BLA Flashcards
Localisation of Function
Refers to the idea that different behaviou, emotions and thoughs originate in the brain in specific locations. -Different parts carrying out different functions -Damage to a specific part of the brain results in a loss in its corresponding function Joseph Gall (1758-1828) Phrenology- bumps indicated brain functions
Bouchard et al (1990)
Twin study- Correlational! 88% 69% Mostly genetic inheritance/disposition
Correlational Study
Cannot establish a cause and effect as it is a gathering of information that seems to have concording information
Effects of Acetylcholine in brain
Martinez and Kesner (1991) -Rats in the maze -3 groups, 2 drugged one controlled one blocked the other delayed the reuptake -Rats with the delayed reuptake drug did better -Acetylcholine is a key factor in creating memory and development of memory formations Study shows that ACh is important in memory since the rats showed different memory capacity depending on ACh levels. -Laboratory experiment: ACh is one factor that address memory but the neurobiology of memory is very complex
Maguire et al (2000)
Supported the idea that dendritic branching takes place through experience The taxi drivers had a thicker prefrontal lobe/cortex than the bus drivers Brain Plasticity! •London Taxi drivers study
The Hippocampus**
The memory place The case study of HM indicated that the hippocampus is a temporary rather than a permanent memory store- short term memory
Melatonin- Sleep Hormone
-Produced in the pineal gland (epithalamus) -Hormone that makes us feel sleepy and lowers our body temperature (Turn off the body) -Plays an important role in the sleep/wake cycle -Its production is influenced bu the darkness(activates production) and light (deactivates it) -Messages inhibited by the retina and optical nerve at the light brightening -Melatonin Pills to feel sleepy common with people suffering from Jet Lag
Milner (1957) Case Study of HM
when HM was 27, neurosurgeon performed experimental surgery in order to stop the seizures. Tissue from the medial temporal lobe including the hippocampus was removed on both sides of his brain. After the operation HM suffered from amnesia, not being able to create new episode again semantic memories but he was able to learn a few procedural memories. this case study shows that the hippocampus is important in memory processing and particular in the storage of new memories
Schlagger (1994) SAD
Injected chemicals to block melatonin secretion- so people would be more awake and symptomps of SAD relieved
Tan’s case study (1861)
Paul Broca was working at an asylum- came to the case of a man with a head injury and the only word he could say was Tan, hence the name -post mortem autopsy -Lower part of the left frontal Lobe** -Broca studied 8 more brains and came to the conclusion that that part of the brain was responsible for speech/language abilities
Wernicke (1874)
Carl Wernicke, a german neurologist identified the opposite syndrome to Broca’s Aphasia. (Post mortem autopsies) -A lesion in the posterior portion of the left temporal lobe, producing speeck but often lacking meaning -Concluding that specific parts of the brain were responsible for human activities.
Neuroplasticity
In certain situations, the neurons in the brain can actually rearrange themselves- neuroplasticity examples: dendritic branching (dendritic sprouting) -Process in which dendrites grow and commect with other neurons -Dendrites become more dense -Connecting with more Neurons (neural connections) -Takes place by experience or after brain damage
Medial Temporal Lobe
Important for the forming, organization, consolidation and retrieval of memories
Low Ecological Validity
-How artificial is the experimental environment -Is it too artifical is interferes with the natual human behaviours (Fehr et al 2005- Trust investment game) Real money VS Fake money My money VS Their money
Avery et al (2001)
Suggested that dawn simulation is effective in treating SAD -95 medication free patients with SAD into 3 groups 1- received down simulation 2- traditional bright light therapy 3- placebo (red dim light) -Those in the 1st and 2nd group realigned sleeping patterns- appropriate inhibition of melatonin scretion. -Those in the 2nd and 3rd group experienced more side effects. Conclusion- Dawn simulation has more therapeutic benefits and thus more efficient
Baumgartner et al (2008)
Participants played a trust game: prisoner’s dilemma. Nasal oxytocin or placebo fMRI 49 participants Placebo: likely to show less trust after betrayal Oxytocin: similar rates fMRIs: decrease in response of amygdala (involved in emotional processing that has many oxytocin receptors). Associated with learning, memory and plays a role in reward-related responses and learning to trust. Giving oxytocin does not reflect the natural physiological processes. The function of oxytocin is very complex and it is too simplistic to say it is the “trust hormone”
Stimulating Environments
These types of environments encourage and contribute to dendritic branching -Rats having done more exercise Moreover their performance on learning exams was better -The cortex gets even thicker if rats are placed in company of other rats (part of a stimulating environment)
Kim and Hersch (1997)
Suggested that bilingual people use a larger part of the brain. **Neuroplasticity- refering to the abolity of the human brain to change as a result of one’s experience Neuroplasticity challenged the view of localisation of function. -The brain being very flexible and able to adjust physically -Recovering in Broca’s and Wernicke’s aphasia with clinical help
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
**
Fehr et al (2005) Investment Game
-Participants were 178 male college students -played investment game -Those given Oxytocin were investing 17% more than the placebo group this study cannot be generalized as it is males and college students Points to consider: -Trust is influenced by m”
Fessler et al (2005)
Study of disgust during the months of pregnancy Online survey Large Sample: 496 How to rate levels of disgust?
