Lecture 21: Emotions and Mental Health Flashcards
what are the 2 ways all emotions are expressed
visceral motor system
somatic motor system (facial muscles)
what are the 5 visceral motor system reactions to emotions
- Heart rate
- Cutaneous blood flow
- Piloerection
- Sweating
- Gastro-intestinal motility
brought on by changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic system
are Emotion and sensorimotor behaviour linked
yes we can’t separate fear from the physical sensations like stomach dropping
what are the 2 mechanisms of Somatic Motor System (Facial muscles)
- Voluntary
(from motor cortical areas) - Involuntary/Automatic
(Limbic system)
do we need both voluntary and involuntary motor pathways to express emotion?
yes.
what kind of motor control does somatic emotional expression (facial muscles) use
a DUAL nature of descending motor control of voluntary and involuntary response
do the descending inputs of the somatic motor system run perpendicular or parallel to each other
parallel
This connection between limbic system and body is a “two-way street”. The motor system influences the limbic system/emotional states and vice versa (eg meditation)
what are the 2 sources of emotion
Physical Sensation
cognition
how do physical sensations cause emotions
allows rapid physiological changes in response to altered conditions
(gut feeling, stomach churns so we feel grossed out)
how does cognition cause emotion
Anticipated events, suspenseful TV shows etc all lead to autonomic activation and strongly felt emotions
is emotion a subjective experience
yes. people across cultures agree what emotions feel like
what are the 3 brain structures involved in emotion
Hypothalamus -
Amygdala
limbic system
what are the two target structures for the hypothalamus and their function?
reticular formation (producing visceral and somatic responses tied to emotional states)
anterior pituitary gland
(link to endocrine system)
does the hypothalamus have targets in the somatic(fascial expressions) or visceral nervous system
both
what would happen if your cortex disconnected from the hypothalamus
anger outbursts
which 2 brain ares control the hypothalamus
frontal cortex
amygdala
what is the role of the basal lateral amygdala
provides emotional significance to a stimuli,
then the cortex influences conscious perception and memory of dangerous situations
what is the role of the central/anterior amygdala
sends signals to hypothalamus to produce visceral and somatic responses
what are the 5 components of the limbic system.
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Hippocampus
- Amygdala
- Olfactory bulb
why are some people “left-faced”
the left side of the face appears to express emotion more fully and readily is consistent with the idea that the right hemisphere is most concerned with the perception and express of emotion (e.g. aprosody with right hemisphere lesions)
what are the 4 steps to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis)
stress
Hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Anterior pituitary releases
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Adrenal glands release cortisol
ANIXETY SYMTPOMS!
What are the 3 ways tress can turn off
- Negative feedback (cortisol)
- Pre-frontal cortex
- Hippocampus
how can Negative feedback (cortisol) turn off stress
cortisol inhibits CRH/ACTH which stops more cortisol from being released
how can the pre-frontal cortex turn off stress
our brain reassures us we are fine
how can the hippocampus turn off stress
brings up our memory that we have been okay in this situation before
what are the 4 neurotransmitters related to stress
acetylcholine
dopamine
norepinephrine
serotonin
what are the 4 targets and functions of acytilcholine
- Cerebral cortex
- hippocampus
- Thalamus
- Cerebellum, pons, medulla
alertness and memory
what are the 3 targets and 3 functions of dopamine
Limbic cortex/amygdala
Prefrontal cortex
Nucleus accumbens
Movements
* Initiative
* Workingmemory
what is the target and 2 functions of norepinephrine
entire CNS
alertness and mood elevation
what is the target and 3 functions of serotonin
entire CNS
alertness, mood
elevation, breathing control
what are the 3 Neurological correlates of depression
Increased blood flow in the triangular circuit
Smaller hippocampal volume
Increased HPA activity
what are the 2 Neurological correlates of anxiety
Increased activity in amygdala is most common
* In response to stimuli, not necessarily at rest
Increases in cortisol levels
what are the 3 Neurological correlates of schizophrenia
- limbic system, frontal lobes and basal ganglia are impacted
- Neuroimaging: decreased activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- Abnormal dopamine levels
what are the 3 stages of Alzheimer’s disease
amnesia stage - impaired short term memory
confusional stage - decline of cognitive abilities
dementia stage - unable to care for oneself
