Limbic system, etc.

Question 0

Mirror neurons

Answer 0

premotor and parietal cells (in ventral premotor and rostral inferior parietal lobe areas)

• fire similarly when self performs action OR watch action performed
• -> neurophysiological mech for imitation and empathy

Question 1

Main structures of limbic system

Answer 1

• hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus
• amygdala
• entorhinal cortex
• cingulate cortex
• prefrontal cortex
• septal nuclei

Question 2

Autism and empathy

Answer 2

reduced activity shown in frontal lobe in response to facial expressions,
–> reduced empathy matched w/ reduced mirror neuron activity

Question 3

Antipsychotic drugs

Answer 3

high binding affinity to dopamine D2 receptors = high effectivity,
1st gen: Chlorprozamine, haloprol
– side effects: sedation, hypotension
2nd gen: “Atypical” ie: clozapine (fewer side effects)

Question 4

Antidepressant drugs

Answer 4

increase monoamine transmission by…

a) inhibit neuronal reuptake
b) inhibit degradation (enzymatic –> MAO-A/B)

Question 5

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Answer 5

Thiamine (B12) deficiency, = severe neurological disorder
* esp. in chronic alcoholism.
= damage to medial thalamus and mammillary bodies
–> amnesia, confabulation, apathy and decreased insight

Question 6

Poikilothermic

Answer 6

= manner of body temperature regulation,
where change behavior to reach set pt temp.
(in reptiles and amphibians)

Question 7

Cingulate Gyrus

Answer 7

responsible for motivation,

• Output to Hippocampus
• feedback Input from Anterior Thalamic nucleus

Question 8

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 8

==> goal-directed behavior, moral reasoning and logical processing.
inhibits Amygdala.

Question 9

Hippocampus

Answer 9

responsible for learning and memory (esp. declarative and spatial);
Input = from Cingulate gyrus
Output = to Septal nuclei and Mammillary bodies

Question 10

Mesolimbic System

Answer 10

=> pleasure, addiction, euphoria, etc.
*uses Dopamine as NT, stimulated by cocaine and amphetamines
parts:
PFC, Amygdala, Hippocampus

Question 11

amygdala

Answer 11

part of limbic system, for emotional memories;
* inhibited by Prefrontal cortex
Output: to Septal nuclei and Hypothalamus

Question 12

Septal Nuclei

Answer 12

for reward and associative learning,

• lesion –> decreased fear conditioning
• associated w/ nucleus basalis of Meynert (& Alzheimer’s)

Question 13

Hypothalamus

Answer 13

in limbic system: regulates stress,
* uses NE as NT*
input = from amygdala and septal nuclei
Output = to brainstem/spinal cord (+ Raphe nuclei)

Question 14

Raphe Nuclei

Answer 14

= in brainstem and spinal cord,

* use serotonin (5-HT) as NT

Question 15

anterior thalamic nuclei

Answer 15

in limbic system, –> alertness.
* feedback to cingulate gyrus
input = from mammillary bodies

Question 16

Urbach-Weithe Disease

Answer 16

bilateral calcifications of Anterior Medial Temporal lobe and Amygdala;

• -> decreased emotional processing, loss of emotional memory,
• ** decreased fear conditioning!

Question 17

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer 17

increased activity in amygdala and hypothalamus bc decreased PFC activity.
–> hyperarousal, avoidance of similar situations, anxiety, flashbacks

Question 18

Schizophrenia

Answer 18

–> enlarged lateral ventricles and cortical thinning,
= fragmented thought process, decreased emotional response.
+: delusion, hallucination
-: apathy, social withdrawal, decreased working memory and executive f(x)
Treatment: serotonin/dopamine R agonists

Question 19

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer 19

decreased monoamine f(x) –> decreased activity of Ant. Cingulate gyrus and Septal Nuclei/Nuc. Accumbens

• MA gene modulation by CREB
  treatment: MAO inhibitors, SSRIs (block reuptake), DBS

Question 20

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 20

Hippocampal and PFC deficits, neurodegenerative

• amyloid plaques & neurofibrillary tangles (entire neocortical surface!)
• genetic (100%) if APP, PSEN1/2 mutations
• sporadic: increase risk if have ApoE2,3,4 polymorphism
• -> dementia, poor planning/spatial/judgement, change mood

Question 21

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”)

Answer 21

from concussions/head trauma (to PFC and Cingulate cortex),
cortex shrinks and ventricles enlarge, increased tau deep in brain.
–> depression/suicide/mood disorders

Question 22

posterior pituitary function

Answer 22

releases:
1. vasopressin –> vasoconstrict & increase H2O resorption
2. Oxytocin –> milk ejection, uterine contraction, sexual arousal/ejaculation

Question 23

Anterior Pituitary Function

Answer 23

releases:
1. GH (I– somatostatin)
2. Prolactin (I– Dopamine)
3. TSH/FSH/LH
4. ACTH/B-endorphin

Question 24

Diabetes Insipidus:

Answer 24

due to decreased vasopressin secretion,

Treatment: vasopressin analog that = anti-diuretic but Not vasoconstrictor;

Question 25

Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea

Answer 25

disease: hyperProlactinemia + stop menstruating.
#1 cause: micro-adenoma in pituitary
–> increase prolactin, decrease LH and FSH
Treatment: 1. Dopamine R agonist
2. Surgery to remove tumor