Chapter 2- Neural Basis of Cognition Flashcards
Capgras Syndrome:
• Can recognize other people, but is convinced these people are not who they appear to be (imposters)
• Facial recognition involves 2 separate systems in the brain
○ Cognitive appraisal (I know what they look like, and I know you look like him)
○ Emotional appraisal (You look familiar and trigger a warm response in me)
Emotional processing disrupted (recognition without emotional response, therefore you must be someone else)
Brain and Capgras Syndrome:
• Right temporal lobe damage disrupts circuits involving the amygdala, resulting in lack of emotional response
Right prefrontal cortex also damaged (important for planning or analysis), results in Capgras patients not being able to keep track what is real, what is sensible
Hindbrain:
• On top of spinal cord • Important for controlling automatic functions (heart rate, breathing), balance, alertness • Cerebellum ○ Largest part of hindbrain Important for coordination and balance
Midbrain
Important for coordinating movements, relating auditory information, pain perception
Limbic system
System of connected structures important for learning and memory
Thalamus, hypothalamus
Thalamus
○ Underneath cortex of forebrain
Relay station for sensory information
Hypothalamus
Right under thalamas
Important for motivated behaviours
Neuropsychology:
• Study of brain structures and how to relate to brain function
• Clinical neuropsychology
Study of function of intact, undamaged brains from case studies
Computerized Axial Tomography:
• CAT scans
• Studies brain’s structure
Uses X-rays
Positron Emission Tomography:
• PET scan
• Studies brain activity
Involves tracking a radioactive tracer through the brain
Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
• MRI
Uses magnetic properties of atoms in brain tissue to create pictures of brain
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
• fMRI
• Measures oxygen in content in blood flowing through each region of brain
Can’t tell you when exactly activity took place
Electroencephalography:
• Recording of voltage changes occurring at the scalp that reflects activity in the brain underneath Creates electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG
used to study broad rhythms in brain activity
Can’t tell you where activity took place
Alpha rhythm
Delta rhythm
Event related potential
Alpha rhythm
○ Activity level rising and falling 7-10 times per second
Observed when someone is awake but calm and relaxed
Delta rhythm
○ Activity level rising and falling 1-4 times per second
Observed when someone is sleeping
Event-related potential
Measure changes in EEG before, during, and after event to measure brain activity over a shorter period of time
Fusiform Face Area:
• FFA
Part of brain that becomes active whenever a face is being perceived
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation:
• TMS
Strong magnetic pulse at specific location causes a temporary disruption in brain region (temporary disabled)
Primary Motor Projection Areas
Departure points for signals leaving the cortex
Contralateral control
Stimulation to left hemisphere leading to movements on right side of body, and vice versa
Primary sensory projection areas
Arrival points for signals coming into the cortex
Somatosensory area
Info from skin projected to parietal lobe
Stimulation results in tingling sensation
Temporal area
Stimulation results in hearing clicks, buzzes, hums
Visual area
○ Info projected to occipital lobe
Stimulation results in seeing flashes of lights or visual patterns
Similarities between sensory areas
Provides a map of the sensory environment
Cortical space is governed by function not anatomical proportions
i.e. Touch- sensitive areas get more cortical area than less sensitive areas even if they cover more area on the body
Association Areas:
• Portion of cerebral cortex that is not motor or sensory areas
Consists of frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes
Apraxias:
Disturbances in voluntary action caused by lesions in the frontal lobe
Agnosias:
• Disruptions in ability to identify familiar objects due to lesion in parietal or occipital lobe
Usually only affects either vision or touch (can recognize a fork by touch but not by looking)
Neglect Syndrome:
Lesion in parietal lobe that results in the individual ignoring half the visual world
Aphasia:
Lesion in areas near lateral fissure (fissure that separates frontal and temporal lobe) results in disruption in language capabilities
