Forebrain Flashcards
What is the forebrain?
Cerebral cortex and collection of deep nuclei derived from telencephalon and diencephalon that generates cognitive and emotional life of a sentient being
Everything above the midbrain
What do deep nuclei include?
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Basal ganglia
- Nuclei of the limbic system
Collection of Nuclei concerned with autonomic functions, appetite, temperature control, circadian rhythm and endocrine regulation
Supreme command of endocrine/autonomic systems
Hypothalamus
VL nucleus
Location?
Input?
Output?
Location: Thalamus
Input: basal ganglia and cerebellum
Output: cortex - helps with motor control
VPL and VPM nuclei
Location?
Input?
Output?
Location: Thalamus
Input: somatosensory (DC) and spinothalamic (STT) tracts, serving sensation from contralateral face and body
Output: post-central gyrus of cortex
Collection of nuclei that are in communication with the cortex and with other deep nuclei
Heavily involved in emotional regulation and memory
Limbic system
If damaged, new memories may not be formed
Hippocampus - (part of limbic system)
Interpretation and experience of fear, may be important in anxiety disorders
Amygdala - (part of limbic system)
Reward - “sex, drugs, rock and roll”, important in addiction disorders
Septal area - (part of limbic system)
How does forebrain interact with external world?
- Sensory (DC and STT)
- Motor output (CST)
- Special senses
How does forebrain interact with internal world?
- Limbic system (emotions, memories)
- Basal ganglia (train of thought and emotions)
- Cortex (plans, aspirations, schemes, plots)
How does forebrain execute action?
- Plans form in frontal cortex
- Info flows in parallel to basal ganglia and cerebellum for computation and smoothing
- Outflow from basal ganglia and cerebellum converge on VL nucleus
- VL projects back to frontal cortex w/ execution plan
What are examples of actions that are not motor acts?
Train of thought, focus of attention, emotional control
What side (ipsi or contra?) does cortex communicate with for the following:
Basal ganglia
Cerebellum
Basal ganglia - ipsilateral
Cerebellum - contralateral
