Chapter 3 - Neuropsychology Flashcards
Parts of the Nervous System
- Central NS
- Peripheral NS
- Endocrine System
Central NS
part of the NS which processes sensory information that goes through your brain and spinal cord
- Encased in bone
Peripheral NS
the part of the NS where communication occurs along the nerves, including the skin
- made up of Somatic NS, and Autonomic NS
Endocrine System
endocrine glands communicate information from one part of the body to another by secreting messenger chemicals called hormones into the bloodstream
- Hormones regulate physical processes and can influence behavior
Nerve:
a neuron axon which carries information in the PNS
Neuron
a nerve cell which communicates information from one part of the body to another
Types of Neurons
- Sensory neurons(efferent): carries information about the environment from peripherals to the brain
- Motor Neurons(afferent): carries information from the brain to muscles and glands to carry out functions and movements
Interneurons: communicates information between sensory and motor neurons and the CNS
- most common
Structure of Neurons
- Cell body(soma): provides energy for the neuron and contains the cell nucleus
- Dendrites: receives information from neighboring cells via neural communication
○ Can become denser to receive more info as a result of stimulation - Axon: a long, fluid filled tube which carries a neurons message to other cells via neurotransmitters and has a myelin sheath over
- Synapse: the gap between two neurons
Transmission occurs electronically or chemically via neurotransmitters
- Dendrites: receives information from neighboring cells via neural communication
Glial Cells:
a cell in the human brain which provides structural and nutritional support to the neurons as well as by removing cell wastes and manufacturing myelin
Myelin Sheath
a white, fatty covering wrapped around axons of neurons which assists in increasing speed in which neurons communicate
Endorphins
a neurotransmitter which can influence the perception of pain or pleasure
- An oversupply with opiate drugs(depressants) can suppress the bodys natural endorphin supply
Branches of the PNS
Somatic Nervous System: communicates sensory information to the CNS and motor messages from the CNS to the muscles and glands
Autonomic Nervous System: regulates involuntary functions with little to no conscious involvement.
- E.g. heartbeats, blood pressure, breathing
- Emotions and mental imagery can influence the ANS
Branches of the Autonomic Nervous System
- Sympathetic NS: produces physical arousal to meet the perceived threat
- Fight or flight response
- Parasympathetic NS: conserves and maintains your physical resources by either keeping us at, or returning us to homeostasis
- Most commonly activated
Spinal Reflex
an innate, automatic and unconscious behavior that is processed in the spinal cord without the involvement of the brain to quicken response time and aid in survival
- E.g. jerking your hand back after touching a hot stove
Neuroplasticity
the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or an experience
Types of Neural Plasticity:
- Structural Plasticity: the ability to physically change its structure in response to learning, active practice or environmental stimulation
- E.g. more dendrites, more synaptic connections
- Functional Plasticity: the brains ability to shift functions from damaged areas to undamaged areas
Main Brain Structures
- Midbrain: contains structures involved in processing, visual and auditory information
- Hindbrain: region at base of brain which connects the brain to the spinal cord
- Brainstem is composed of the Pons and Medulla
- Forebrain: uppermost and largest brain region
Cerebral Cortex
the ultimate control and information processing center which plays a key role in consciousness such as attention, thought, memory.
- Found in the Forebrain and divided into two hemispheres which can communicate due to the Corpus Callosum - Left is superior in language, speech, reading and writing - Right is superior in nonverbal emotional expressions and visual spatial tasks
Lobes in each Hemisphere of the cerebral cortex
- Frontal: largest lobe which involves thinking, emotional control, initiating voluntary movements, speaking, intelligence and personality
- Parietal: processes somatosensory information including touch, body temperature and pressure
- Occipital: visual
- Temporal: primary receiving area for auditory information
Limbic System
lies under the cerebral cortex and is associated with emotions and drives
Structure of the Limbic System: Hypothalamus
helps body remain in a homeostatic state by regulating the endocrine system
Structure of the Limbic System: Thalamus
- relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex as well as regulates awareness and motivation
○ located within each hemisphere
Structure of the Limbic System: Amygdala
- Amygdala: responsible for processing emotional responses and involved in the formation of memories which have a strong emotional component
○ Base of the temporal lobe
Structure of the Limbic System: Hippocampus
- assists in the ability to form new memories and facts of events
Acetylcholine(ACh)
enables muscle action, learning and memory
- In Alzheimers disease, Ach-producing neurons deteriorate
Dopamine
influences movement, learning, attention and emotions
- Excess is linked to schizophrenia - Undersupply leads to tremors and parkinsons disease
Serotonin
affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal
- Undersupply linked to depression
- Raised by prozac and antidepressant drugs
Norepinephrine
helps control alertness and arousal
- Undersupply can depress mood
GABA
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
- Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors and insomnia
Glutamate
a major excitatory neurotransmitter and involved in memory
- Oversupply results in overstimulation of brain creating migraines and seizures
