10/09-10/15 Flashcards
Broca’s Area
Controls speech production. If it was damaged, the person would have BROKEN (BROCA) control of their speech.
Wernicke’s area
Controls language generation/understanding. If it was damaged, the person would have a WACKY (WERNICKE) understanding of speech - words make no sense.
Brain Plasticity
(neuroplasticity)
Neural modification after damage:
The brain builds new pathways and modifications after mishaps and new experiences. It is more adaptable in early life.
Aphasia
Damage to Broca’s or Wernicke’s area.
Corpus Callosum
Linking the left and right hemispheres
-Neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying info between them.
Split Brain
Severed corpus callosum:
-Procedure often used to treat seizures
-Provides insight into the specialization of the two hemispheres.
Cortex Specialization
Each cortex has a specific role.
Contralateral Hemispheric Organization
- Each hemisphere represents the opposite side of the body
Neurogenesis
Forming new neurons
Consciousness
Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment. Helps us cope with novelty and act in our best interests
Cognitive Neuroscience
Combines the study of brain activity with how we learn, think, remember, and perceive. Researchers are exploring and mapping the conscious functions of the cortex.
Blindsight
A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it.
- Visual Perception vs Visual Action Tracks.
Parallel Processing
Performing multiple tasks at a time.
- Generally used to process well-learned info or solve easy problems.
Serial Processing
Single task at a time, only moving to the next when the current one is completed.
- Generally used to process new information or solve difficult problems.
Circadian Rhythm
Bodies roughly synchronize with the 24-hour cycle of day and night thanks to an internal biological clock.
- Impacts our sleep-wake cycle, temperature, and hormonal and digestive cycles as well. Regulated by the SCN in the hypothalamus.
EEG Patterns
- Delta : Slow, less than 4 Hz, are often large in amplitude, and are a hallmark of deep sleep.
- Theta : 4-7 Hz and can occur during both sleeping and waking states.
- Alpha : 8-13 Hz, are largest over the occipital cortex; associated with quiet, waking states.
- Beta : 14-30 Hz, associated with relaxed but active attention.
- Gamma : relatively fast, ranging from about 30-90 Hz, and signal an active or attentive cortex; concentration.
(LOWER HZ : LESS ACTIVE, MORE SLEEPY)
NREM
Synchronized brain waves, little to no sensation, some dreaming.
- Stage 1 NREM: Transition stage, light sleep; may experience hypnagogic sensations: fantastic images resembling hallucinations; sensations of falling
- Stage 2 NREM: Asleep, but can easily awake. Spindles and K-complexes are characteristic.
1) Spindles: brief 8–14 Hz waves associated with sleep
2) K complex: high-amplitude sharp waves
- Stage 3&4 NREM: Deep sleep; Hard to awaken; Characteristic long delta-waves
Hypnagogic Sensations
False perceptions of falling.
REM
Rapid Eye Movement : Non-synchronized brain waves, vivid dreams, muscle paralysis.
- Beta and Gamma waves characteristic of wakefulness, vivid dreams, characteristic eye movements.
Paradoxical sleep
Your brain says you’re awake, but your body says you’re asleep. paralysis occurs, the dreaming mind is trying to command the body, but GABA and glycine prevent it from happening.
Jet Lag
Condition characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (fatigue and irritability)
- Occurs following long flight through several time zones.
- Results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body.
REM Rebound
A response to sleep deprivation/disturbance where people spend more time in the REM stage.
- Suggests that our body needs REM sleep and will do what it takes to get it.
- Supported by cognitive development of early years and needed for reduced sleep in later life.
Activation Synthesis Theory
The brain electrical signals continue even when you are sleeping.
- Sounds, flashing light, an itch, physical discomfort, that occur while you are unconscious, will send random signals to the brain that will be interpreted by the cortex.
- Dreams are generated by the higher centers of the cortex to explain these signals
Consolidation Theory
Insomnia
Inability to get to sleep, stay asleep or get a good quality sleep.
- Acute insomnia - A brief isolated episode of not being able to fall asleep
- Chronic insomnia - Difficulty falling asleep for a period of tie
- Comorbid insomnia - Insomnia that occurs with another condition such as bipolar disorder
- Maintenance insomnia - The inability to stay asleep.
- Sleeping pills and alcohol aggravates insomnia by suppressing REM
Narcolepsy
Overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.
- Caused by lack of brain chemical called hypocretin, which regulates sleep; can be genetic.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Sleep Apnea
Temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings; tend to be loud snorers.
- Causes : Throat muscles relax, airways collapse/narrow, increased risk with obesity.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine (CPAP): Increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway doesn’t collapse when you breathe in.
Somnambulism
Sleepwalking
- Genetically linked
- Usually harmless. After returning to their bed on their own or with the help of a family member, few sleepwalkers recall their trip the next morning.
- Young children who have the deepest and lengthiest NREM-3 sleep are the most likely to experience somnambulism/sleepwalking.
Microsleep
Dozing off for a few seconds without realizing; moving from alpha waves into a brief period of theta waves.
Cataplexy
This can cause problems ranging from slurred speech to total body collapse, depending on the muscles involved. It’s often triggered by intense emotions such as surprise, laughter, or anger.
- Hallucinations
- Sleep paralysis
Night Terrors
High arousal and appearance of being terrified.
- Unlike nightmares, which occur during REM.
- Usually don’t remember the event after waking up.
- Young children who have the deepest and lengthiest NREM-3 sleep are the most likely to experience night terrors.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding
Enuresis
Bed wetting
Myoclonus
Sudden jerk of a body part occurring during stage one sleep. Everyone has occasional episodes of myoclonus.
Frontal Cortex
Provides memories and concepts that are brought into dreams
Sensory Cortex
Visual and auditory - providing hearing or seeing in your dream
Motor Cortex
Although you usually cannot physically move during a dream, you are experiencing movement in your dreams
Limbic System
Involved in the emotional part of dreams
