up (by Polymyositis is thought to be primarily an autoim- direct muscle strength testing and measurement of serum mune disease. Muscle histology shows infiltration by in- CK levels) is necessary to determine the ongoing effective- flammatory cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, ness of treatment. After a course of treatment, the disease and neutrophils. Muscle tissue destruction, which is al- may become inactive, but relapses can occur, and other most always present, occurs by phagocytosis. The route treatment approaches, such as the use of cytotoxic drugs, of infiltration often follows the vascular supply. There may be necessary. Long-term physical therapy and assis- may be elevated serum levels of enzymes normally pres- tive devices are required when drug therapy is not suffi- ent in muscle, such as creatine kinase (CK). These en- ciently effective. The Sliding Filament Theory of the muscle fiber. It is accomplished by the interaction of Explains Muscle Contraction the globular heads of the myosin molecules (crossbridges, which project from the thick filaments) with binding sites The structure of skeletal muscle provides important clues to on the actin filaments. The crossbridges are the sites where the mechanism of contraction. The width of the A bands force and shortening are produced and where the chemical (thick-filament areas) in striated muscle remains constant, energy stored in the muscle is transformed into mechanical regardless of the length of the entire muscle fiber, while the energy. The total shortening of each sarcomere is only width of the I bands (thin-filament areas) varies directly about 1
m, but a muscle contains many thousands of sar- with the length of the fiber. At the edges of the A band are comeres placed end to end (in series). This arrangement has fainter bands whose width also varies. These represent ma- the effect of multiplying all the small sarcomere length terial extending into the A band from the I bands. The spac- changes into a large overall shortening of the muscle (Fig. ing between Z lines also depends directly on the length of 8.8). Similarly, the amount of force exerted by a single sar- the fiber. The lengths of the thin and thick myofilaments comere is small (a few hundred micronewtons), but, again, remain constant despite changes in fiber length. there are thousands of sarcomeres side by side (in parallel), The sliding filament theory proposes that changes in resulting in the production of considerable force. overall fiber length are directly associated with changes in The effects of sarcomere length on force generation are the overlap between the two sets of filaments; that is, the summarized in Figure 8.9. When the muscle is stretched be- thin filaments telescope into the array of thick filaments. yond its normal resting length, decreased filament overlap This interdigitation accounts for the change in the length occurs (3.65
m and 3.00
m, Fig. 8.9). This limits the

CHAPTER 8 Contractile Properties of Muscle Cells 145 I I Over this small region, further interdigitation does not lead A A A to an increase in the number of attached crossbridges and the force remains constant. At shorter lengths, additional geometric and physical factors play a role in myofilament interactions. Since mus- cle is a “telescoping” system, there is a physical limit to the Least overlap amount of shortening. As thin myofilaments penetrate the A band from opposite sides, they begin to meet in the mid- I I dle and interfere with each other (1.67
m, Fig. 8.9). At the A A A extreme, further shortening is limited by the thick filaments of the A band being forced against the structure of the Z lines (1.27
m, Fig. 8.9). The relationship between overlap and force at short lengths is more complex than that at longer lengths, since Moderate overlap more factors are involved. It has also been shown that at I I very short lengths, the effectiveness of some of the steps in A A A the excitation-contraction coupling process is reduced. These include reduced calcium binding to troponin and some loss of action potential conduction in the T tubule system. Some of the consequences for the muscle as a whole are apparent when the mechanical behavior of mus- Most overlap cle is examined in more detail (see Chapter 9). The multiplying effect of sarcomeres placed FIGURE 8.8 in series. The overall shortening is the sum of Events of the Crossbridge Cycle the shortening of the individual sarcomeres. Drive Muscle Contraction The process of contraction involves a cyclic interaction be- tween the thick and thin filaments. The steps that comprise amount of force that can be produced, since a shorter the crossbridge cycle are attachment of thick-filament length of thin filaments interdigitates with A band thick fil- crossbridges to sites along the thin filaments, production of aments and fewer crossbridges can be attached. Thus, over a mechanical movement, crossbridge detachment from the this region of lengths, force is directly proportional to the thin filaments, and subsequent reattachment of the cross- degree of overlap. At lengths near the normal resting bridges at different sites along the thin filaments (Fig. 8.10). length of the muscle (i.e., the length usually found in the These mechanical changes are closely related to the bio- body), the amount of force does not vary with the degree chemistry of the contractile proteins. In fact, the cross- of overlap (2.25
m and 1.95
m, Fig. 8.10) because of the bridge association between actin and myosin actually func- bare zone (the H zone) along the thick filaments at the cen- tions as an enzyme, actomyosin ATPase, that catalyzes the ter of the A band (where no myosin heads are present). breakdown of ATP and releases its stored chemical energy. Most of our knowledge of this process comes from studies on skeletal muscle, but the same basic steps are followed in all muscle types. 1.95 2.25 In resting skeletal muscle (Fig. 8.10, step 1), the interac- tion between actin and myosin (via the crossbridges) is 1.67 weak, and the muscle can be extended with little effort. When the muscle is activated, the actin-myosin interaction 3.00 becomes quite strong, and crossbridges become firmly at- tached (step 2). Initially, the crossbridges extend at right angles from each thick filament, but they rapidly undergo a change in angle of nearly 45 degrees. An ATP molecule 1.27 bound to each crossbridge supplies the energy for this step. 3.65 This ATP has been bound to the crossbridge in a partially broken-down form (ADP*P i in step 1). The myosin head to which the ATP is bound is called “charged myosin” (M*ADP*P i in step 1). When charged myosin interacts with actin, the association is represented as A*M*ADP*P i (step 2). The partial rotation of the angle of the crossbridge is as- Effect of filament overlap on force genera- FIGURE 8.9 sociated with the final hydrolysis of the bound ATP and re- tion. The force a muscle can produce depends on the amount of overlap between the thick and thin filaments lease of the hydrolysis products (step 3), an inorganic phos- because this determines how many crossbridges can interact ef- phate ion (P i ) and ADP. Since the myosin heads are fectively. (See text for details.) temporarily attached to the actin filament, the partial rota-