Module 7: Childhood 1-3, Brain Lateralisation, language & learning

Question 1

Function of the thalamus?

Answer 1

• CORTICAL REGULATOR
• processing station for all sensory info (except olfactory) on its way to the cortex = GATE KEEPER TO CORTEX.
• Relaying sensation, spatial sense & motor signals to the cerebral cortex
• Regulation of consciousness, sleep & alertness
  ** 3 types of nuclei
  1. Relay - motor, sensory & limbic, receive input from periphery & relay info to cortex
  2. Association - connect areas of the cortex w each other
  3. Other - interconnected w BG & limbic system

Question 2

What are the five major functional components of thalamus?

Answer 2

• Reticular & intralaminar nuclei = arousal & pain regulation
• Sensory = regulating all sensation except olfactory
• Effector = Motor language function
• Associative = connoting cognitive functions
• Limbic = mood & motivation

Question 3

Signs of unintegrated galant reflex;

Answer 3

• Sensory sensitivity
• Unsettled behaviour
• Overly emotional - esp to touch

Question 4

Signs of unintegrated moro?

Answer 4

• Inappropriate startle to visual, auditory or kinaesthetic
• Inability to fix & focus attention
• Fear of heights or spinning movements
• Anxiety & hypersensitivity to sensory inputs

Question 5

signs of unintegrated ATNR;

Answer 5

• Hand eye coordination issues
• Visual tracking problems
• Cross cord reflex issues
• Crawling pattern interruption, failure of associative arm movements.
• Closed laterality or failure to lateralise

Question 6

What are the two language centres, what are they responsible, for and where are they located?

Answer 6

Broca (L Frontal) = motor expression of language
Wernicke (L temporal/parietal) = Comprehension of language

Question 7

Why is the tongue called the bridge to the brain?

Answer 7

Because it has many cranial nerves innervating it. Tongue stimulation is a powerful stimulus into the brainstem & cortex

Question 8

Functions of the brainstem;

Answer 8

• Alertness/ arousal
• breathing/ blood pressure
• digestion/ heart rate
• other ANS functions
• Sensory & motor relay & modulation
• Cranial nerve nuclei
• primitive reflexes
• Source of many neurotransmitters

Question 9

What are some findings of decreased cerebellar function or cerebellar lesion?

Answer 9

• hypotonia
• DDK
• Poor rhythm & timing - Dysmetria
• dysarthria
• may have tremor & broad based gait (fall towards side of deficit)
• Poor balance

Question 10

Which order does the cerebellum develop movement?

Answer 10

1; eyes & upright posture (Fastigal )
2; hips & shoulder girdle tone (Interpositus - emboli form & globose)
3; Hand coordination (Dentate)

Question 11

Examples of cerebellar rehab;

Answer 11

• extension strength
• gross motor; wheel barrow, monkey bars, bike riding, trampolining
• grapevine
• alternating hand movements - clapping (metronome)
• infinity symbols
• basket ball bouncing
• gaze stabilisation

Question 12

what is the assessment used to assess for hyper mobility?

Answer 12

Beighton score

Question 13

What is the significance of words heard per hour for a child?

Answer 13

• Best basis for estimating Childs actual life experience.
• Differences between childhood experiences is largely linked to their language accomplishment at age 3.

Question 14

Where are the two major language centres in the brain?

Answer 14

L Hemisphere;
- Broca = motor expression of language (FRONTAL LOBE)
- Wernicke = Sensory/ receptive comprehension of language (Temporal/ Parietal)

Question 15

What is Aphasia a sign of?

Answer 15

• L brain fatigue

** Broca Aphasia = expressive/ motor aphasia
- comprehension intact, non fluent speech, difficult with motor production of words

** Wernicke Aphasia = Difficulty w comprehension, fluent speech & production of words but doesn’t make sense.

Question 16

Risk factors for delayed language development/ late talking;

Answer 16

• Fm Hx of early language delay
• male
• Low birth weight
• Born < 37 weeks