Chapter 2- Neural Basis of Cognition

Question 1

Capgras Syndrome:

Answer 1

• 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)

Question 2

Brain and Capgras Syndrome:

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Hindbrain:

Answer 3

•  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

Question 4

Midbrain

Answer 4

Important for coordinating movements, relating auditory information, pain perception

Question 5

Limbic system

Answer 5

System of connected structures important for learning and memory

Thalamus, hypothalamus

Question 6

Thalamus

Answer 6

○ Underneath cortex of forebrain

Relay station for sensory information

Question 7

Hypothalamus

Answer 7

Right under thalamas

Important for motivated behaviours

Question 8

Neuropsychology:

Answer 8

• Study of brain structures and how to relate to brain function
• Clinical neuropsychology
Study of function of intact, undamaged brains from case studies

Question 9

Computerized Axial Tomography:

Answer 9

• CAT scans
• Studies brain’s structure
Uses X-rays

Question 10

Positron Emission Tomography:

Answer 10

• PET scan
• Studies brain activity
Involves tracking a radioactive tracer through the brain

Question 11

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Answer 11

• MRI

Uses magnetic properties of atoms in brain tissue to create pictures of brain

Question 12

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Answer 12

• fMRI
• Measures oxygen in content in blood flowing through each region of brain
Can’t tell you when exactly activity took place

Question 13

Electroencephalography:

Answer 13

• Recording of voltage changes occurring at the scalp that reflects activity in the brain underneath
Creates electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 14

EEG

Answer 14

used to study broad rhythms in brain activity

Can’t tell you where activity took place

Alpha rhythm
Delta rhythm
Event related potential

Question 15

Alpha rhythm

Answer 15

○ Activity level rising and falling 7-10 times per second

Observed when someone is awake but calm and relaxed

Question 16

Delta rhythm

Answer 16

○ Activity level rising and falling 1-4 times per second

Observed when someone is sleeping

Question 17

Event-related potential

Answer 17

Measure changes in EEG before, during, and after event to measure brain activity over a shorter period of time

Question 18

Fusiform Face Area:

Answer 18

• FFA

Part of brain that becomes active whenever a face is being perceived

Question 19

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation:

Answer 19

• TMS

Strong magnetic pulse at specific location causes a temporary disruption in brain region (temporary disabled)

Question 20

Primary Motor Projection Areas

Answer 20

Departure points for signals leaving the cortex

Question 21

Contralateral control

Answer 21

Stimulation to left hemisphere leading to movements on right side of body, and vice versa

Question 22

Primary sensory projection areas

Answer 22

Arrival points for signals coming into the cortex

Question 23

Somatosensory area

Answer 23

Info from skin projected to parietal lobe

Stimulation results in tingling sensation

Question 24

Temporal area

Answer 24

Stimulation results in hearing clicks, buzzes, hums

Question 25

Visual area

Answer 25

○ Info projected to occipital lobe

Stimulation results in seeing flashes of lights or visual patterns

Question 26

Similarities between sensory areas

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Association Areas:

Answer 27

• Portion of cerebral cortex that is not motor or sensory areas
Consists of frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes

Question 28

Apraxias:

Answer 28

Disturbances in voluntary action caused by lesions in the frontal lobe

Question 29

Agnosias:

Answer 29

• 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)

Question 30

Neglect Syndrome:

Answer 30

Lesion in parietal lobe that results in the individual ignoring half the visual world

Question 31

Aphasia:

Answer 31

Lesion in areas near lateral fissure (fissure that separates frontal and temporal lobe) results in disruption in language capabilities