- initiate and complete movement

- activates and retrieves motor plans

- Scales movement parameters (Power, speed, direction, amplitude)

- Plays a role in cognitive & emotional aspects of behavior

- Parkinsons patients have impaired basal ganglia functioning

- “little brain”

- center for motor control, specifically coordination, precision, and accurate timing

-Coordination

- Regulate movements generated by cerebral cortex

- Adjust the response of muscle to stretch

- Sub area of Cerebellum

 - posture and equilibirum

 - most primitive part of cerebellum

 - consists of nodules and flocculus

 - connections primarily with vestibular apparatus and vestibular nuclei

 - invovled in control of balance and regulation of head and eye movments

 - sub area of cerebelum

 - muscle tone and ongoing execution of movement

 - control of posture and proximal limbs

 - sub area of cerebellum

 - timing and coordination of skilled movement

 - planning movements and learning of sequences

EX: DARTS - movment is so fast, no adjustments can be made

 - Movement control center (Primary motor cortex) never receives feedback, LOOP IS OPEN

 - NO FEEDBACK = NO ADJUSTMENTS MADE

 - unexpected environment changes unaccounted for

 - LEARNING does not occur, feedback needed

 - one movement command issued

EX: DRIVING - feedback is received so adjustments are made

 - loop is "closed" with feedback

 - environment taken into account

 - takes time to use feedback, disadvantage

 - learning occurs

Motor program in periphery, with auditory, visual and somatosensory feedback

1. feedback can be used DURING movement to correct

2. feedback can be used IN BETWEEN trials to alter the motor program commands

EMPHASIS ON LEARNING

A color is written out in a different color than the word.  Subjects must identify either written or color word.  Conflicting information = info to EXECUTIVE CONTROL

EX:

BLUE RED YELLOW GREEN

 - Describes trade off between SPEED and ACCURACY

 **Bigger target = Higher accuracy = higher movement speed

**Smaller distance b/t targets = Higher accuracy = higher movement speed

- impossible to quickly wag fingers alternating directions

- brain lumps quick movement into one, making fingers move together

- INPHASE = moving together

- ANTIPHASE = moving alternately

 - Time to select response depends on number of responses available and necessary

- selection determines the reaction