L16. Higher Functions of the Brain Pt.2

Question 1

Prefrontal cortex?

Answer 1

Functions (“executive functions”:
- Planning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Working memory
- Emotional/behavioural regulation

Question 2

Long term memory?

Answer 2

• More permanent changes in brain function and/or structure
• Involves long term changes in strength of specific synapses (“long term potentiation, LTP”)
• Stored the hippocampus (mostly)

Question 3

Declarative memory?

Answer 3

Memory for things that can be described in words
- Episodic = recollection; snapshots of life events, experiences. Allows imagining the future
- Semantic = knowledge; words and their meanings, recognising objects names of people, faces, things, concepts - in categories

Question 3

Short term (working) memory?

Answer 3

• Continued activity in brain circuits, if activity is interrupted then memory is lost
• Involves the prefrontal cortex

Question 4

Procedural memory?

Answer 4

Memory for how to do things

Question 5

Prosopagnosia?

Answer 5

When you are unable to distinguish people
- Different neurons are responsible for recognising different people
- In the fusiform gyrus

Question 6

Face perception?

Answer 6

1 neuron per person
The body always tries to make faces out of anything from the fusiform gyrus (next to the hippocampus on the right side)

Question 7

Cognitive map?

Answer 7

• In the right hippocampus
• Recalling directions from A –> B activates neurons in the right hippocampus
• Accurate recall leads to higher activation
• Taxi drivers have enlarged grey matter in the right hippocampus over non-taxi drivers

Question 8

Language areas of the brain?

Answer 8

Broca’s area = involved in “constructing” language
Most obvious in output (fluency)

Wernicke’s area = involved in processing language “meaning”
Both input and output (comprehension)

Language functions concentrated in left hemisphere in 90% of people, including left-handers

Question 9

Broca’s aphasia?

Answer 9

Difficulty expressing language
Writing is equally impaired

Abnormal activity in Broca’s area in individuals who stutter

Question 10

Wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 10

Difficulty comprehending language
Speech is fluent but often nonsensical

Reduced activity in Wernicke’s area in individuals with dyslexia

Question 11

Left brain?

Answer 11

• Analytical
• Verbal and writing
• Mathematical

Question 12

Right brain?

Answer 12

• Spatial perception and map
• Facial processing and primitive language

Question 13

Fact about the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 13

It is the last part of the brain to fully mature

Question 14

Where is procedural memory stored?

Answer 14

In the cerebellum