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Year 2 Neuro > 6 - thalamus and hypothalamus > Flashcards

6 - thalamus and hypothalamus Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the thalamus found within the brain?

A

It is right in the middle the brain just under the posterior half of the corpus callosum

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2
Q

What separates the thalamus into two?

A

3rd ventricle

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3
Q

What are the 3 components of the diencephalon?

A

thalamus
subthalamus
hypothalamus

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4
Q

What does the thalamus look like in the horizontal plane?

A

the grey matter of the thalamus is seen on either side of the third ventricle

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5
Q

Structurally, what is the thalamus made up of?

A

a collection of nuclei, each of which has a different function in the brain

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6
Q

Describe the connections of the thalamus with the forebrain.

A

Each half of the thalamus has ipsilateral connections with the forebrain

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7
Q

What is the main function of the thalamus?

A

It is a relay centre between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the CNS
Key relay centre to cortisol sensory areas
There is also integration and modification of information as it goes through the thalamus (will enhance or restrict signals)

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8
Q

There is a nucleus within the thalamus for virtually every functional system within the nervous system except _____?

A

Olfaction

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9
Q

Describe how thalamic nuclei are named.

A

They are named based on their location within the thalamus

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10
Q

Where do intralaminar nuclei project to? Be specific

A

various medial lobe structures

—–> amygdala, hippocampus and basal ganglia

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11
Q

What do the amygdala, hippocampus and basal ganglia control?

A
  • amygdala - emotions, fear and anxiety
  • hippocampus - memory
  • basal ganglia - movement
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12
Q

What kind of neurones are in the intralaminar nuclei?

A

glutaminergic neurones (excitatory)

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13
Q

What conditions are associated with loss of neurones from the intralaminar nuclei regions?

A
  • progressive supra nuclear palsy (rare brain disorder causing problems with walking and balance)
  • Parkinsons disease
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14
Q

Where are the reticular nucleus?

A

they form the outer covering of the thalamus

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15
Q

What kind of neurones are in the reticular nuclei?

A

GABAergic neurones (inhibitory)

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16
Q

What do the reticular nuclei connect with?

A

they don’t connect with distal regions (i.e. the cortex), but with other thalamic nuclei

17
Q

How do the reticular nuclei receive inputs?

A

from collaterals of the axons on the neurones in the nuclei

18
Q

What is the function of the reticular nuclei?

A

act to modulate thalamic activity (negative feedback)

19
Q

What important system are the intralaminar and reticular nuclei a part of?

A

ARAS - ascending reticular activating system

20
Q

What does the (ascending) reticular activating system do?

A

involved in maintaining consciousness

the degree of of wakefulness depends on the ARAS activity

21
Q

What is the reticular formation?

A

set of interconnected pathways (the core of grey matter) in the brainstem that send ascending projections to forebrain nuclei (ARAS)

22
Q

which nuclei receive inputs from ARAS?

A

intralaminar and reticular nuclei

23
Q

What can damage to the reticular formation result in?

A

COMA - cannot process information (severe depression of level of consciousness)

24
Q

What is the hypothalamus made up of?

A

a collection of individual nuclei wth distinct functions

25
Q

Describe the location and structure of the hypothalamus.

A

The hypothalamus is just below the thalamus and is divided by the 3rd ventricle
The optic chiasm and pituitary stalk are seen just in front of it

26
Q

What kind of connections does the hypothalamus have with the forebrain?

A

ipsilateral connections

27
Q

What is the hypothalamus involved in?

A

4 F’s of life:

  • fighting
  • fleeing
  • feeding
  • mating
28
Q

What are the 3 main functions of the hypothalamus?

A

It coordinates these different mechanisms to maintain homeostasis:
• Autonomic nervous system
• Endocrine system
• Behaviour (appetite)

29
Q

How does the hypothalamus interact with the autonomic nervous system?

A

neurones in the paraventricular nuclei project to pre-autonomic neurones in the spinal chord

30
Q

How does the hypothalamus interact with the endocrine system?

A

there is stimulation of both the anterior and posterior pituitary

  • PVN and SON directly secrete vasopressin and oxytocin from the neurohypophysis
  • there is stimulation of gland stimulating hormones from the adenohypophysis
31
Q

What does the behavioural control exerted by the hypothalamus include?

A 
Eating and drinking 
Expression of emotion
Sexual behaviour 
Circadian rhythm 
Memory
32
Q

What are the paraventricular nuclei?

A

(small nuclei) that can be activated by physiological changes and regulates many physiological functions

Many PVN neurons project directly to the posterior pituitary where they release oxytocin into the general circulation (supraoptic nuclei release vasopressin)
NOTE: the both do produce small amounts of the other hormone

33
Q

Where does the PVN send projections to? Name the different cells that are involved in this

A
  • autonomic NS
    —–> parvocellular cells
    long neurones to the spinal chord to preganglionic neurones
  • posterior pituitary
    —–> magnocellular cells
34
Q

What are the effects of the stimulating the autonomic NS through parvocellular cells from the PVN?

A

(involved in cardiovascular regulation)

  • vasoconstriction of blood vessels
  • increase in CO
  • affect renal blood flow
35
Q

How is the hypothalamus/PVN involved in appetite/feeding behaviour?

A

(GABAergic/inhibitoru neurones)

  • stimulation = enhanced feeling of fullness (stop eating)
  • inhibition (lesions) = hyperphagia and increase in body weight (food intake increases)
36
Q

What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?

A

controlling the circadian rhythm (synchronises your body function with the time of day)
memory - learning from mistakes

37
Q

What can lesions to the suprachiasmatuc nuclei cause?

A

disrupted sleeping patterns

Year 2 Neuro (16 decks)

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