Background: Cognitive Neuropsychology: The Brain Flashcards
What is a limitation of human cognition,, and why might it be limited
We cannot do two complex tasks at once (safely or successfully): i.e. read and converse, text and drive, or surf the Internet while listening to a lecture.
this is because many neurons inhibit each other
For Example:
In the Visual cortex: When one neuron fires, it suppresses the firing of other nearby neurons. If two neurons that are hooked up in an inhibitory way both fire, then neither neuron can fire as vigorously as it would otherwise. This competitive behavior among neurons limits how much visual information the brain can respond to at the same time.
our limitations more likely reflect the complex way in which neurons talk to each other rather than the depletion of any specific resource.
What is a metabolite
A substance necessary for a living organism to maintain life. such as oxygen and glucose
How many neurons in an average brain
100 billion neurons.
What is the main purpose of visual cortex
the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information
What are the 3 main parts of the brain
- Cerebral hemispheres
- Brain stem
- Cerebellum
The 3 parts can be broken down into 7 main structures - what are these?
A. Cerebral hemispheres B. Midbrain C. Pons D. Medulla E. Thalamus F. Hypothalamus G. Cerebellum
What is the structure of the cerebral hemispheres?
The cerebral cortex, white matter (cerebrum) and subcortical structures (basal ganglia, amygdala, hippocampus)
What is the function of the cerebral hemisphere
They are responsible for our cognitive abilities and conscious experience.
What are the gyri and sulci and where are they located?
Located in the cerebral cortex, the gyri are the bumps/folds, and the sulci are the grooves.
What is the cerebral cortex
It is the outer layer of grey matter and comprised of 4 main lobes
What are the 4 lobes in the cerebral cortex?
Frontal lobe
parietal lobe
temporal lobe
occipital lobe
What functions are associated with the frontal lobe
houses the motor cortex and enables planning, reasoning language, judgement and decision making
What functions are associated with the parietal lobe
Houses the somatosensory cortex and structures involved in visual attention and multisensory convergence.
Helps with movement,
orientation
perception of stimuli.
What functions are associated with the temporal lobe
perception/recognition of auditory stimuli
memory
multisensory integration (eg convergence of vision and audition)
What function is associated with the occipital lobe
Visual Processing
What is the function of basal ganglia?
They are critical to voluntary movement and as such make contact with the cortex, the thalamus, and the brain stem
What is the function of the amygdala and hippocampus?
Forms part of the limbic system and plays an important role in emotion
What is the corpus callosum?
The white matter tracts that connect the cerebral hemispheres.
What is gray matter composed of?
Neuronal cell bodies (or soma) which contain the genes of the cell and are responsible for metabolism (keeping the cell alive) and synthesizing proteins
What is white matter?
White matter is composed of neuronal axons. These are covered with a myelin sheath (fatty support cells that are whitish in color). Axons conduct the electrical signals from the cell for communication.
What are the main components of the brain stem and what structures are these comprised of?
The midbrain
Pons,
Medulla
The Diancephelon (Thalamus and Hypothalamus) is also connected to the brain stem
What are the functions of the brain stem?
Responsible for respiration, heart rate, and digestion.
Sleep-wake cycle, sensory and motor functions, growth and some hormonal behaviours
What are the functions of the Cerebellum
Movement Coordination, Posture Fine motor control Balance and equilibrium Muscle tone
What functions are associated with the pons
Facial expressions eye movement hearing posture respiration sleep swallowing taste bladder control
What are some functions associated with the medulla
breathing
heart rate
blood pressure
What are some functions supported by the limbic system?
emotion behavior motivation long-term memory olfaction (smell)
What is the diencephalon comprised off
Thalamus and Hypothalamus
What is the function of the thalamus
“Command center” of the brain
Processes and relays sensory information
What is phrenology
A now-discredited field of brain study, one of first attempts at studying brain function by correlating bumps and indentations of the skull with specific functions of the brain
What is Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
A technique that applies a brief magnetic pulse to the head that temporarily induces a weak electrical current in the brain.
What is Neuroimaging
It is the study of the brain when it is engaged in a specific task, through various imaging devices.
These include
Positron emission tomography (PET) which records blood flow in the brain, while a participant performs a task
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) which measures changes in oxygen levels in the blood in the brain.
Electroencephalography (EEG), measures the electrical activity of the brain, with millisecond precision. Electrodes are placed on participants head while performing a task.
Diffuse optical imaging (DOI) – in which an infrared light into the brain and measures the light that comes back out. Researchers can then infer from the properties of the collected light what regions in the brain were engaged by the task..
Because the spatial and temporal resolution of each tool varies, strongest evidence for what role a certain brain area serves comes from converging evidence
