Neurophysiology + anatomy in psychiatry

Question 1

Frontal lobe functions

Answer 1

motor cortex
executive function
decision making
language (motor expression of speech)
working memory
inhibition

Question 2

Temporal lobe functions

Answer 2

memory
language comprehension
deductive reasoning
face recognition
visual field processing

Question 3

Occipital lobe function

Answer 3

vision

Question 4

Parietal lobe functions

Answer 4

processing somatosensory information including touch, pain, temperature + joint position

Question 5

Cerebellum functions

Answer 5

balance
truncal musculature instability

Question 6

Reticular formation function

Answer 6

diffuse region of grey matter throughout the brainstem responsible for sleep and wakefulness

Question 7

Limbic system functions

Answer 7

epicentre of emotional and behavioural expression (5Fs):
- feeding (satiety + hunger)
- forgetting (memory)
- fighting (emotional response)
- family (sexual reproduction + maternal instincts)
- fornicating (sexual arousal)

Question 8

What are the major neurotransmitters?

Answer 8

serotonin
norepinephrine
acetylcholine
glutamate
GABA
dopamine

Question 9

Name the dopamine pathways

Answer 9

nigrostriatal - controls motor function + movement
mesolimbic - involved in pleasurable sensations, euphoria, hallucinations + psychosis
mesocortical - cognitive + affective symptoms
tuberoinfundibular - controls prolactin secretion

Question 10

What is an adverse effect of MAO-is?

Answer 10

hypertensive crisis when eating foods rich in tyramine

Question 11

What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?

Answer 11

GABA