MODULE 15

Question 1

what are the 7 functions of cognition?

Answer 1

1. attention
2. memory
3. executive functions (planning, problem solving, self-monitoring, self-awareness, & meta-cognition)
4. comprehension of speech & lang
5. visual perception
6. praxis (motor planning)

Question 2

what is metacognition?

Answer 2

“thinking about thinking” - higher order thinking which enables understanding, analysis, and control of one’s cognitive processes

“thinking about others thinking” - allows us to predict and reflect on the thinking of others

Question 3

what is functional cognition?

Answer 3

how an individual utilizes/integrates their thinking and processing skills in order to accomplish everyday activities

Question 4

Name and briefly describe the 3 types of fibers found in the cortex:

Answer 4

1. projection fibers (ascending and descending) - these fibers connect cortical and subcortical structures; aka all of the tracts we have learned ab
2. callosal/commissural fibers - connect bilateral brain structures (like the corpus callosum)
3. association/cortico-cortical fibers - fibers connecting gyri within the same hemisphere; 2 types:
   - short: connect intra-lobular gyri
   - long: connect inter-lobular gyri

Question 5

List the 6 layers of the neocortex

Answer 5

Please Excuse Grandma. Ecstasy Pills “I Gave” In Private Metabolized Fast
I: plexiform
II: external granular
III: external pyramidal
IV: internal granular (“I Gave = input zone!)
V: internal pyramidal (output zone!)
VI: muliform layer

Question 6

which layer of the neocortex gives rise to projection fibers?

Answer 6

layer IV (input zone) – makes sense bc projection fibers bring in input from subcortical structures

Question 7

which layer of the neocortex gives rise to association (cortico-cortical) fibers?

Answer 7

II and III

Question 8

describe granule cells vs pyramidal cells

Answer 8

granule cells are interneurons (help disseminate incoming information) that have shorter axons and remain within the cortex

pyramidal cells have long axons that project out of the cortex

Question 9

describe the cytoarchitecture of the cortex:

Answer 9

homotypical: all 6 layers of the neocortex are clearly represented

heterotypical - layers vary in thickness; 2 types:
- granular heterotypical cortex = thick layer IV (input zone) and thin layer V (output zone)
- agranular cortex = thick layer V (output zone) and thin layer IV (input zone)

Question 10

give an example of an area that is considered to be heterotypical granular cortex

Answer 10

Primary sensory cortex (lots of sensory info coming IN, want more granular cells to disseminate info)

Question 11

give an example of an area that is considered to be heterotypical agranular cortex

Answer 11

primary motor cortex (lots of info sent OUT, want more pyramidal cells that project to subcortical structures to execute motor plans)

Question 12

what are the 4 functional categories of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 12

1. motor
2. primary sensory
3. unimodal association
4. multimodal association

Question 13

what are the 3 motor areas of the cortex?

Answer 13

1. PMC
2. PreMC
3. SMA

Question 14

list the 4 primary areas of the cortex

Answer 14

1. primary motor cortex
2. primary somatosensory cortex
3. primary visual cortex
4. primary auditory cortex

Question 15

what is unimodal association? where are unimodal association areas located?

Answer 15

info is processed in a primary region and conveyed to association areas via cortico-cortical fibers to integrate basic info from primary areas w context and info from other areas to generate an overall perception

aunimodal association areas are loc adjacent to primary areas

Question 16

list and briefly describe the 3 unimodal association cortices

Answer 16

1. visual association cortex: integrates basic elements of visual perception into an overall perception of the visual world
2. somatosensory association cortex: integrates somatosensory information into an overall perception of the body
3. auditory association cortex: integrates basic elements of auditory sensation into an overall perception of auditory information

Question 17

what is multimodal association?

Answer 17

larger areas of the cortex that receive info from many sensory modalities to create a broader, more complete understanding of ourselves/out env

Question 18

what are the 5 functions of multimodal association?

Answer 18

1. arousal and attention
2. language
3. visuospatial relations
4. praxis (motor control)
5. executive functions

Question 19

Generally describe hemispheric lateralization

Answer 19

right brain –> big picture, explains context

left brain –> detail-oriented

Question 20

list the specific lateralized functions of the left hemisphere:

Answer 20

1. process sensory stimuli from RIGHT side of body
2. motor control of RIGHT side of body
3. speech, lang, and comprehension
4. analysis and calculations
5. time and sequencing
6. recognition of words, letters, and numbers

Question 21

list the specific lateralized functions of the right hemisphere:

Answer 21

1. sensory stimulus from LEFT side of body
2. motor control of LEFT side of body
3. creativity
4. spatial ability
5. context/perception
6. recognition of faces, places, and objects

Question 22

which 5 functions are left hemisphere dominant?

Answer 22

1. praxis (coordination of movement)
2. comprehension
3. speech
4. verbal memory
5. contralateral motor and sensory control

Question 23

which 6 functions are right hemisphere dominant?

Answer 23

1. attention/orientation
2. emotions
3. visuospatial processing
4. musical ability
5. visual and tactile memory
6. contralateral motor and sensory control

Question 24

what is the first step of attention? what mediates this step?

Answer 24

arousal/alertness, mediated by the reticular activating system

Question 25

list and describe the 5 different types of attention:

Answer 25

1. attentional capture: automatic or reflexive orienting to a stimulus 2. selective attention: goal-oriented focus, able to ignore extraneous stimuli 3. sustained attention: ability to keep focus over time (vigilance) 4. divided attention: ability to perform 2 or more tasks or process stimuli from more than one source at the same time 5. alternating attention: rapid switching bw tasks/skills/cognitive sets

Question 26

What general areas of the brain are thought to be important for mediating attention?

Answer 26

frontal and parietal association areas

Question 27

what specific areas are thought to be important for mediating attention, and what role do they play?

Answer 27

increased activity in ACC, RIGHT dlPFC, PFC, and right parietal cortex REMEMBER: attention is right side dominant *if ur giving me attention, u are in ur right mind (literally) (lol)

Question 28

Where are expressive language functions localized in the cortex?

Answer 28

Broca's area (LEFT inferior frontal gyrus) *broca → boca (mouth, in spanish) → use mouth to speak → language expression) *REMEMBER: Language is Left hemisphere dominant

Question 29

Where are receptive language functions localized in the cortex?

Answer 29

Wernicke's area (LEFT inferior parietal lobe and posterior temporal gyrus) *REMEMBER: Language is Left hemisphere dominant

Question 30

what cortical structures are involved in the processing of language that allow us to repeat a heard word?

Answer 30

Primary auditory cortex* --> wernickes (left inferior parietal/posterior temporal gyri)--> Sent thru arcuate fasciculus to Brocas (left inferior frontal gyrus)--> primary motor cortex (posterior frontal)

Question 31

what cortical structures are involved in the processing of language that allow us to speak a written word?

Answer 31

primary visual cortex* --> wernickes (left inferior parietal/posterior temporal gyri)--> Sent thru arcuate fasciculus to Brocas (left inferior frontal gyrus)--> primary motor cortex (posterior frontal)

Question 32

list the 4 types of aphasia

Answer 32

1. fluent 2. non-fluent 3. conduction 4. global

Question 33

describe fluent aphasia

Answer 33

"receptive aphasia" wernickes damage to comprehension language functions --> speak fluently, but make no sense

Question 34

list some of the clinical presentations of fluent aphasia

Answer 34

agraphia (impairments in writing) alexia (inability to read) clear speech, normal prosody, but unintelligible content impaired awareness of deficit

Question 35

describe non-fluent aphasia

Answer 35

"expressive aphasia" broca's damage to speech language functions --> understand what is said to them and what they want to say, but cannot express it

Question 36

list some of the clinical presentations of non-fluent aphasia

Answer 36

Might still be able to get key words out, but the grammar is off Might have problems with repeating words Might have agraphia (impairments in writing) Usually able to understand spoken and written words These patients are usually aware of the deficits – they can UNDERSTAND they are not saying what they want to say, frequently frustrated by the deficit

Question 37

describe conduction aphasia

Answer 37

disruption of the arcuate fasciculus which connects wernickes and brocas spontaneous expression is intact and comprehension is functional, but have trouble repeating phrases or translating/interpreting what they have heard into an appropriate reply

Question 38

describe global aphasia

Answer 38

damage to both Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, usually due to occlusion of the internal carotid artery left hemispheric damage Loss of virtually all language May be able to use some gestures

Question 39

what are the 2 types of apraxia

Answer 39

ideomotor and ideational

Question 40

describe ideomotor apraxia and ADL impairments

Answer 40

loss of motor planning ability so that tasks cannot be performed but idea is present (ideation = in tact) - performance problem; patients struggle w timing, sequence, amplitude, configuration, proprioception Clumsy movement patterns Difficulty readjusting arm/hand when crossing midline Impaired manipulation Awkward grasp patterns Gross mobility impaired secondary to axial involvement (i.e. bed mobility)

Question 41

describe ideational apraxia and ADL impairments

Answer 41

inability to coordinate activities w multiple sequential steps or movements - conceptual problem; patients may be able to name a tool or verbally tell you what a tool is used for, but do not know what to do w it Using razor to brush teeth Eating egg w the shell Lathering skin lotion into hair Eating soap Performance latency (delay in network communication) Does not perform

Question 42

what are ADL impairment examples for visuospatial relations dysfunction?

Answer 42

Can’t locate scissors in a cluttered drawer Misjudges distance when placing toothbrush under running water. Can’t orient shirt to self Can’t find sleeve in a monochromatic shirt Spills milk when pouring from container Misjudges height of curb