Lecture 6.2 Flashcards

1
Q

limbic system 3 main functions

A
  1. controls endocrine system (hypothalamus)
  2. involved in memory encoding and retrieval (hippocampus)
  3. integrates and produces homeostatic responses to environmental stimulus (cortex)
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2
Q

what does the limbic system control about the endocrine system

A

influences many aspects of emotional behavior (fear, anger, sexual behavior, appetite and eating behavior, sleep, addiction and motivation, social cognition)

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3
Q

how are the three functions of the limbic system related

A

in order to have an appropriate emotional response (amygdala) to environmental stimuli we need to be able to store and retrieve memories of our previous experiences

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4
Q

other names for limbic lobe

A

cingulate cortex/cingulate gyrus

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5
Q

Broca’s contribution to discovery of limbic system

A

pointed out horseshoe shaped circular rim of cortex that surrounded the junction between the diencephalon and cerebral hemispheres
- based on anatomical, not functional specifications

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6
Q

James Papez’s contribution to limbic system discovery

A

proposed that there is an emotional system that links the cortex to the hypothalamus where the type and intensity of emotion is determined by the activity of the cingulate cortex and expression of the emotion is governed by endocrine system

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7
Q

Papez circuit

A
  1. cingulate cortex projects to hippocampus
  2. which projects to the hypothalamus
  3. which projects to the thalamus
  4. which projects back to cingulate cortex
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8
Q

limbic system role in emotion and cognition

A
  • integrates emotional states with cognitive processes
  • involved in the regulation of emotional responses, formation and retrieval of memories, decision-making, and social interactions
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9
Q

limbic system integration with other brain regions

A
  • highly interconnected with other brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, sensory cortices, and brainstem
  • allows for a complex interplay between emotional, cognitive, and physiology processes
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10
Q

limbic system network perspective

A
  • functional network more than a distinct anatomical entity
  • components participate in broader neural circuits that support a range of behaviors, from emotional regulation to cognitive functions
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11
Q

core limbic system structures

A
  1. limbic cortex (limbic lobe/cingulate gyrus)
  2. hippocampus
  3. amygdala
  4. prefrontal cortex
  5. mammillary bodies
  6. hypothalamus
  7. septal nuclei
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12
Q

current view on limbic system

A
  1. no single neural system produces all emotional states
  2. different emotions depending on on different neural circuits but they all converge in the cortex for higher processing/awareness
  3. limbic system translates sensory data from cortex into motivational forces that produce human behaviors
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13
Q

what is the “ring” of cortex tissue associated with limbic function

A

cingulate, parahippocampal, & entorhinal cortex

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14
Q

how does limbic system connect pre-frontal/association cortex and lower limbic structures

A

2-way communication to control behavioral responses

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15
Q

what does ablation of some limbic cortex areas result in

A

persistent changes in an animal’s behavior

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16
Q

hippocampus role

A

encoding & consolidating info from short-term to long-term memory, memory retrieval, and spatial memory/nav

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17
Q

what does the hippocampus consist of

A

hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus

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18
Q

where does the hippocampal gray matter lie

A

on the floor of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle

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19
Q

what is the alveus formed by

A

formed of axons leaving the hippocampus along the surface of the hippocampus that form the fornix

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20
Q

what is the fimbria formed by

A

axons of the alveus coming together to form a larger white matter tract called the fimbria

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21
Q

what is the fornix formed by

A

the fimbria from the left and right hemispheres come together at the commissure to form an even larger white matter tract called fornix

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22
Q

fornix

A

C-shaped bundle of white matter fibers that arise from neurons in the hippocampus and are its major output tracts
- carries some afferent tracts into the hippocampus from the diencephalon and forebrain

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23
Q

what does cutting the fornix result in in humans

A

memory loss
- some debate over what type of memory is affected, but typically it’s episodic father than semantic or spatial knowledge

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24
Q

major white matter output from hippocampus

A

fornix

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25
Q

hippocampus axons projection path

A

alveus —> fimbria —> fornix

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26
Q

hippocampul commissure

A

part of the fornix that transmits information from either side of the brain
- bridge between the hemispheres

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27
Q

what does the parahippocampal gyrus contain

A

entorhinal cortex

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28
Q

entorhinal cortex function

A

provides most of the input to the hypothalamus

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29
Q

hippocampal formation

A

hippocampus (dentate gyrus + CA1 to CA4 - where neuron cell bodies are located), the entorhinal cortex, and the rest of the parahippocampal gyrus

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30
Q

perforant path

A

the primary source of external input to the hippocampus from the entorhinal cortex

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31
Q

what role does the entorhinal cortex-hippocampus system play

A

declarative (autobiographical/episodic) memory and spatial memory formation, consolidation, and optimization during sleep

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32
Q

where do the hippocampal outputs reach

A

amygdala, mammillary bodies, thalamus, hypothalamus, and the cingulate and frontal cortex

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33
Q

two distinct divisions of hippocampus

A

dorsal/posterior hippocampus, ventral/anterior hippocampus

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34
Q

dorsal/hippocampus main functions

A
  • spatial learning and memory
  • context encoding
  • place memory
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35
Q

ventral/anterior hippocampus main functions

A
  • emotional behaviors
  • stress response system
  • HPA axis negative feedback
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36
Q

hippocampal place cells

A

specialized neurons in the dorsal hippocampus, mainly CA1 and CA3 that play a crucial role in spatial memory and navigation

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37
Q

which cells are associated with encoding the “cognitive map” of an environment

A

place cells

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38
Q

when do place cells increase their firing rate

A

when an animal is in a particular location that corresponds to their place field

39
Q

when do place fields form

A

when an animal is introduced to a new environment

40
Q

how does the size of hippocampal place fields change

A

increases dramatically from the dorsal region to the ventral hippocampus

41
Q

declarative or explicit memory

A

a form of long-term memory used to recall everyday facts and knowledge

42
Q

spatial memory

A

a part of declarative/explicit memory for recalling locations

43
Q

episodic memory

A

a part of declarative/explicit memory for recalling events

44
Q

semantic memory

A

a part of of declarative/explicit memory for recalling facts

45
Q

procedural/implicit memory

A

a part of long-term memory: previous experiences help the performance of a task without conscious awareness

46
Q

what functions is procedural/implicit memory associated with

A
  • skills and habits
  • emotional associations
  • conditioned reflexes
47
Q

retrograde amnesia

A

cannot remember events prior to brain damage

48
Q

anterograde amnesia

A

cannot remember events that occur after brain damage

49
Q

functions associated with amygdala

A
  • social interactions
  • anxiety
  • aggression
  • fear
  • addiction/emotional rewards
50
Q

what does the amygdala respond to

A

emotionally salient stimuli

51
Q

three groups of amygdala

A
  • basolateral nuclei (BLA)
  • central nuclei (CEA)
  • medial nuclei (MEA)
52
Q

basolateral nuclei function

A

communicated bi-directionally w/ brain regions affecting cognition, motivation, and stress responses including prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and hindbrain regions

53
Q

central nuclei function

A

connections with hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray controlling body’s physiological emotional response

54
Q

medial nuclei function

A

interconnected with olfactory system; associated with olfactory memory, social behavior, aggression

55
Q

valence meaning

A

emotional value associated with a stimulus, which can be positive (rewarding) or negative (threatening)

56
Q

which part of amygdala encodes emotional valence of stimuli

A

basolateral amygdala

57
Q

where does the basolateral amygdala send out projections to in order to stimulate approach or defensive behaviors

A

nucleus accumbens (reward/approach/pleasure), central amygdala (defensive reaction/threat avoidance), ventral hippocampus (anxiety behaviors)

58
Q

what kind of memory does the amygdala activity affect

A

episodic autobiographical (EAM) memory
- encodes, stores, and retrieves EAM memories

59
Q

what does amygdala valence coding do

A

emotionally “charge” cues so that events of a specific emotional significance can be more rapidly retrieved

60
Q

how is the amygdala connected to the hippocampus

A

strengthens learning and memory in the hippocampus

61
Q

which kinds of memories are better remembered than others

A

negative memories > positive memories > neurtral memories

62
Q

how can PTSD result

A

amygdala-enhanced memories as a result of traumatic experience

63
Q

pre-encounter threat imminence

A

increased predator potential

64
Q

pre-encounter state

A

anxiety

65
Q

pre-encounter antecedent stimuli

A

past experiences w/ predation or threates

66
Q

pre-encounter consequent behaviors

A
  • stretched approach
  • alterations in meal patterns
  • retreat to next
67
Q

pre-encounter neuroanatomy

A
  • prefrontal cortex
  • ventral
  • hippocampus
68
Q

post-encounter threat imminence

A

predator deteccted

69
Q

post-encounter state

A

fear

70
Q

post-encounter antecedent stimuli

A

detection of a predator or imminent threat

71
Q

post-encounter consequent behaviors

A
  • freezing
  • thigmotaxix
72
Q

post-encounter neuroanatomy

A
  • amygdala
  • ventral PAG (midbrain)
73
Q

circa-strike threat imminence

A

predator makes contact

74
Q

circa-strike state

A

panic

75
Q

circa-strike antecedent stimuli

A

a striking predator is making or is about to make physical contact

76
Q

circa-strike consequent behaviors

A
  • audible vocalizations
  • vigorous escape attempts
  • Protean movement (zig zag running)
77
Q

circa-strike neuroanatomy

A

dorsal PAG with sensory inputs from the superior colliculus

78
Q

prefrontal cortex roles

A
  • decision making
  • planning and organizing
  • impulse control
  • attention and focus
  • working memory
  • social behavior
  • emotional regulation
79
Q

amygdala emotion generation

A

experiencing something emotional activates amygdala, triggers immediate intense emotional response

80
Q

prefrontal cortex emotion regulation

A

manage emotions; “brake” on the amygdala, helping calm down, think logically, and respond appropriately

81
Q

ucinate fasciculus

A

prefrontal cortex - amygdala white matter pathway

82
Q

prefrontal cortex - amygdala balance

A
  • prefrontal cortex controls impulsive reactions from amygdala, making sure emotional responses are balanced and appropriate
  • if amygdala is overactive, emotions take over
  • prefrontal cortex inhibits amygdala
83
Q

how to strengthen prefrontal cortex - amygdala pathway

A

exposure therapy and fear extinction in PTSD or phobia therapies

84
Q

mammillary bodies location

A
  • part of the diencephalon
  • paired nuclei that bulge anteriorly from the hypothalamus
85
Q

mammillary bodies general function

A

relay station in olfactory pathways, hippocampus, and other cerebral memory processing areas
- memory formation

86
Q

what part of the brain are the mammillary bodies part of

A

diencephalon (hypothalamus)

87
Q

what are the mammillary bodies connected to

A
  • hippocampus via fornix
  • anterior thalamic nuclei via mammillothalamic tract
  • tegmentum (reticular formation) via mamillotegmental tract
88
Q

what is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome caused by

A

thiamine deficiency

89
Q

role of the hypothalamus in the limbic system

A
  • contains many connections with neural circuits that regulate emotions and the body’s physical response
  • produces many bodily autonomic responses associated with emotions; unconsciously controls endocrine glands
90
Q

septal nuclei projections

A
  • receive afferent connections from other limbic structures (hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus)
  • send efferent projections to hippocampus, thalamus, ventral tegmental area, and hypothalamus
91
Q

septum pellucidum

A

thin, almost transparent membrane running down middle of brain from corpus callosum to hippocampus white matter tracts of fornix

92
Q

septum pellucidum location

A
  • forms part of the walls of the lateral ventricles
  • connected to bottom of corpus callosum
  • made up of thin two-layered structure consisting of nerve fiber bundles and blood vessels
  • surrounded by septal nuclei
93
Q

septal nuclei function

A

feelings of social connectedness and bonding
- maternal behaviors

94
Q

where does septal nuclei converge

A

lateral septum in regulation of maternal behaviors