Higher Cortical Function

Question 1

Neocortex vs. Paleocortex

Answer 1

Most of the brain, consisting of 6 layers vs. older brain which only has 3 layers

Question 2

Cortical Columns

Answer 2

Vertical columns of neurons the respond similarly and interact heavily with each other that many believe to be basic functional unit of neocortex (but also interact w/ other columns)

Question 3

Connectome

Answer 3

Complete map of how every neuron connects to every other neuron in the brain

Question 4

Association Cortices

Answer 4

Not primary ones, but in fact make up like 75% of brain. Receive inputs from all over brain rather than from direct sensory pathways

Question 5

Lesion to Each Parietal Lobe

Answer 5

L: R compensates for it somewhat
R: Contralateral neglect syndrome

Question 6

Ventral vs. Dorsal Stream

Answer 6

Extends from visual cortex to temporal lobe to identify color/FFA/objects vs. extends to parietal related to motion, direction, and action

Question 7

Agnosias

Answer 7

Difficulty recognizing, identifying, and naming objects, usually from damage to temporal lobes

Question 8

Prosopagnosia

Answer 8

Inability to recognize faces, can be from damage to Fusiform Facial Area in temporal or hereditary

Question 9

Theory of Mind

Answer 9

Self-awareness and awareness of others, thought to be in temporo-parietal junction

Question 10

Phineas Gage

Answer 10

Railroad worker who had pole through frontal cortex and was then an asshole who couldn’t plan shit

Question 11

Mirror Neurons

Answer 11

Activated when individual does the task or observes others doing the task - maybe template for behavior

Question 12

Broken Mirror Theory

Answer 12

Autistics maybe can’t form appropriate mirror neuron circuits, especially for emotional templates