Hindbrain Flashcards
Hindbrain functions
- respiratory rhythm
- mood
- autonomic functions
- wake/sleep
- motor activity
Serotonin (5-HT)
- raphe nuclei (dorsal)
- mood
- cognition
- reward
- learning
- memory
- vomiting
- sleep
- thermoregulation
- sex
- feeding
- vasoconstriction
Norepinephrine (NE)
- catecholamine
- flight or flight
- arousal
- alertness
- vigilance
- formation and retrieval of memory
- focus/attention
- restlessness and anxiety
- heart rate and BP
- reduces blood flow to GI
Raphe nuclei functional regions
- Medial raphe
- dorsal raphe
Raphe nucleus projections
- caudal raphe: spinal cord and brainstem
- rostral raphe: higher order brain regions
Periacqueductal gray (PAG) functions
- analgesia
- defensive behaviors
- reproductive behaviors
- maternal behaviors
Locus coeruleus (LC)
principal site for production of NE
LC projections
Projects NE to:
- spinal cord
- brainstem
- cerebellum
- hypothalamus
- thalamic relay nuclei
- amygdala
- telencephalon
- cortex
LC functions
- arousal/stress
- attention
- creativity
- decision making
- emotions
- posture and balance
HPA axis
Body’s central stress response
HPA axis functions
Regulates:
- stress
- digestion
- immune system
- mood
- emotions
- sexuality
- energy storage
- expenditure
Cortisol functions
- released during stress and low blood sugar
- increase blood sugar
- suppress the immune system
- metabolism of fat, protein and carbs
Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVH)
- projects to posterior pituitary
- secrete oxytocin, vasopressin, CRF/CRH
PVH involvement
- stress
- appetite
- osmoregulation
Nucleus of solitary tract (NTS)
- pure sensory nuclei
- fibers from facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerve innervate it
NTS involvement
- taste and gustation (gag reflex)
- respiration
- blood pressure
Arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC)
- contains hormones
- communicate with other areas of the hypothalamus
ARC involvement
- feeding
- growth
Activation and damage to OFC
- Activation: mate selection, desirability, visual stimuli
- damage: induce abnormal sexual preferences
Activation of amygdala
- erections
- sexual feelings
- sensations of extreme pleasure
- ovulation
- uterine contractions
- orgasm
Activation of ventral striatum
Orgasm
Damage to dorsolateral PFC
reduce sexual drive
Damage to temporal lobe
Hypersexuality
