Neurophysiology of Symptoms - PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Question 1

what does ‘PET’ scan stand for?

Answer 1

positron emission tomography

Question 2

what does a PET scan measure?

Answer 2

the variable brain tissue uptake of an infused radio active substance

Question 3

with a PET scan, drugs can be infused to study what?

Answer 3

neurotransmitter receptor activity or concentration in the brain

Question 4

what does ‘MRI’ stand for?

Answer 4

magnetic resonance imaging

Question 5

what does an MRI help to diagnose?

Answer 5

structural abnormalities of the brain and can distinguish between grey and white matter

Question 6

on people with MDD and BPD, pet and MRI scans have showed what in the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 6

decreased activity and a reduction in the volume of grey matter

Question 7

the prefrontal cortex contains functional areas for?

Answer 7

reward, motivation, higher cognitive processes, motor planning, execution, regulating emotions, speech, elaboration of thought, voluntary motor and sensory functions - also has extensions with deeper parts of the brain

Question 8

the prefrontal cortex is part of what other cortex?

Answer 8

cerebral cortex - which covers the outermost part of the brain which is the most evolved portion of our brain

Question 9

why is the prefrontal cortex described as “chief administer of the brain”?

Answer 9

responsible for planning, problem solving, intellectual insight and judgement

Question 10

what is white matter?

Answer 10

composed primarily of myelinated axons, these are surrounded by a multi layered lipid and protein covering which electrical insulates the axon of a neuronal and increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction

Question 11

what is grey matter?

Answer 11

contains neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, axon terminals and neuroglia

Question 12

what causes anatomic changes in many areas of the brain?

Answer 12

effects of genetics, environment and deficiencies or dysregulation in the CNS concentrations of neurotransmitters

Question 13

is there a decrease or increase in BDNF in the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 13

decrease

Question 14

the decrease in neurotransmitter activity in the prefrontal cortex leads to what?

Answer 14

a decrease in neuronal volume bc pathways are not being used, so density of these pathways decreased and there is pruning of these path ways