Higher Cortical Function Flashcards

1
Q

What provides most of the inputs to the dense collection of neurones in the cortex?

A

Mostly Thalmic Inputs

cortex also communicates with other cortical areas

(spinothalamaic, visual etc…)

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2
Q

Which cell type (strucutre) provides most of the outputs from the cortex?

A

Pyramidal Cells

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3
Q

What are 3 broad functions of the frontal lobe?

A

Motor Output

Expression of Speech

Behavioural Regulation

Cognition (e.g. mental arythmetic)

Continence

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4
Q

What does the frontal lobe co-ordinate via the corticonuclear projections?

A

Eye Movements

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5
Q

Which hemisphere of the frontal lobe is usually responsible for expression of speech?

A

Left Hemisphere

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6
Q

TBC

How may a patient present with a frontal lobe lesion?

A
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7
Q

What are 3 major functions of the parietal lobes?

A

Sensory Perception

Comprehension of Speech

Body Image

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8
Q

Which visual pathway passes through the parietal lobe?

A

Superior Optic Radiation

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9
Q

Which lobe of the brain may be damaged when a patient develops neglect syndrome and outline how it may manifest?

A

Parietal Lobe

patient neglects half of their body / environment

  • only eating half a plate of food*
  • ignoring limbs on one side of the body*
  • only copying half a picuture of a clock face*
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10
Q

TBC

How may a patient present with a parietal lobe lesion?

A
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11
Q

What are 3 broad functions of the temporal lobe?

A

Hearing

Olfaction

Memory

Emotion

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12
Q

Which visual pathway passes through the temporal lobe?

A

Inferior Optic Radiations

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13
Q

Which specific part of the temporal lobe is responsible for laying down long term memories?

A

Hippocampus

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14
Q

TBC

How may a patient present with a temproal lobe lesion?

A
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15
Q

What is cerebral dominance and how can this be useful clinically?

A

certain functions are over-represented in one hemisphere of the brain

left hemisphere

language / mathematics

right hemisphere

body image / emotion / visuospatial awareness

a patient with difficulty speaking may have a left hemisphere lesion

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16
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

a large bundle of white matter connecting the two hemispheres

17
Q

What is the function of the Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area?

A

Broca’s Area

production of speech

Wernicke’s Area

interpretation of language

18
Q

Which structure connects the Broca’s and Wernicke’s area?

A

Arcuate Fasiculus

19
Q

Outline the pathway for repeating a heard word

A

Olfactory Nerve > Primary Auditory Cortex > Wernike’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex

20
Q

Outline the pathway for repeating a written word

A

Optic Nerve > Primary Visual Cortex > Wernike’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex

21
Q

Outline the pathway for speaking a ‘thought’

A

Multiple Cortical Inputs > Wernicke’s Area > via arcuate fasiculus > Broca’s Area > Primary Motor Cortex

22
Q

How would a patient present with Wernicke’s aphasia (dysphasia is more accurate)?

A

able to speaks fluently as Broca’s area functioning

speech is nonsensical as the Wernicke’s area is not functioning and therefore the patient cannot understand the question

23
Q

How would a patient present with Broca’s aphasia (dysphasia is more accurate)?

A

unable to speak fluently, speech is slow as Broca’s area not functioning

patient is able to understand the question and can write down answers

24
Q

What are the two classifications of memory?

(not short and long term)

A

Declarative

explicit/fact

Nondeclarative

implicit/motor skills/emotions

25
Q

Where are memories stored within the brain?

A

distributed throughout large areas of the brain

26
Q

In which two distinct regions of the brain are declarative and nondeclarative memories store?

A

Declarative

cerebral cortex

Nondeclarative

Cerebellum

27
Q

What factors can help to consolidate memories from the short term to the long term?

A

Emotional Context

Rehersal

Association

28
Q

What type of memories is consolidated by the hippocampus and how is it believed to perform this role?

A

Consolidates Declarative Memories

increases amount of neurotransmitter released, increases number of receptors at post-synpaptic juncton and increases the number of pre-synaptic branches to release neurotransmitter

“neuroplasticity”