Lectures Flashcards
Types of receptors
1) Ionotropic
excitatory - Glutamate - AMPA + KA –> Na+
NMDA –> Na+ + Ca2+
Acetylcholine - nicotinic –> Na+
inhibitory - GABA - GABAA –> Cl-
Glycine - Glycine R –> Cl-
2) Metabotropic
excitatory - Glutamate - mGluR 1-8
Acetylcholine - muscarinic (M1- M5)
inhibitory - GABA - GABAB –> prevents Ca2+ entry
Summation
1) Temporal - 1 neuron, high frequency, <15ms
2) Spatial - multiple neurons, low frequency
Refractory period
1) Absolute - Na+ channels inactive –> nothing can overcome
2) Relative - K+ channels open –> very strong repolarisation needed
Cotransmission
Vesicles containing a neuropeptide Y, substance P and VIP are co-released with the typical NTs for:
complex effects
longer lasting
prevents blockage of main NT by still carrying functions
Types of fibres
1) Proprioception, Vibration, fine touch - heavily myelinated, fast conducting, large diameter
A alpha - proprioception from muscle spindles
A beta - touch (slightly slower)
2) Pain, Temp, crude touch - unmyelinated, slower, smaller diameter
A delta - pain and temperature
C fibres - Pain, temp, itch
Types of neurons
1) Pseudounipolar - 1st order - somatosensory pathway
2) Multipolar - Reflex arc - motor neurons
3) Bipolar - Special senses
Dorsal Column
Touch and proprioception
2 major tracts -
fasciculus gracilis - medial dorsal column - lower limb (after C6)
fasciculus cuneatus - lateral dorsal column - upper limb (before C6)
1) 1st order neuron ascends in dorsal column and ipsilaterally
synapses with 2nd order neuron at either nuceli gracilis or cuneatus (lower or upper limb)
2) 2nd order neuron decussate in the low medulla
3) 2nd order neuron synapses with 3rd order neuron at the thalamus and projects into somatosensory cortex (post central gyrus)
Spinothalmic pathway
Pain and Temperature
2 major tracts -
Anterior - crude touch and pressure
lateral - pain and temperature
1) 1st order synapses with 2nd order neuron immediately at the dorsal root ganglion
2) 2nd order neuron ascends in either anterior or lateral fasciculi of the spinal cord an decussate 2/3 of the way there and continues to ascend on the contralateral side.
3) 2nd order neuron synapses with 3rd order neuron at the thalamus and projects into somatosensory cortex
Posterior Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
Direct – no decussation
2 neuron pathway –> fine movement to individual muscles
1st order neuron ascends to the upper lumbar segment/ CLARKE’S COLUMN in the IPSILATERAL POSTERIOR SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACT to the cerbellum via the INFERIOR CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLE.
Anterior Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
Double cross - Ipsilateral also
2 neuron pathway –> movement of limb as a whole
1st order neuron ascends to the upper lumbar segment where they synapse with 2nd order neurons.
2nd order neurons then ascend in the CONTRALATERAL ANTERIOR SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACT to the cerbellum via the SUPERIOR CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLE where it decussates again to terminate on the Ipsilateral side.
Acuity
This is the ability to discriminate between 2 points.
1) Density of receptors inc - inc acuity
2) size of receptors dec - inc acuity
3) connection with other second order neurons more connections = more signals
4) lateral inhibition - capacity of an excited neuron to inhibit the other. Axon collaterals activate inhibitory interneurons which then inhibit surrounding neurons = 1 clear signal
Adaptation and types of receptors
Adaptation that is the reduction of receptor (generator) potential overtime despite continued presence of a stimulus. Hence a reduction in the frequency of AP.
1) tonic receptors - slow increase in frequency overtime –> continuous
muscle stretch
merkel’s disc
ruffini
2) phasic receptors - rapidly adapt with the fast decrease in frequency
meissner corpuscle
pacinian corpuscle
olfactory
3) phasic-tonic - rapidly decrease but has long-lasting tonic response after
Supporting Cells of NS
Glial cells provide structural support and Myelin
1) astrocytes - structural support and blood brain barrier
2) oligodendrocytes - form myelin in the CNS
3) Schwann cells - form myelin in the PNS
4) ependymal cells - cells that line the ventricles and produce CSF
5) microglial - macrophages of the CNS
Fibres within the brain
1) Association fibres - same hemisphere
2) commissural fibres - crosses hemisphere
3) projection fibres - cortex to sub cortical structures
Reflex arcs
Three components - none involved in the Brain.
1) afferent sensory neuron - carries AP to spinal cord at the dorsal root.
2) interneuron (area of integration) - received AP from afferent neurons and elicits excitatory or inhibitory effects and activates AP in motor neurons
3) Motor neuron - leaves from ventral horn to effector organ skeletal muscle (somatic) or smooth/cardiac (ANS)
what brain area is rich in enkephalin synapses
periaqueductal grey
Why does some motion eg spinning lead to dizziness?
movement of the otoliths (crystals) to the semi-circular canal
Function of palatine tonsil
produces lymph which drains into the jugulodigastric group of lymph nodes
what part of the neuron does the following
- receives signal
- transmits signal
- dendrite
2. axon
what is stimulus duration based on?
duration of AP
is the stimulus duration based on the continual presence of stimulus
NO
what structure does a reflex integrate with directly?
Spine
**NOT the brain
Give an example of a monosynaptic reflex
stretch reflex
describe the structure of B type fibres
myelinated, small diameter fibres of ANS
where is melatonin produced
pineal gland
function of melatonin
induces sleep
what hormone is secreted during NREM or slow wave sleep
Growth hormone
what ion contributes to excitotoxicity within neuronal cells?
Calcium
Sweat glands are stimulated by the _________ NS.
Cholinergic Sympathetic
What produces CSF? What percentage does it produce?
choroid plexus (70%), other brain capillaries
Absorption in the subarachnoid space is done by ________.
Bulk transport
What is the value of normal ICP?
10mmHg
An increase in _______ leads to an increase in ICP.
volume
What does the 1A sensory afferents synapse on?
alpha motor neuron
**NO INTERNEURON
What do muscle spindles regulate?
length/rate of change of length
What does golgi tendon organs regulate?
tension/rate of change of tension
What is the relationship of length and tension of muscles?
they are inversely proportional
Where are the muscle spindles found?
They are found in the extrafusal fibres which wraps around the intrafusal fibres.
How is muscle length and tension balanced?
Muscle spindles –> 1A –> CNS –> alpha motor neurons –> extrafusal fibres –> length
Golgi tendon –> 1B –> CNS –> gamma motor neurons –> intrafusal fibres –> tension
What is the relationship between firing of sensory receptors and 1) stretch, 2) tone?
as firing increases, stretch increases, tone decreases
What happens to the length and tone of the muscle after the initial stretch.
stretch –> muscle contracts –> length dec, tone inc
What regulates tone?
stretch reflex
**tone is not a characteristic of the muscle itself
Describe the mechanism by which golgi tendon organ works.
detects tension
inhibits alpha motor neuron
Describe the sequence of occurrences of the knee jerk.
tapping patellar ligament –> brief stretch of the muscle –> stretch of muscle spindles –> firing of 1A sensory afferent fibres increases –> alpha motor neuron activity in quads increases –> contraction of quads –> knee extends and leg kicks forward.
What are polysynaptic reflexes?
These reflexes involve 1 or more interneurons.
When does reciprocal innervation occur? Explain the mechanism.
When a muscle (protagonist) contracts, interneurons release inhibitory NTs (such as GABA, Glycine) causing the antagonist muscle to relax.
What is the antagonist of the knee-jerk reflex?
semitendinosus
Explain the withdrawal reflex.
it is a polysnaptic reflex.
sensory neurons –> interneuron –> stimulates biceps (flexor) to contract ; inhibits contraction of the extensor triceps (antagonist)
Explain the responses of the flexors and extensors during the crossed extensor reflex.
+ flexor 1, - extensor 1
- flexor 2, + extensor 2
**spinal reflexes are not limited to one side of the body such as the crossed reflex
What are the classifications of pain and nociceptors? Are they adaptive or maladaptive?
Actue - adaptive
Subacute - adaptive
Chronic - maladaptive
Describe the characteristics of acute pain.
transient
few seconds
associated with detection of potentially tissue damaging stimuli.
Describe the characteristics of subacute pain.
associated with tissue damage and immune cell infiltration
Describe the characteristics of chronic pain.
exceeds possibility to resolve damage
may become pathological
What does it mean if a pain is said to be adaptive?
there is a protective mechanism present to prevent further damage
What are nociceptors?
pain receptors that respond to a mechanical or chemical stimuli or both.
What is the term given to describe a nociceptor that responds to both types of stimuli?
polymodal
what type of fibres are involved in the pain pathway?
Adelta and C
Describe the pain associated with A delta fibres.
highly localised first pain
afferent pathway for reflex - low threshold
Describe the pain associated with C fibres.
polymodal, poorly localised, second pain, much slower
high threshold
Where does the somatic pain pathway pass?
goes along lateral spinothalmic tract (corticospinal)
What does the salience model of drug taking imply?
Users want the drug more when reward the cues are present
The opening of a what channel is common to both graded potentials and action potentials?
Sodium channels
What nociceptive stimuli is released by the immune system?
Inflammatory chemicals such as histamine
Falx cerebri
separates hemispheres of the cerebrum
separates hemispheres of the cerebrum
Falx cerebri
tentorium cerebeli
separates cerebrum and cerebellum
separates cerebrum and cerebellum
tentorium cerebeli
what produces aqueous humour?
cilliary between cornea and lens of eye and retinal cells in the vitreous part of the eye.
What cells have the longest source of electrical signals of output to the optic nerve?
ganglion cells
What cells contribute to visual signal transduction?
horizontal
amacrine
What nucleus regulates the circadian rhythm? where is it located?
Suprachiasmatic nucleus in hypothalamus
What is the significance of a vitamin A deficiency?
nightblindness
inability ot regenerate rhodopsin
What vitamin is important in the regeneration of rhodopsin?
Vitamin A
What characteristic of light do neurons in the visual cortex respond to?
orientation
what structure within the eye is over-represented in visual processing?
fovea
What part of the brain re-inverts an image?
cortex
what is the sensory component of the occulomotor nerve?
optic nerve
eustation tube function
connects nasal cavity to middle ear
equalizes pressure and drains fluid from the throat
what is the result of a positive rinne/ weber test?
BC
what part of the inner ear controls balance?
vestibular
what part of the inner ear controls hearing?
cochlear
What comprises the continuous fluid system in the ear?
scala vestibuli
scala tympani
separation of scala vestibuli and scala tympani
helico trema directly
scala media indirectly
tectorial membrane
in the organ of corti
stiff membrane
involved in mechanotransduction of sound by shearing of cilia of hair cells
Damage to what structure within the ear causes a cochlear implant to not work?
cochlear nerve fibres
hair cells in cochlear apparatus
cilia
hair cells in vestibular apparatus
stereocilia
where is perilymph found
scala vestibuli
scala tympani
where is endolymph found
scala media
semicircular canals
rate of use of heat from metabolic oxidation of food
80kcal/hr
thermoneutral zone
range range where temperature control is maintained by vasomotor responses only
vasomotor responses
constriction and dilation of peripheral vessels
cranial nerve pain pathway
- 1st order neuron travels via trigeminal nerve to brainstem
- synapses with 2nd order neuron
- decussates and ascends into thalamus
- synapse with 3rd order neuron
- to cortex
ascending nociceptive pathway
excitatory
glutamate - AMPA, NMDA, KA
Substance P - Neurokinin 1
Descending nociceptive pathway
inhibitory
GABA - GABAa, GABAb
opioids - afferent pain fibres (3 receptors)
endocannabinoids
What substance allows for the transmission of signals from periphery to brain?
substance P
action of opiates
inhibit NT release from 1st order neurons and hyperpolarise the 2nd order neurons
types of endogenous opioid receptors
Mu and beta endorphins – increases K+ conductance on postsynaptic neuron
delta and enkephalins
kappa and dynorphins
action of endogenous opioid receptors
inhibits substance P and glutamate release by stopping ca2+ release and inhibit their effects on postsynaptic neurons, hyperpolarising them
Mu and beta endorphins – increases K+ conductance on postsynaptic neuron
where are endogenous opioid receptors found?
pre-synaptic except Mu
action of endocannabinoids
GABA released - binds to GABA receptor on post-synaptic neuron
releases 2-AG and Anandamides into synaptic cleft
bind to GPCR cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2)
analgesic effects
inhibition of adenylyl cyclase leads to ….
decrease cAMP
blocks Ca2+ channels
increase K+ channels
k+ is mediated by what endogenous opioid receptor
Mu
Gate theory
lg diameter fibres (Aalpha and Abeta) synapse with interneurons
block transmission of c fibres
what is the ‘gate’ in gate theory
interneurons
when is the gate open
no stimuli
the large fibre _____ the gate
the small _______ it
no fibre _____ it
closes
opens
closes
Allodynia
feeling of pain when not normally stimulated
hyperalgesia
enhanced sensation of pain at normal threshold
enhanced states of pain
protective measures of sensitisation
protective measures of sensitisation
types
enhanced states of pain
peripheral
central
peripheral sensitisation
release of substance p –> increase in sensitivity in surrounding cells
release of substance p –> increase in sensitivity in surrounding cells
peripheral sensitisation
central sensitisation
increase NMDA receptors on dendrites of second order neurons
increased NMDA receptors on dendrites of second order neurons
central sensitisation
pathological pain
chronic pain
neuropathic pain
neural lesions
symptoms of neural lesions
positive - increased chronic pain
negative - sensory loss/ numbness
dysfunctional pain
non-neural lesion
symptoms of non-neural lesion
positive - increased chronic pain
types of neuropathic pain
central: strokes cord injury MS PD
peripheral:
Nerve fibres
diabetic neuropathy
diabetic neuropathy
peripheral neuropathic pain
strokes
central neuropathic pain
corticobulbar pathway
conveys info from cortex to cranial nerve motor nucleus
UMN axons –> genu –> decussate just before synapsing with LMN
cell body of UMN
pre central gyrus
cell body of LMN in corticobulbar pathway
motor nucleus of trigeminal nerve
corticospinal pathway
conveys info from cortex to ventral horn cells of spinal cord
UMN axons –> posterior limb –> through midbrain, pons, pyramids
85% decussates at pyramids –> lateral corticospinal tract –> descends spinal cord and synapses with LMN
15% does not decussate –> anterior corticospinal tract –> descend and decussate near termination (LMN)
cell body of LMN in corticospinal pathway
ventral horn
decussation in lateral corticospinal tract
85%
at pyramids
decussation in anterior corticospinal tract
15%
near termination
What pathway passes through the genu?
corticobulbar pathway
What pathway passes through the posterior limb of the internal capsule?
corticospinal pathway
decussation in corticospinal pathway
just before synapsing with LMN
Extrapyramidal pathways
rubrospinal
tectospinal
vestibulospinal
rubrospinal pathway
cerebellum –> cortex
tone of flexor muscles of limbs
tectospinal pathway
superior colliculi
reflex movement to audio and visual stimuli
vestibulospinal pathway
vestibular nuclei in pons and medulla
tone of extensor muscles
tectum
posterior to aqueduct in midbrain
superior and inferior colliculi
superior colliculi
visual reflex
inferior colliculi
auditory reflex
tegmentum
all of brainstem anterior to aqueduct
homeostatic and reflexive pathways
consciousness
state of self awareness
ability to respond to stimuli
sleep
changed consciousness, can be aroused by stimulation
coma
profound unconsciousness
inability to respond and sense external stimuli
loss of the sleep-wake cycle
vegetative state
unconsciousness
when coma progresses
sleep-wake cycle
no response to external stimuli other than pain
brain dead
lack of brain activity and cranial nerve reflexes
state of self awareness
ability to respond to stimuli
consciousness
changed consciousness, can be aroused by stimulation
sleep
profound unconsciousness
inability to respond and sense external stimuli
loss of the sleep-wake cycle
coma
unconsciousness
when coma progresses
sleep-wake cycle
no response to external stimuli other than pain
vegetative state
lack of brain activity and cranial nerve reflexes
brain dead
stages of sleep
awake with eyes open awake with eyes closed NREM 1 NREM 2 NREM 3 NREM 4 REM
rhythm when awake with eyes open
beta
rhythm when awake with eyes closed
alpha
NREM 1
light sleep
slow eye movement
theta waves of high amplitude and low frequency
NREM 2
no eye movement slow brain waves bursts of rapid waves low frequency k complexes spindles
NREM 3
extremely slow
delta waves interrupted by small and faster waves
NREM 4
exclusively delta waves
REM
EEG - fast and low amplitude
EOG - very rapid eye movements
EMG - flaccid/ hypotonic (little to no wave)
light sleep
slow eye movement
theta waves of high amplitude and low frequency
NREM 1
no eye movement slow brain waves bursts of rapid waves low frequency k complexes spindles
NREM 2
extremely slow eye movement
delta waves interrupted by small and faster waves
NREM 3
exclusively delta waves
NREM 4
EEG - fast and low amplitude
EOG - very rapid eye movements
EMG - flaccid/ hypotonic (little to no wave)
REM
theta waves
NREM 1
k complexes
spindles
NREM 2
delta waves interrupted by small and faster waves
NREM 3
exclusively delta waves
NREM 4
slow eye movement
NREM 1
no eye movement
NREM 2
extremely slow eye movement
NREM 3
no response to external stimuli other than pain
vegetative state
inability to respond and sense external stimuli
coma
brain wave of: NREM 1
theta waves
brain wave of: NREM 2
k complexes
spindles
brain wave of: NREM 3
delta waves interrupted by small and faster waves
brain wave of: NREM 4
exclusively delta waves
brain wave of: REM
EEG - fast and low amplitude
EOG - very rapid eye movements
EMG - flaccid/ hypotonic (little to no wave)
How long does it take to complete 1 alternating cycle of the sleep cycle?
90 minutes
As sleep progresses, NREM sleep becomes ___A____ while REM sleep becomes ___B___.
A - less deep
B - longer
In what order does the stages of NREM disappear?
1 and 4
3
How many alternating cycles are typically undergone in one night?
5-6
what trend is observed in the sleeping patterns of infants
many short naps which eventually increase in length and decrease in number
what trend is observed in the sleeping patterns of adults
duration of sleep and length of REM becomes shorter
What age group is known to have many short naps which eventually increase in length and decrease in number
infants
What controls the sleep cycle?
RAS reticular formation
SCN (suprachiasmatic)
RAS reticular formation
controls sleep cycle
involves cholinergic neurons (Ach) and monoaminergic (monoamines)
During NREM both pathways slow down
During REM cholinergic neurons fire, monoaminergic stops
The pathways in the RAS reticular formation involve what type of neurons?
cholinergic neurons (Ach) and monoaminergic (monoamines)
What events occur during NREM of RAS reticular formation?
both pathways slow down
What events occur during REM of RAS reticular formation?
cholinergic neurons fire, monoaminergic stops
The response below is generated by the RAS reticular formation. Identify what stage of sleep has this response.
cholinergic neurons fire, monoaminergic stops
REM
The response below is generated by the RAS reticular formation. Identify what stage of sleep has this response.
both pathways slow down
NREM
SCN (suprachiasmatic)
controls sleep cycle
input from retina links light to day-night cycle
What gland makes melatonin?
pineal gland
function of melatonin
induce sleep
In a standard sleep schedule, at what point is the sleep schedule is growth hormone release?
NREM/ slow wave sleep
10pm - 2am
Where is CSF made?
tufts of capillaries that invaginate ventricles called the choroid plexus