brain Flashcards
Long-term depression
the long-lasting and experience-dependent weakening of synaptic connections between neurons that are not regularly coactivated
Long-term potentiation
the long-lasting and experience-dependent strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactivated.
The mind-body problem
involves the question of whether our mind and body are distinct, separate entities or whether they are one and the same thing.
THE BRAIN-HEART DEBATE
The brain-heart debate considers whether or not our thoughts, feelings and behaviours originate from our brain or our heart.
Phrenology
was the study of the shape of the skull to determine personality and mental functioning
Brain ablation
involves the surgical removal, destruction, or cutting of a region of brain tissue.
Lesioning
is the practice of inducing and/or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain. Lesion is a natural or experimentally damaged tissue of the brain used to study portions of the brain.
Hemispheric specialisation
is the difference in functioning between the left and right hemispheres of the brain when performing a specific behaviour or task.
A neuroimaging technique
A neuroimaging technique is one that captures an image of the brain. They are used for medical purposes, and are much less invasive than previous techniques, which required the brain to be exposed.
Computerised tomography (CT)
combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
is a technique that uses magnetic fields to activate atoms in the brain, when then allows a computer to generate an image of the brain.
This can be used to diagnose structural abnormalities in the brain.
The images produced by MRI are more detailed and clearer than those produced by CT.
This imaging technique is used to identify cancerous tissue, signs of stroke or more subtle abnormalizes, such as those seen in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders
Position emission tomography
Position emission tomography is a technique that provides information not only about brain structure but also about the brain’s activity and function, in full colour.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging works by measuring oxygen consumption in the brain with the assumption that blood is more oxygenated in active areas of the brain.
The amygdala
The amygdala is located in the middle of the brain, within the temporal lobe. It is often described as being a small ‘almond shape’ structure.
The amygdala is primarily involved in the processing of emotions and memories associated with fear. Hence, it is often described as the ‘fear centre’ of the brain.
The hippocampus
The hippocampus is a small but complex brain structure that plays an important role in the process of learning and the formation of new memories.
functions
Crucial for converting short-term memory into long-term memory, shirting those memories into other parts of the brain for long-term storage and assisting in the retrieval of those memories when needed.
Involved in spatial navigation, which is the ability to identify the position of our body relative to the objects around us.
The basal ganglia
The basal ganglia is a group of structures deep within the brain. It is pivotal in encoding and storing procedural memories.
Procedural memories are those related to performing specific task or skills, like riding a bike or playing a musical instrument.
The cerebellum
The cerebellum primary functions to monitor and coordinate skeletal muscle movement.
Cerebellum functions:
- The cerebellum retrieves information about the position of the body in space, as well as information about planned motor movements, from other brain regions.
- It then uses this information to calculate how to move fluidly and smoothy.
- Finally, the cerebellum communicates this motor information to the skeletal muscles, which carry out the motor movement.
The neocortex
The neocortex is a complex structure covering the outer layer of the brain, is intricately involved in various cognitive processes, with memory being one its fundamental functions.
The neocortex plays a crucial role in encoding, storing, and retrieving memories, contributing significantly to our ability to learn and remember information.
