Neurobiology

Question 1

What is neuroanatomy?

Answer 1

Neuroanatomy is the study of the structure and organization of the nervous system

Question 2

What is Neurophysiology?

Answer 2

Neurophysiology studies the measurement and evaluation of NS function rather than nervous system architecture

Question 3

What are the roles of the Frontal Lobe?

Answer 3

Programming + Execution of Voluntary motor functions
Higher thought processes such as planning, abstract thought, decision making, and trial - error learning
Intellectual insight and Judgement
Expression of emotion

Question 4

What could be some symptoms that there is altered function to the frontal lobe?

Answer 4

Changes in affect
Alteration in language production
Altered motor functioning
Impulsive behaviour
Impaired decision making 
Concrete thinking (no understanding of social cues)

Question 5

What is the function of the broca’s area (left frontal lobe)?

Answer 5

Controls the muscles of speech

Question 6

What is a symptom of altered function of the Broca’s area (left frontal lobe)?

Answer 6

Motor aphasia - This means that speech is halting with a lot of starts and stops.

Question 7

What is the function of the Parietal lobe?

Answer 7

Sensory perception (receiving sensory info)
Organising sensory info and communicating it to the rest of the brain
Allows for following directions on a map, reading clock, and dressing.

Question 8

What are some symptoms of altered function of the Parietal lobe?

Answer 8

Altered sensory perceptions
Difficulty with the concept of time
Poor ADLS
Poor ability to calculate
Mixing up right and left
Poor attention span

Question 9

What is the function of the Upper and Lower Temporal lobe?

Answer 9

The upper part is mainly responsible for hearing & receiving information via ears

The lower part is dedicated to short-term memory recall and expression of emotions

Question 10

What are some symptoms of altered function of the Temporal lobe?

Answer 10

Auditory hallucinations
Alterations in memory
Altered emotional responses

Question 11

What is the function of the Wernicke’s area?

Answer 11

Language - Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area work together to facilitate normal communication

Question 12

What are some symptoms of altered function of the Wernicke’s area?

Answer 12

Sensory aphasia (inability to understand spoken, written, or tactile speech symbols)

Question 13

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 13

It is mainly responsible for seeing and receiving information via eyes
Colour recognition; recognise and name objects

Question 14

What are some symptoms of altered function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 14

Visual hallucinations

Question 15

What is the limbic system?

Answer 15

The limibic system is sometimes called the emotional brain because it plays a primary role in a range of emotions. It is also involved in smell and memory

Question 16

What is the role of the Amygdala?

Answer 16

It modulates emotional states (i.e anger, aggression, love) & affective responses to events fear reactions (i.e panic and rage).

Question 17

The Amygdala is associated with which disorders?

Answer 17

Bipolar effective disorder, Anxiety disorders, and Autism

Question 18

The thalamus is associated with which disorder?

Answer 18

Schizophrenia

Question 19

What is the function of the Thalamus?

Answer 19

To filter sensory information re: emotions, mood, memory, & then directs it to appropriate regions of the cortex.

Question 20

What is the function of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 20

It regulates most basic human functions: Sleep/rest, body temp, thirst, and physical drives.

Question 21

What are the disorders associated with the hypothalamus?

Answer 21

Appetite and sleep problems in depression

SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)

Temperature regulation issues for Schizophrenia

Question 22

What is the function of the Hippocampus?

Answer 22

It has a major role in encoding, consolidation, and the retrieval of memories

Question 23

What disorder is associated with the Hippocampus?

Answer 23

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 24

What is the function of the Basal Nuclei?

Answer 24

It helps to regulate the initiation and termination of motor movement + it is involved with cognitive processes (attention, memory and planning).

Question 25

What would damage or alteration to the basal ganglia system result in?

Answer 25

Tremor, muscle rigidity, and involuntary muscle movements

Question 26

Dysfunction of the basal ganglia system is thought to be associated with?

Answer 26

Huntingtons and Parkinsons disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and chronic anxiety

Question 27

What are Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are what?

Answer 27

Extrapyramidal side effects are a group of symptoms that can occur in people taking antipsychotic medications

Question 28

Why is it important to understand Neurophysiology?

Answer 28

It will help to understand the action of many medications that are used in treatment of major mental disorders. And also explaining this to the patient and their whanau.

Question 29

Many major mental disorders are thought to be due to what?

Answer 29

An imbalance in neutrotransmitter levels

Question 30

What is a neurotransmitter?

Answer 30

a chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and balances signals between neurons (also known as nerve cells) and target cells throughout the body.