13. Neurobiology of Emotion and Motivation

Question 1

What is the fast pathway of cognition and emotion?

Answer 1

Stimulus > thalamus > amygdala

Question 2

What effect does the fast pathway of cognition have?

Answer 2

Autonomic arousal (increase HR and alertness)
Hormonal response

Question 3

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

Modulates autonomic NS, endocrine and limbic systems
Homeostasis
Emotional behaviour

Question 4

What are the behavioural functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

Hunger centre
Satiety centre
Connections to limbic system and prefrontal cortex can affect emotion
Circadian rhythm

Question 5

Where in the hypothalamus in the hunger centre?

Answer 5

Lateral

Question 6

Where in the hypothalamus in the satiety centre?

Answer 6

Ventromedial

Question 7

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Answer 7

Learning
Memory
Recognition of novelty

Question 8

What is the function of the amygdaloid complex?

Answer 8

Endocrine activity
Sexuality
Reproduction
Autonomic response
Emotion

Question 9

Why can emotion affect perception and memory?

Answer 9

Amygdala is connected to the visual cortex and hippocampus, and therefore facilitates perceptual and memory functions

Question 10

What is Kluver-Bucy Syndrome?

Answer 10

Bilateral destruction of anterior temporal lobes, including amygdaloid complex

Question 11

What are the symptoms of Kluver-Bucy Syndrome?

Answer 11

1. Docility
2. Absence of fear response
3. Hyperorality
4. Hypersexuality

Question 12

What are the symptoms of damage to the amygdala?

Answer 12

Decrease in conditioned fear response

Loss of ability to detect and recognise anger in facial and vocal expressions

Question 13

What is the symptom of damage to the hippocampus?

Answer 13

Can’t convert recent memories to long term storage

Question 14

What disease is characterised by neuronal death in the hippocampus?

Answer 14

Alzheimer’s

Question 15

What are the physical signs of Schizophrenia in the brain?

Answer 15

Decreased volume amygdala and hippocampus

Question 16

What is the different about the circuitry of someone with anxiety?

Answer 16

1. Increased amygdala activation in response to angry and fearful faces (positive correlation to severity of anxiety)
2. Lower threshold to amygdala activation by threats
3. Decreased ventrolateral prefrontal cortex activation
   (prefrontal cortex doesn’t decrease amygdala activation efficiently)

Question 17

What is the different about the circuitry of someone with Major Depressive Disorder?

Answer 17

1. Smaller amygdala
2. Multiple structures in the prefrontal cortex are reduced in size
3. Increased amygdala activation in response to fearful and sad faces
4. Increased activation in ventral prefrontal cortex in response to a range of tasks

Question 18

What is motivation?

Answer 18

State that produces a tendency toward some kind of action

Question 19

What pyramid is used to show what humans are motivated towards?

Answer 19

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Question 20

What determines appetite?

Answer 20

Balance between insulin and leptin

Question 21

What nucleus in the hypothalamus controls the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis?

Answer 21

Paraventricular

Question 22

What system is important in addiction?

Answer 22

Mesolimbic Dopamine System

Question 23

What are the functions of dopamine?

Answer 23

Reward pathways
Pleasure and euphoria
Motor function
Compulsion
Preservation
Decision making

Question 24

What is the cause of cravings and withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 24

Abstinence from an addictive substance after repeated administration causes a decrease in dopamine levels

Question 25

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 25

Association between behaviour and a consequence

Question 26

What is classical conditioning also known as?

Answer 26

Pavlovian conditioning

Question 27

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 27

Association between 2 stimuli