Neurobiology Flashcards
What is neuroanatomy?
Neuroanatomy is the study of the structure and organization of the nervous system
What is Neurophysiology?
Neurophysiology studies the measurement and evaluation of NS function rather than nervous system architecture
What are the roles of the Frontal Lobe?
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
What could be some symptoms that there is altered function to the frontal lobe?
Changes in affect Alteration in language production Altered motor functioning Impulsive behaviour Impaired decision making Concrete thinking (no understanding of social cues)
What is the function of the broca’s area (left frontal lobe)?
Controls the muscles of speech
What is a symptom of altered function of the Broca’s area (left frontal lobe)?
Motor aphasia - This means that speech is halting with a lot of starts and stops.
What is the function of the Parietal lobe?
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.
What are some symptoms of altered function of the Parietal lobe?
Altered sensory perceptions Difficulty with the concept of time Poor ADLS Poor ability to calculate Mixing up right and left Poor attention span
What is the function of the Upper and Lower Temporal lobe?
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
What are some symptoms of altered function of the Temporal lobe?
Auditory hallucinations
Alterations in memory
Altered emotional responses
What is the function of the Wernicke’s area?
Language - Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area work together to facilitate normal communication
What are some symptoms of altered function of the Wernicke’s area?
Sensory aphasia (inability to understand spoken, written, or tactile speech symbols)
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
It is mainly responsible for seeing and receiving information via eyes
Colour recognition; recognise and name objects
What are some symptoms of altered function of the occipital lobe?
Visual hallucinations
What is the limbic system?
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
What is the role of the Amygdala?
It modulates emotional states (i.e anger, aggression, love) & affective responses to events fear reactions (i.e panic and rage).
The Amygdala is associated with which disorders?
Bipolar effective disorder, Anxiety disorders, and Autism
The thalamus is associated with which disorder?
Schizophrenia
What is the function of the Thalamus?
To filter sensory information re: emotions, mood, memory, & then directs it to appropriate regions of the cortex.
What is the function of the Hypothalamus?
It regulates most basic human functions: Sleep/rest, body temp, thirst, and physical drives.
What are the disorders associated with the hypothalamus?
Appetite and sleep problems in depression
SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)
Temperature regulation issues for Schizophrenia
What is the function of the Hippocampus?
It has a major role in encoding, consolidation, and the retrieval of memories
What disorder is associated with the Hippocampus?
Alzheimer’s disease
What is the function of the Basal Nuclei?
It helps to regulate the initiation and termination of motor movement + it is involved with cognitive processes (attention, memory and planning).
What would damage or alteration to the basal ganglia system result in?
Tremor, muscle rigidity, and involuntary muscle movements
Dysfunction of the basal ganglia system is thought to be associated with?
Huntingtons and Parkinsons disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and chronic anxiety
What are Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are what?
Extrapyramidal side effects are a group of symptoms that can occur in people taking antipsychotic medications
Why is it important to understand Neurophysiology?
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.
Many major mental disorders are thought to be due to what?
An imbalance in neutrotransmitter levels
What is a neurotransmitter?
a chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and balances signals between neurons (also known as nerve cells) and target cells throughout the body.
