Neurobiology

Question 1

Medulla Function

Answer 1

Regulates respiration, heart rate, blood pressure

Question 2

Pons

Answer 2

Regulates sleep-wake cycle

Question 3

Cerebellum

Answer 3

Regulates reflexes and balance

Coordinates movement

Question 4

Thalamus

Answer 4

Major sensory relay center

Regulates higher brain centers and peripheral nervous system

Question 5

Hypothalamus

Answer 5

Emotion and motivation

Stress reaction

Question 6

Limbic system and functions

Answer 6

Hippocampus - formation of new memories

Amygdala - governs emotions related to self-preservation

Question 7

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 7

Occipital lobe

Temporal lobe

Parietal lobe

Question 8

Occipital lobe functions

Answer 8

Receives and processes visual information

Question 9

Temporal lobe functions

Answer 9

Smell

Hearing

Balance and Equilibrium

Emotion and Motivation

Some language comprehension

Complex visual processing

Question 10

Parietal lobe functions

Answer 10

Sensory projection and association areas

Visual/spatial abilities

Question 11

Frontal lobe functions

Answer 11

Goal-directed behaviour

Concentration

Emotional control and temperament

Motor projection and association areas

Coordinates messages from other lobes

Complex problem-solving

Involved in many aspects of personality

Question 12

Common excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 12

Acetylcholine (Ach)

Norepinephrine (NE)

Question 13

Common Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Answer 13

Dopamine

Serotonin

GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)

Glutamate

Question 14

Acetylcholine Function and Malfunction

Answer 14

Function: Muscle action, learning, memory

Malfunction: Dementia, Alzheimer’s

Question 15

Dopamine Function and Malfunction

Answer 15

Function: Movement, learning, attention, emotion

• Has a lot to do with motivation and mood (minor depression)
• Plays a strong role in our rewards center

Malfunction:

• Too much = schizophrenia
• Too little = depression or Parkinson’s

Question 16

Serotonin Function and Malfunction

Answer 16

Function: Mood, hunger, sleep, general arousal level

-Major player in depression

Malfunction:

• Too much = mania
• Not enough = depression

Question 17

Norepinephrine Function and Malfunction

Answer 17

Function: Alertness, arousal

Malfunction: not enough = depression

NE has less to do with emotions than serotonin

Question 18

GABA Basic Functions

Answer 18

Inhibitory - blocks nerve impulses

If not enough = seizures, tremors, or insomnia

GABA helps to dial down brain overactivity

Question 19

Glutamate Basic Functions

Answer 19

Excitatory

Too much would over-stimulate the brain and could lead to seizures

Question 20

Neurotransmitter involved in Schizophrenia

Answer 20

Excess dopamine

GABA, glutamate, and ACh may also be associated

Question 21

Neurotransmitters involved in Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 21

Acetylcholine

Question 22

Neurotransmitters involved in Depression

Answer 22

Norepinephrine

Serotonin

Dopamine

Question 23

Neurotransmitters involved in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer 23

Norepinephrine

Serotonin

• often treated well by drugs that increase serotonin
• pts with anxiety often don’t have depression

Question 24

Neurotransmitters involved in ADD/ADHD

Answer 24

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

Question 25

Amphetamines effect on Dopamine

Answer 25

Cause the release of dopamine

May cause psychosis with a high dose

Question 26

Cocaine effect of Dopamine

Answer 26

Inhibits uptake of dopamine

Causes a huge release of catecholamines

-isn’t related to psychosis

Question 27

Nicotine effect on Dopamine

Answer 27

Stimulates release of dopamine and glutamate

Increases release of dopamine causes a rewards cycle

-more dopamine required as the addiction persists