Lecture 2: Neuroanatomy Flashcards

Question

Hypothalamus and the Amygdala

Answer 1

Hypothalamus – controls multiple hormone-regulating areas of the body (e.g., pituitary gland = adrenaline) Fight or Flight via ↑ HR and BR when Amygdala activated

Answer 2

Hippocampus - Modulation of memory consolidation ↑ emotion = ↑ memory Hippo dedvelopled when we are kids...not PFC => body keeps the score

Answer 3

PFC – decreased connection/control = PTSD Together Amygdala and PFC = conditioning and extinction of memories of traumatic fear (PTSD) cycle between Amygdala and PFC...PFC extinguishes Amygdala reaction

Answer 4

During puberty, development of the PFC = better amygdalar control hormonal changes make emotion regulation difficult

Answer 5

PTSD treatment invovles adding words to the event Words are processed in the PFC So wwhen you add words to the event, you are processing in your pfc (turning it back on!)

Answer 6

Stress = ↑ corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) CRH is pre-cursor to cortisol...the more CRH relseased the more cortisol...the stronger the reaction from the Amygdala Strengthens the Amygdala, Weakens the hippocampus & prefrontal cortex Results in: – Negative emotional state – Lack of executive control =↑ risk of relapse – Memory of relief/cravings

Answer 7

– 1/3 adol with reported abuse/neglect will develop a SUD before 18. – 2-4x of those with PTSD developing chemical dependencies. – SGM across lifespan = ↑ risk of TUD and AUD + homelessness = 5x – COVID-19 = ↑ 23% increase in AUD

Answer 8

"I dont know why this is causing me to act this way"...Your body remmebers...but you can't access your hippocampus to conciously recall....why when people are having PTSD episode, we ground (not explain oh well you are safe here, etc.) Amy. becomes more "general" This looks sort of like the adult who hurt me...it's safer for me to say they are also probably dangerous...so i will code that adult as negative valence

Answer 9

Responsible for: – Learning and memory - verbal, spatial, autobiographical – Approach-Avoidance of conflict (attachment anxiety) The olfactory bulb is directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus, which might explain why the smell of something can so immediately trigger a detailed memory or even intense emotion.

Answer 10

Concentration of cortisol receptors = ↑ vulnerability to atrophy due to long term stress Atrophy prevents creation of new memories Worse in biological males vs females Chronic PTSD --> Harder to create new learning and memories...This is why we do PE

Answer 11

Is a group of structures located deep within the brain that play an important role in: – Keeping body movements smooth and coordinated – Habit-Forming – Motivation/Reward Motivation: - Intended to function as a means of increasing SURVIVAL. - Reward occurs with sexual activity, food consumption, social connection - We repeat and move towards the behaviors that reinforce our reward system

Answer 12

In the basal ganglia activates dopamine production (reward) and the opioid signaling system (calm/relaxation) Mediates the reinforcing effects of addictive substances and behaviors, creating a cycle of craving and reward-seeking.

Answer 13

In the basal ganglia Substantia Nigra (located in the Ventral Tegmental Area VTA) – produces dopamine (which is part of reward system)

Answer 14

In the basal ganglia Raphe Nuclei – produce serotonin

Answer 15

In the basal ganglia Dorsal striatum – habit formation/routine (muscle memory)

Answer 16

Activating environmental memories

Answer 17

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Periaqueductal Gray (PAG): Superior and Inferior Colliculi Raphe Nuclei

Answer 18

midbrain Produces dopamine, central to the reward system; dysregulation in addiction leads to altered reward sensitivity and motivation.

Answer 19

midbrain Involved in pain modulation and defensive responses; significant in trauma-related conditions such as hypervigilance and emotional numbing.

Answer 20

midbrain Coordinate sensory processing and orientation; can become hyperactive in trauma, contributing to heightened sensory awareness or startle responses. Hyper awarness to envionrment...not hypervigilience (this is looking for ONE stimuli) sup. and inf. coll. is just looking at all envionrment

Answer 21

midbrain Located throughout the midbrain; produce most serotonin in the central nervous system; regulate anxiety, stress, sleep; SSRIs believed to act on this

Answer 22

Cerebellum * Locus Coeruleus * Medulla Oblongata: * Reticular Formation:

Answer 23

Cerebellum: Traditionally associated with motor control but also implicated in emotional regulation and stress responses, which can be disrupted by addiction and trauma.

Answer 24

Major source of norepinephrine; plays a role in arousal, stress responses, and the hypervigilance seen in trauma survivors.

Answer 25

Regulates autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing; these can be dysregulated in trauma (e.g., during panic attacks).

Answer 26

Governs arousal and alertness; can become overactive in trauma, contributing to hyperarousal and poor sleep.

Answer 27

Dopamine pathway functions Reward (motivation) Pleasure, euphoria Motor function Compulsion Perservation

Answer 28

Intoxication with-drawl/negative affect Preoccupation/anticipation When you start process of accessing substance ... already dopamine pathway is going crazy the cortisol increases, so your PFC decreases and you have more than you intended Intoxination decreases PFC further... EVEN if it is a stimulant (Brecuase sitmulatnt is too much so it shuts PFC down, body all abotu balance)

Answer 29

the stage at which an individual consumes an intoxicating substance and experiences its rewarding or pleasurable effects;

Answer 30

the stage at which an individual experiences a negative emotional state in the absence of the substance

Answer 31

the stage at which one seeks substances again after a period of abstinence.

Answer 32

Presentation of a stimulus increases the probability of a response like drug taking. ex. Getting to chat with people at a bar is easier with alcohol

Answer 33

Removal of a stimulus increases the probability of a response like drug taking. Ex. Next time you go to a bar without it, its harder to socialize so you are like hey i need it next time (Positive Reinforcement over time becomes Negative reinforcement

Answer 34

association of stimuli (external or internal) with a reward experience leading to increased dopamine with just the incentive this is why we say don't go into enviornment where it happened...because if in environment you are more likely

Answer 35

An inability to resist urges, deficits in delaying gratification, and unreflective decision-making.

Answer 36

Repetitive behaviors in the face of adverse consequences impulsivity becomes compulsivity --> habitual element in dorsal straitum (habit)

Answer 37

leads to polysubstance use, building enviornmental cues

Answer 38

start seeking it out becuase it prevents negative response...to avoid withdrfawl "if I use a little more, I can exprience that high again and get the positive reward"

Answer 39

Basal Ganglia ↑ Dopamine Activation in Nucleus Accumbens – Seen in all addictive substances but especially stimulants – Basal Ganglia experiences “Rewarding Effects” --> reinforce use = Hijacking of Brain Reward System ↑Activation of the dorsal striatum – Contributes to habit formation – For example, when I am at the bar, I drink or when I feel sad, I watch porn

Answer 40

Amygdala Withdrawal Symptoms = negative affect & physical symptoms 2 Sources: ↓ Activation of the Basal Ganglia reward circuits ↑ Stress system in the Amygdala restless, HR increases, etc.

Answer 41

PFC & Hippocampus Particular parts of the PFC are activated allowing the person to engage in the planning and problem solving necessary to access the specific substance/addictive behavior The engagement in planning = reduced stress because they are DOING something --> reduced cortisol - Engaging in an action reduces stress/anxiety even if that action (e.g., worrying) is ineffective The hippocampus activates the memory of “this helped me to not feel this way”

Answer 42

baseline increases...things are not as rewarding in chornic users, really hard for that to come down there is a maxisum peak. Low is jsut as low as before....when go past peak its like schizophrenia...so body tries to stop you from going past peak

Answer 43

lower gray matter volumes in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (Ressler, 2019) Extreme neglect  decreased brain activation (Harnett, 2018)

Answer 44

Impaired reading (dyslexia) Social and non-social processes (some cultures reinforce drinking culture) Asian Americans = ↑ cortical thickness (think that increase sensitivty to substances...with asian americans, want to start at lower dose and give longer time to reach peak efficacy) In Caucasian - age = ↑ WML (White mater mylsenation: substances and advicative behaviors are more rewoaring) In Blacks – obesity = ↑ WML (correlation: black indivdiuals may have greater reward system for sugar and glucose and sugary food)

Answer 45

Neurons are made up of a cell body, axon and dendrites. The cell body and its nucleus = control the neuron's activities. Axon = transmits messages to other neurons. Dendrites = receive messages from axon terminals Synaptic Cleft = space between the dendrite and axon terminal