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Biological basis of behaviors Flashcards

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GRE® Vocabulary flashcards
1
Q

What is neuroanatomy?

A

Neuroanatomy relates to the parts and functions of individual nerve cells, known as neurons.

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2
Q

What is a neuron?

A

A neuron is an individual nerve cell.

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3
Q

Name the parts of a neuron.

A
  1. dendrites
  2. cell body/soma
  3. axon hillock
  4. axon
  5. myelin sheath
  6. nodes of Ranvier
  7. terminal buttons
  8. neurotransmitters
  9. synapse/synaptic cleft
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4
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

dendrite

A
  • branch-like arms attached to the cell body

- receive information from other neurons.

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5
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

cell body/soma

A
  • the “brain” of the neuron

- making up gray matter, and containing the nucleus.

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6
Q

axon hillock

A

connects the cell body to the axon

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7
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

axon

A
  • tube-like structures

- transmit information (via electrical impulse) from the cell body to the terminal buttons.

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8
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

myelin sheath

A
  • fatty layer around some axons
    • insulates the electric impulse and allows information to travel faster
    • so signals travel just to the intended neuron(s).
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9
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

terminal buttons

A
  • where information from the axon ends up

- contain neurotransmitters.

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10
Q

What are synonyms for “terminal buttons”?

A

end buttons
synaptic knobs
axon terminals
terminal branches of axons

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11
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

neurotransmitters

A
  • chemicals in the axon terminals that attempt to communicate with dendrites on other neurons
  • “fit” with dendritic receptor sites to continue to the next neuron.
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12
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

synapse

A
  • also called the synaptic cleft; between pre synaptic neuron and post synaptic neuron
  • gap between terminal button of one neuron and the dendrites of the next.
    -
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13
Q

Chemicals travel within the cells, but are transmitted to other neurons electrically. TRUE or FALSE?

A

FALSE

  • electric signal within cells
  • chemical signal at synapse
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14
Q

Can a neuron fire at different magnitudes?

A

No

  • fire completely at depolarization threshold
  • all or none principle
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15
Q

How is an action potential (or nerve impulse) created?

A
  • charged chemicals enter the dendrite and then the soma
  • soma is initially slightly negative charged
  • some gets depolarized enough –> action potential
  • electric information fired down the axon to the terminal button
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16
Q

Some __________ are excitatory, prodding the cell body to fire, and others are __________, which prevent the creation of a cell’s action potential.

A

neurotransmitters; inhibitory

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17
Q

Describe the path of information within a neuron from beginning to end.

A

Dendrite (chemical signals)⇒cell body (become electrical signals)⇒axon⇒axon terminal (become chemical signals)⇒synapse⇒dendrite of next neuron

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18
Q

When neurotransmitters from the axon terminal are released, they attempt to connect with __________ on the postsynaptic dendrite.

A

receptor sites

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19
Q

threshold

A

the level of depolarization of soma to produce an action potential

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20
Q

What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it?
acetylcholine

A

Neuro-function: memory learning
Somatic Function: muscle contraction coordination and motor movement
Problem: Alzheimer’s disease linked to acetylcholine deficit

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21
Q

What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it?
endorphins

A

Function: pleasure and pain control
Problem: endorphins are released when pleasure areas of the brain are stimulated, so addictions are linked to endorphins

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22
Q

What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it?
dopamine

A

Neuro function: “reward”, pleasure and motivation
Function: motor movement and alertness
Problems: Parkinson’s disease (dopamine deficiency) and schizophrenia (excessive dopamine), linked to addiction
Dopamineis a monoamine, and part of the catecholamine class.

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23
Q

serotonin

A

Function: mood control, sleep, dream, appetite
Problem: deficiency linked to clinical depression
Serotonin is a monoamine, and part of the indolamine class.

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24
Q

What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons?

A

Afferent neurons, or sensory neurons, carry informationtothe brain.
Efferent neurons, or motor neurons, carry informationfromthe brain to the body.

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25
Q

What are the subdivisions of the nervous system?

A 
central nervous system
 - brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
 - somatic
 - autonomic
    - sympathetic
    - parasympathetic
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26
Q

What is the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system?

A

central nervous system: nerves in bones.

peripheral nervous system: nerves not encased in bone.

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27
Q

When you want to answer a question in class, what part of the nervous system controls your ability to raise your hand?

A

somaticnervous system – muscle movements.

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28
Q

When your stomach begins to growl before lunch, what part of the nervous system is activated?

A

autonomicnervous system

- controls the parts of our bodies that work automatically

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29
Q

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

A

Responds to stress -> fight or flight

  • accelerates what’s immediately needed
    • heart rate, pupil dilation, breathing, sweating
  • slows
    • digestion, immunity
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30
Q

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Counteract sympathetic nervous system

active during also “sex, sleep, sustenance” and recovery

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31
Q

How did Phineas Gage contribute to the field of psychology?

A

Personality changed after frontal lobe damage

Leads to the study of the area of the brain where emotion is regulated

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32
Q

What are ways in which psychologists study the functions of different brain areas?

A 
accidents and lesions
electroencephalogram (EEG)
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Positron Emisson Tomography (PET)
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
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33
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

lesions

A
  • Lesions by damage

- study by the impaired function

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34
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Detects brain waves in different states of consciousness

Used largely in sleep research

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35
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

Computerized Axial Tomography

A

3-D x-ray images of the brain;

structures known by different densities of the parts

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36
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A

uses magnetic fields to image brain density by different molecules vibrate differently, thus structures shown
No exposure to harmful radiation

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37
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

Positron Emission Tomography

A
  • Radioactive substances injected
  • Detect for the concentration in different parts to glean the blood flows
  • Studies brain activities
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38
Q

Describe the following method of studying the brain:

Functional MRI

A
  • magnetic fields to image the density of hemoglobin in different parts of the brain
  • see blood flow during cognitive tasks -> brain activity
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39
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Neuro function: arousal, fight/flight

Somatic function: Heart, rate, BP, Appetite

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40
Q
  • connects the brain to the spinal cord
  • a primitive part
  • control basic functions
    • respiration
    • heart rate and BP
A

myelencephalon/medulla

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41
Q
  • connects fore brain, midbrain and hindbrain

- helps control facial expression

A

pons

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42
Q
  • the “little brain”
  • looks like a smaller brain on the underside of our brain
  • partially responsible for mind-body connection (habitual muscle movements)
A

cerebellum

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43
Q
  • located in the midbrain
  • believed to be the oldest part
  • controls bodily arousal and ability to focus
A

reticular formation

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44
Q

What are the parts of the brain known as the limbic system, and what function does the limbic system serve?

A
  1. thalamus
  2. hypothalamus
  3. hippocampus
  4. amygdala
  5. septal area

The limbic system is involved in “fight, flight, feeding, and fornication.”

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45
Q
  • the “sensory way station”, a relay

- receives info from spinal cord and directs to parts of the forebrain for further processing

A

thalamus

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46
Q
  • controls the endocrine system

- metabolic functions: libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst

A

hypothalamus

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47
Q
  • convert short-term memories to long-term memories
A

hippocampus

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48
Q
  • controls emotion and fear
A

amygdala

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49
Q

Function of amygdala

A
  • controls emotion and fear
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50
Q

hippocampus

A
  • convert short-term memories to long-term memories
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51
Q

hypothalamus

A
  • controls the endocrine system

- metabolic functions: libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst

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52
Q

thalamus

A
  • the “sensory way station”, a relay

- receives info from spinal cord and directs to parts of the forebrain for further processing

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53
Q

_______ is involved in “fight, flight, feeding, and fornication.”

A

limbic system

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54
Q

reticular formation

A
  • controls bodily arousal and ability to focus
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55
Q

pons

A
  • connects fore brain, midbrain and hindbrain

- helps control facial expression

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56
Q

myelencephalon/medulla

A
  • connects the brain to the spinal cord
  • a primitive part
  • control basic functions
    • respiration
    • heart rate and BP
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57
Q

Why are our brains wrinkled?

A

The surface of the brain is covered with neurons, and wrinkles (or fissures) increase the surface area so more neurons can connect with one another to transmit more information.

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58
Q

If you want to kick a soccer ball with your right foot, which hemisphere of the brain controls this, and what principle explains it?

A

The left hemisphere controls the motor function on the right half of the body and vice versa. This is calledcontralateral control.

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59
Q

Split-brain patients have had their __________ severed, usually to treat epilepsy. What two doctors pioneered this surgical procedure?

A

corpus callosum

Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga pioneered this procedure.

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60
Q

the nerve bundle that runs through the middle of the brain, connecting the hemispheres.

A

corpus callosum

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61
Q

corpus callosum

A

the nerve bundle that runs through the middle of the brain, connecting the hemispheres.

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62
Q

It has been suggested that the right hemisphere of the brain is active during spatial and creative tasks, while the left is activated during logic, spoken language, and sequential tasks. What are the two terms used to describe the differences between the right and left hemispheres?

A

brain lateralizationandhemispheric specialization

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63
Q

There are four lobes in the brain. Name them.

A
  1. frontal
  2. parietal
  3. occipital
  4. temporal
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64
Q
  • the brain’s executive functioning center.
  • responsible for reasoning and emotional control.
  • – long term plans,
  • – regulate our emotions,
  • – consider consequences.
A

Prefrontal cortex

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65
Q

What area of the brain allows us to move our muscles to produce speech?

A

Broca’s area

- located in the left frontal lobe in most right-handers

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66
Q

The top of the motor cortex controls voluntary muscle movements in what area of the body?

A

The feet and toes
the back of the frontal lobe.
The top of the body is controlled by the bottom of the motor cortex.

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67
Q

The top of the body is controlled by ___

A

bottom of the motor cortex

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68
Q

The top of the motor cortex located at ___

A

the back of the frontal lobe.

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69
Q

What is the area in the anterior frontal lobe called, and what is it responsible for?

A

Prefrontal cortex

  • the brain’s executive functioning center.
  • responsible for reasoning and emotional control.
  • – long term plans,
  • – regulate our emotions,
  • – consider consequences.
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70
Q

Located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex, the __________ receives touch sensations from the body.

A

sensory cortex, or somato-sensory cortex

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71
Q

Why is the area where vision is processed counterintuitive?

A

occipital lobe,

  • at the very back of the brain,
  • far from the eyes
  • The left and right halves of the visual cortex process information from the same halves of the retinas (meaning processing is lateralized).
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72
Q

Damage to what area of the temporal lobe would result in an inability to understand written or spoken language?

A

Wernicke’s area

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73
Q

What sensory modality is the temporal lobe responsible for processing?

A

hearing/audition

Sound coming in one ear is processed by both hemispheres of the brain.

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74
Q

Explain brain plasticity.

A

Neuronal connections strengthen or weaken to adapt to needed functions to individuals
More pronounced if there’s damage to other areas on the brain

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75
Q

Why is the endocrine system important to the field of psychology?

A

It secretes hormones that are part of our psychological processes.
Adrenaline by adrenal glands –> fight/flight
Ovaries / Testes produced estrogen/testosterone –> gender differences

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76
Q

Who did the Twins studies?

A

Thomas Bouchard

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77
Q

Who was Thomas Bouchard and why was his research important?

A

Bouchard studied identical twins raised in different families versus twins raised in the same home –> nature or nurture argument

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78
Q

Twin and Adoption Research and the nature/nurture argument:

A
  • similarities in personality and IQ to suggest a nature component
  • raised in different homes also showed enough differences to suggest that nurture is a major factor in development of intelligence and personality
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79
Q

Explain the function of the following part of a neuron:

nodes of Ranvier

A

the gap between adjacent myelinated segments on the axon

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80
Q

What are the parts of the mesencephalon (midbrain)?

A

tectum and the tegmentum.

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81
Q
  • includes the inferior and superior colliculi

- controls vision and audition.

A

the tectum

82
Q

What is the purpose of the tectum?

A

The tectum includes the inferior and superior colliculi

It controls audition and vision.

83
Q
  • home to the remainder of the reticular formation

- helps control the sensorimotor system

A

The tegmentum

84
Q

The tegmentum

A
  • home to the remainder of the reticular formation

- helps control the sensorimotor system

85
Q

What does gray matter consist of?

A

cell bodies and dendrites

86
Q

What makes up white matter in the brain?

A

myelin sheathing
axon bundles
nerve fibers

87
Q

What are the divisions of the forebrain?

A
  1. diencephalon

2. telencephalon

88
Q

The posterior part of the forebrain, the diencephalon, contains what two brain parts?

A

the thalamus and the hypothalamus

89
Q

The frontal portion of the forebrain, the telencephalon, contains what parts of the brain?

A
  1. the limbic system
  2. hippocampus
  3. amygdala
  4. cingulate gyrus
90
Q

The corticospinal tract, also known as the pyramidal tract, connects what?

A

the brain and the spine

91
Q

controls the other glands within the hormonal and endocrine systems

A

pituitary gland

92
Q

What does the pituitary gland do?

A

controls the other glands within the hormonal and endocrine systems

93
Q

What part of the brain is implicated in the direction of attention and emotion?

A

the cingulate gyrus

94
Q

direction of visual gaze and direction of visual attention to stimuli

A

superior colliculi control

95
Q

superior colliculi

A

direction of visual gaze and direction of visual attention to stimuli

96
Q

receive auditory information

A

inferior colliculi

97
Q

inferior colliculi

A

receive auditory information

98
Q

These three sheets of tissue comprise the meninges

A

the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid

99
Q

What do the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid make up and what do they do?

A

These three sheets of tissue comprise the meninges, which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

100
Q

How does the blood-brain barrier help protect the brain from toxic intruders?

A
  • tightly-formed group of endothelial cells in blood vessels

- larger, toxic molecules in blood stream can’t enter the brain

101
Q

What are ventricles?

A

Fluid-filled cavities, a “cushion”, that protects the brain from shock.

102
Q

caudate nucleus
putamen
globus pallidus
substantia nigra

A

basal ganglia

103
Q

What do the basal ganglia include?

A

caudate nucleus
putamen
globus pallidus
substantia nigra

104
Q

What is the function of the basal ganglia, and what can happen when they are not working properly?

A
  • help control motor function

- malfunctioning -> Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases

105
Q

What are the parts of the cerebral cortex?

A 
frontal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe
temporal lobe
neocortex
gyri and sulci
106
Q

How many layers does the neocortex have?

A

six

107
Q

What are the bumps and ridges in the brain called?

A

Bumps: Gyrus (plr: Gyri)
Ridges: Sulcus (plr: Sulci; the furrows and fissures)

108
Q

What are the parts of the brain called that are linked with certain responses to stimuli?

A

cortical association areas

109
Q

impairment in ability to start and organize voluntary movements (no muscle paralysis involved)

A

apraxia

110
Q

Explain the dysfunction:

apraxia

A

impairment in ability to start and organize voluntary movements (no muscle paralysis involved)

111
Q

difficulty in recognition of objects

A

agnosia

112
Q

Explain the dysfunction:

agnosia

A

difficulty in recognition of objects

113
Q

impairment in language (can be impaired understanding or production)

A

aphasia

114
Q

Explain the dysfunction:

aphasia

A

impairment in language (can be impaired understanding or production)

115
Q

alexia

A

inability to read

116
Q

inability to read

A

alexia

117
Q

inability to write

A

agraphia

118
Q

Explain the dysfunction:

agraphia

A

inability to write

119
Q

What is the result of Broca’s aphasia?

A
  • damage to Broca’s area

- can understand language but can’t produce it

120
Q

Damage to Wernicke’s area creates what deficiency?

A
  • can’t comprehend others

- produce fluent but meaningless speech

121
Q

Explain the dysfunction:

hyperphagia

A
  • excessive overeating

- linked with damage to ventromedial hypothalamus

122
Q

Following damage to or removal of the cerebral cortex, what behavioral side effect might occur?

A
  • intense, but not clearly directed rage

- called decorticate rage(or sham rage)

123
Q

What type of tools are used to implant electrodes in the brains of animals?

A

stereotaxic instruments

124
Q

What floral term is used to describe the beginnings of plasticity in children?

A
  • “Blooming and pruning”

- new neural connections grow; some others die by survival importance

125
Q

What holds neurotransmitters as they are transported to the synaptic cleft?

A

synaptic vesicles (or synaptic vessels)

126
Q

In order for an action potential to occur, ions must permeate what?

A

the cell membrane

127
Q
  1. Schwann cells
  2. oligodendrocytes
  3. astrocytes
  4. microglia
A

four types of glial cells

128
Q

What is the function of glial cells?

A
  • supporting cells to neurons
  • provide
  • — nutrition,
  • — materials
  • — chemical signals
129
Q

What are the four types of glial cells?

A
  1. Schwann cells
  2. oligodendrocytes
  3. astrocytes
  4. microglia
130
Q

____________ form myelin in the central nervous system, while __________ form myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

A

oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells

131
Q

What is the point in transduction when the neuron is negatively charged and an action potential has not yet occurred?

A

resting potential

132
Q

What allows the postsynaptic cell’s ion channels to open?

A

postsynaptic receptors must recognize the presence of neurotransmitters

133
Q

What are the types of postsynaptic potentials?

A
  1. excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)

2. inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)

134
Q

excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)

A
  • depolarize a cell, -

- increasing the likelihood of the cell reaching threshold for an action potential

135
Q

inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)

A
  • hyperpolarize a cell,

- decreasing the likelihood of the cell reaching the depolarization threshold.

136
Q

What is saltatory conduction?

A

when an action potential jumps from one node of Ranvier to the next

137
Q

After an action potential, a cell is unable to create another action potential during the _______. It will then enter the ________, where it will respond only to strong stimuli.

A

absolute refractory period; relative refractory period

138
Q

After release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft, what happens to the unused neurotransmitter?

A
  • degradation: broken down by enzymes and removed

- reuptake: transported back into vesicles and recycled

139
Q

What are the two most important amino acids in the brain?

A

glutamate

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

140
Q

What is the function of glutamate?

A
  • the most common EXCITATORY neurotransmitter; activates neurons
  • Neurotoxic in excess –> neurons to fire too quickly
141
Q

What is the function of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)?

A
  • most common INHIBITORY neurotransmitter

- balance out glutamate for brain to achieve stasis

142
Q

What do agonists do?

A
  • act like neurotransmitters to bind to receptors
  • increase neurotransmitters effect
  • Xanax: a GABA agonist
143
Q

What do antagonists do?

A
  • prevent action of a neutrotransmitter
  • decrease its effect
  • Botox: acetylcholine antagonist
144
Q

A fetus will develop into a male if the _________ is present.

A

H-Y antigen

145
Q

During puberty, males release _________and females release __________ to cause genital maturation and development of secondary sex characteristics.

A

androgens; estrogen

146
Q

What is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, occurring during puberty, referred to as?

A

menarche

147
Q

The menstrual cycle is moderated by changes in which hormone levels?

A

estriadol
progesterone
luteinizing hormone (LH)
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

148
Q

How do the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) differ in males and females?

A

In females, LH and FSH govern ovulation

In males, LH and FSH govern sperm and testosterone production

149
Q

What are the principal effects of oxytocin?

A
  • stimulates contraction of uterine muscles during childbirth
  • stimulates release of breast milk
  • linked to pair bonding
150
Q

What are the principal effects of vasopressin?

A

Regulates BP (increases it)

  • stimulates water reabsorption of kidneys
  • stimulates blood vessel constriction
151
Q

What signals the thyroid to release hormones?

A

thyroid-stimulating hormone

152
Q

What does adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) do?

A

controls the release of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex hormones

153
Q

What are the two main categories of sleep?

A

REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM (or slow-wave sleep)

154
Q

How long does it take to get through non-REM sleep?

A

roughly 90 minutes

155
Q

Describe stage 0 sleep.

A

Before sleep

  • relaxing and closing eyes
  • characterized by alpha waves at low levels
156
Q

Describe stage 1 sleep.

A
  • slow heart rate
  • reduced muscle tension
  • irregular frequency of EEG waves
  • eyes roll
    decreased response to stimuli
  • theta waves
157
Q

Describe stage 2 sleep.

A

heart rate, body temperature, and respiration decline, sleep spindles and K complexes are present in EEG

158
Q

What are sleep spindles?

A

bursts of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep

159
Q

What are K complexes?

A

K complexes are sharp drops in EEG potential during stage 2

160
Q

Describe stage 3 sleep.

A

sleep spindles are less common and delta waves (large amplitude, very slow waves) emerge

161
Q

Describe stage 4 sleep.

A
  • delta waves are present at least half of the time,
  • sleep is the deepest,
  • growth hormones are secreted
162
Q

What are characteristics of REM sleep?

A
  • dreams
  • beta waves (neural desynchrony; similar to awake)
  • muscles unresponsive and flaccid
  • interspersed with non-REM
  • roughly 20% of sleep
  • lasts b/w 15 and 60 min
163
Q

Who gets more REM sleep: someone who gets plenty of sleep each night or sleep-deprived graduate students?

A

sleep-deprived

164
Q

How many hours do babies sleep? How many hours do the elderly sleep (on average)?

A

Infants: 16 hours
Elderly: 6 hours
REM more pronounced in babies (50%)
Decreases to 20~25% for Elderly

165
Q

What are interneurons?

A
  • Neurons between other neurons
  • associated with reflexes
  • imperative for survival
166
Q

What allows reflexes to occur quickly instead of having to be routed through the brain?

A

neural networks known asreflex arcs.

167
Q

the study of evolutionary development

A

phylogeny

168
Q

Define:

phylogeny

A

the study of evolutionary development

169
Q

What are the subdivisions of the hypothalamus?

A
  1. lateral hypothalamus
  2. ventromedial hypothalamus
  3. anterior hypothalamus
170
Q

The hypothalamus uses ________ to regulate the balance of water in the body, a process known as _______.

A

osmoreceptors; osmoregulation

171
Q

What is the function of the lateral hypothalamus?

A

it controls hunger; lesions can result inaphagia, or a refusal to eat

172
Q

What is the function of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)?

A
  • signaling satiety

- Lesions lead to hyperphagia

173
Q

What is the function of the anterior hypothalamus?

A
  • controls sexual behavior

- lesion leads to sexual dysfunction

174
Q

Along with the nucleus accumbens, the _______ is a major pleasure center of the brain.

A

septal area (or septum)

175
Q

What is Klüver-Bucy syndrome?

A

Bilateral lesions to the amygdala:

  • docility
  • hypersexuality
  • hyperphagia
  • hyperorality
176
Q

What is another name for the visual cortex?

A

thestriate cortex

177
Q

When the sensations from one side of the body communicate with the same side of the cortex, they are communicating _______.

A

ipsilaterally

178
Q

ipsilaterally

A

the sensations from one side of the body communicate with the same side of the cortex

179
Q

What are the three most abundant catecholamines in the body?

A

Also classified as monoamines:

  • dopamine
  • epinephrine
  • norepinephrine
180
Q

What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?

A

Caused by excessive dopamine

BUT: patients who have normal levels of dopamine can also have schizophrenia

181
Q

What two mood disorders are linked to norepinephrine imbalance?

A

depression and mania

182
Q

What is the synthetic form of dopamine sometimes used to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease?

A

L-dopa

183
Q

Antidepressants like Prozac are called what?

A

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

184
Q

What is the monoamine theory of depression?

A

Excessive or inadequate monoamines are linked with mania and depression

185
Q

What are peptides?

A

two or more amino acids combined, e.g.,

  • endorphins (natural painkillers)
  • enkephalins
186
Q

What behaviors are associated with epinephrine?

A

fight or flight

187
Q

What is another terms for sedative-hypnotic drug?

A

depressants

188
Q

What are some examples of sedative-hypnotic drugs, and what neurotransmitter do they affect?

A 
Used as tranquilizers or sedatives
- alcohol 
- benzodiazepines(like Valium) 
- barbituates
They enhance GABA
189
Q

What is Korsakoff’s Syndrome?

A
  • thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency from malnutrition and chronic alcoholics
  • causes anterograde amnesia
190
Q

What are behavioral stimulants?

A
  • reduce fatigue or increase motor functioning

- increase receptors for monoamines and serotonin

191
Q

What are some examples of behavioral stimulants, and what are they used for?

A

amphetamines –> narcolepsy
antidepressants –> to improve sleep patterns, increase activity, and elevate mood
methylphenidate(Ritalin) –> treat attention deficit disorder

192
Q

What are the three main types of antidepressants?

A
  1. tricyclics
  2. monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
  3. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
193
Q

How do tricyclic antidepressants work?

A

they prevent the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin; so more of them will be in the synapse

194
Q

How do monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors work?

A

they prevent MAO from breaking down norepinephrine and serotonin; so more of those neurotransmitters are in the synapse.

195
Q

What is the purpose of antipsychotic drugs?

A
  • prevent dopamine from binding to postsynaptic membrane, reducing its effects, thus lower:
  • -> hallucinations
  • -> agitation
  • -> delusions
196
Q

What are some disorders that can be treated with antipsychotics?

A 
schizophrenia
bipolar disorder
delusional disorder
psychotic depression
Tourette's syndrome
dementia in the elderly
197
Q

What antipsychotic is used frequently to treat bipolar disorder?

A

lithium

198
Q

What are common narcotics (or opiates) and what do they do?

A

opium, heroin, and morphine; they are natural painkillers

199
Q

What is ablation?

Ablation

A
  • surgically induced brain lesions

- also called: extirpation

200
Q

What is dementia?

A

a loss of cognitive functioning (including disorientation and memory failure)

GRE Psy (7 decks)

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