Neurological Functions & Lesions Flashcards
lateral nucleus (hypothalamus)
hunger; stimulated by ghrelin
lesion = anorexia, failure to thrive (infants)
ventromedial nucleus (hypothalamus)
satiety; stimulated by leptin
lesion = hyperphagia
anterior nucleus (hypothalamus)
cooling, parasympathetic
posterior nucleus (hypothalamus)
heating, sympathetic
suprachiasmatic nucleus (hypothalamus)
circadian rhythm
supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei (hypothalamus)
synthesize ADH and oxytocin
preoptic nucleus (hypothalamus)
thermoregulation, sexual behavior; releases GnRH
failure of GnRH-producing neurons to migrate from olfactory pit => Kallmann syndrome
ventral posterolateral nucleus (thalamus)
vibration, pain, pressure, proprioception (conscious), light touch, temperature
input: spinothalamic and dorsal columns/medial lemniscus
ventral posteromedial nucleus (thalamus)
face sensation, taste
input: trigeminal and gustatory pathway
lateral geniculate nucleus (thalamus)
vision
input: CNII, optic chiasm, optic tract
medial geniculate nucleus (thalamus)
hearing
input: superior olive and inferior colliculus of tectum
ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei (thalamus)
motor
input: basal ganglia, cerebellum
limbic system
structures: hippocampus, amygdalae, mammillary bodies, anterior thalamic nuclei, cingulate gyrus
functions: feeding, fleeing, fighting, feeling, and sex
mesocortical dopaminergic pathway
ventral tegmental area => cortex
decreased activity: negative symptoms (anergia, apathy, lack of spontaneity)
mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway
ventral tegmental area => nucleus accumbens
increased activity: positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations)
nigrotriatal dopaminergic pathway
substantia nigra => dorsal striatum
decreased activity: extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia)
tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic pathway
hypothalamus => pituitary gland
decreased activity: increased prolactin (decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, galactorrhea, gynecomastia)
lateral cerebellar lesions
affect voluntary movement of extremities; propensity to fall toward injured (ipsilateral) side
medial cerebellar lesions
truncal ataxia (wide-based cerebellar gait), nystagmus, head tilting; bilateral motor deficits affecting axial and proximal limb musculature
basal ganglia structures
striatum: putamen + caudate nucleus
lentiform: putamen + globus pallidus
ACA-MCA watershed infarct
proximal upper and lower extremity weakness
PCA-MCA watershed infarct
higher-order visual dysfunction
venous sinus thrombosis
increased ICP (headache, seizures, papilledema, focal neurologic deficits)