biological basis for mental illness Flashcards
A separate structure of the neuron that is composed of white matter; the main signal-conducting unit of the neuron cell, whose responsibility is to transmit information away from the cell body.
axon
(BBB) A three-wall barrier that serves to isolate brain circulation from systemic circulation and governs the quality of and rapidity with which substances in the blood penetrate into the brain.
blood brain barrier
(CNS) System consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating, processing, and coordinating sensory data and motor commands; decides how to respond to what happens in the world based on the information that is provided by the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and further relies on the PNS to send appropriate responses to the various parts of the body.
central nervous system
The largest portion of the brain, controlling intelligence, motor, and sensory functions.
cerebrum
The fastest and most predominant method of neurotransmission; in classic neurotransmission, signals travel from one neuron directly to the next neuron.
classic neurotransmission
Lobe of the brain that is responsible for executive function and personality; it maintains focused attention and organizes thinking, planning, speech, and motor activities.
frontal lobe
The study of heredity and variation in gene expression.
genetics
The study of gene function related to health and illness.
genomics
The universally accepted method for assessing a patient’s level of consciousness and to measure or predict the progression of the patient’s condition.
Glasgow Coma Scale
The working area of the brain containing synapses and neuronal connections, consisting of nerve cell bodies and dendrites.
gray matter
Bilateral structures located in the fissure between the temporal lobe and the parietal and front lobes; involved in a variety of cognitive processes, pain processing, and cholinergic functioning.
insular lobes
Connectors of sensory and motor (afferent and efferent) neurons in the central nervous system that exchange messages, interpret, communicate, and play a role in the thought process, learning, perception, and memory.
internuerons
The hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala; essential to the regulation and modulation of emotions and memory.
limbic system
Also called efferent neurons, nerve cells that carry neural signal messages from inside the brain, the central nervous system, back out to the PNS, and again through the spinal nerves.
motor neurons
A single nerve cell.
neuron
A chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
nerurotransmitter
Area of the brain primarily responsible for vision and visual memory, as well as reading, language formation, and reception of vestibular, acoustic, and tactile stimuli.
occipital lobe
(OP) Neuromodulators that modify the action of neurotransmitters and are naturally designed by the body to relieve pain, affect perception of pain, enhance feelings of well-being, produce pleasurable feelings, lift mood, promote tissue regeneration, and enhance the immune system.
opioid peptide receptors
Regulates primary sensory areas, including pain, taste, touch, proprioception (location of the body in space), and the sensation of temperature. The processes of reading and writing also occur in the parietal lobe, which also helps maintain focused attention and processes certain motor activities, including attention and perception of spatial relations and registration of acts of aggression.
parietal lobe
Portion of the nervous system that innervates the cranial nerves III, VII, IX, and X; regulates automatic functions; and is responsible for “resetting” the autonomic nervous system after activation.
parasympathetic nervous sytem
(PNS) The nerves and ganglia located outside the central nervous system; also includes the cranial nerves just outside the brain stem. The PNS acts as a relay communication network, bringing sensory information to the body.
peripheral nervous sytem
A radioactive, computer-imaged scan of the brain, breast, heart, or lung that produces a three-dimensional image of the glucose uptake of the tissue area scanned; often done in conjunction with a CT scan.
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Gain that results from an immediate benefit to the individual; specifically, relief from anxiety.
primary gain
A symptom of mental illness characterized by distorted perceptions of reality, marked changes in personality, and greatly impaired functioning.
psychosis
A protein molecule (on the postsynaptic neuron) that receives and responds to a neurotransmitter ligand, a drug ligand (or medication), or other substances such as hormones and antigens.
receptor
A method of neurotransmission in which the postsynaptic cell communicates with the presynaptic neuron.
retrograde nuerotransmission
A type of gain or benefit that occurs when an individual experiences indirect benefit from having a disorder or condition; indirect benefits may include financial compensation, disability benefits, personal services and attention, and/or escape from work or a difficult responsibility.
secondary gain
(or afferent neuron) A type of nerve cell that carries neural signal information from the periphery (outside the body through the peripheral nervous system) up to the central nervous system through the spinal nerves.
sensory neuron
System that innervates the thoracolumbar spine and rapidly mobilizes body systems during activity (most especially during stress), acting in sympathy with the body.
sympathetic nervous system
The junction where one bulb of the presynaptic axon terminal makes contact with the postsynaptic dendrite receptor membrane site of another nerve.
synapse
Lobes of the brain located just above the ears, which process auditory and olfactory senses. Emotion, learning, and memory circuits are here as well. This area gives emotional tone to memories and is involved in making moral judgments.
temporal lobes
A gain or benefit achieved by someone other than the patient as a result of the patient’s illness.
tertiary gain
Neurotransmission occurring (without a synapse) to an adjacent neuron by process of diffusion; occurs when nearby receptors pick up the neurotransmitter and perform a weaker signal.
volume neurotransmission
The myelinated axons of neurons.
white matter
