Neuro-Psych Midterm 1 Flashcards
Neuropsychology
The study of the relationship between brain function and behavior
It draws information from many disciplines, such as biology and physiology
Human Neuropsychology
How the brain (and nervous system) influence human behavior, cognition, and emotions
IMPORTANCE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Studies which area of the brain is associated with specific cognitive domains
- Can use lesion studies
Examines what happens to the brain with age and disease
- Examining development over time and different diseases (Alzheimer’s, autism)
Has implications in various fields
- Occupational therapy
- Education (IEP)
- Speech language pathology
Trepanation
The earliest evidence of interest in the brain comes from skulls with burr holes.
May have been used for relieving pressure, treating headaches, or mental disorders.
- Thought to be used to release “evil spirits”
Phrenology
Reading a skull to determine what type of characteristic traits or personality someone had.
Procedure: Felt for bumps or ridges
Problem: based on race/ethnicity bumps might be different, so this led to racism
Classic studies of neuropsychology
- Amnesia patients
- Split-brain patients
- Blindsight patients
- Lesion studies
Amnesia
Natural or surgical lesions in the medial temporal lobe that affected the ability to form and recall new memories.
Importance: Allowed researchers to identify the specific brain structures essential for memory (Temporal lobe associated to long term memory)
→ Showed that there are different types of memory
→ Provided evidence for memory consolidation
Split Brain
Involves surgically cutting the corpus callosum in people with epilepsy.
Importance: Lateralization/cerebral asymmetry:
○ Left hemisphere = involved with speaking
○ Right hemisphere = not involved with speaking
→ This work highlighted the importance of both hemispheres in cognition
→ Revealed that each hemisphere can independently perceive and process information
→ Showed how the two hemisphere communicate
Blindsight
Patients with damage to the visual cortex, resulting in loss of conscious visual perception in parts of their visual field.
○ Often result of a stroke
→ The information is still processed by other areas of the visual system that are still intact.
Importance: Provided valuable information of the association of vision and consciousness with the human brain.
→ Helped map visual pathways
→ Improved our understanding of brain plasticity
→ Provided insight for the study of consciousness
Lesion Studies
People who have damage to one hemisphere showed differing functional abilities.
Importance: These studies showed the specialized function of the cerebral hemispheres
→ Right hemisphere = drawing, puzzles, spatial skills, and navigation
→ Left hemisphere = language functions, reading, naming, arithmetic, control of voluntary movements
The job of neuropsychologists
- Expert diagnosticians
- Characterize cognitive strengths and weaknesses
- Link 1 & 2 to:
a. Select appropriate interventions
b. Estimate patient outcomes
c. Set goals
d. Direct to proper services
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain is protected by the skull while the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Fibers that carry information to and away from the CNS
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
The part of the PNS associated with sensory and motor pathways
Has two parts:
1. Sensory pathways that bring information into the CNS (eg. skin receptors)(afferent)
- cannot be repaired
- Motor pathways that connect the brain and spinal cord to muscles (sending info out = efferent)
- can be repaired
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Subdivision of the PNS where the sensory and motor pathways influence the muscles of our internal organs
Dorsal
structures atop or within brain
- also known as superior
Medial
structures toward brainʼs midline
Lateral
structures located toward sides
Ventral
structures toward bottom of brain
- also known as inferior
Anterior
front
Posterior
back
Coronal slice
frontal view
Horizontal slice
dorsal view
Sagittal slice
medial view
Brain looks wrinkled with?
- clefts - can be fissure or sulcus
→ lateral fissures are deep enough to hit the ventricles; separates frontal and temporal lobe
→ central sulcus are not deep enough to hit the ventricles; separates frontal from parietal
- ridges - gyri
Frontal lobe
executive functioning
Parietal lobe
goal orientated movement
Temporal lobe
hearing, language, and music (encoding memory)
Occipital lobe
visual processing
Motor cortex
plan and control voluntary movements
- part of frontal lobe
Somatosensory cortex
sensory information
- part of pareital lobe
Forebrain
- Contains the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum), basal ganglia, limbic system, thalamus, and hypothalamus
- Involved with many functions including mental activities, movement, emotion, and behaviors
Basal ganglia
involved with motor movements, executive functions, behavior, and emotions
Limbic system
involved with many functions like memory, emotions, and behavior