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PMHNP Certification Exam > Neuroscience > Flashcards

Neuroscience Flashcards

1
Q

What is neural plasticity?

A

The brain physically changes and develops throughout the lifespan. Experiences and genetics continually influence brain development.

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2
Q

What factors negatively affect neural plasticity?

A

Chronic stress and chronic substance abuse

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3
Q

What factors positively affect neural plasticity?

A

Psychotherapy, psychopharmacotherapy, enjoyable activities (i.e., social, intellectual), exercise, and meditation

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4
Q

What is synaptic pruning?

A

Through adolescence, the brain continually refines its efficiency by retaining relevant/useful synapses while “pruning” or eliminating non-relevant/non-useful synapses.

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5
Q

What is neurotransmission?

A

The transfer of information from one neuron to another

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6
Q

Where does neurotransmission occur?

A

Synapse or synaptic cleft

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7
Q

Neurotransmitters are released at the synaptic cleft as a result of ____________.

A

Electrical activity (action potential)

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8
Q

What is the first phase of an action potential?

A

Depolarization is an excitatory response. During this phase, sodium and calcium ions flow into the cell.

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9
Q

What is the second phase of an action potential?

A

Repolarization is an inhibitory response. During this phase, potassium leaves the cell or chloride enters the cell.

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10
Q

Describe the path of neurotransmission.

A

Stimulated by an action potential in the axon, neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron, cross the synapse, and then bind to a specific receptor on the post-synaptic neuron.

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11
Q

What happens to the neurotransmitters that do not bind to receptors?

A

Unbound neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft by reuptake pumps and reloaded into the presynaptic neuron to be recycled in a process called “reuptake.”

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12
Q

____________ within the neuron continue neurotransmission through chemical and electrical processes.

A

Second messengers

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13
Q

____________ maintains optimal function of the synapses.

A

Healthy lifestyle

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14
Q

What are the two classes of cells in the nervous system?

A

Glia and neurons

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15
Q

What are glia and what role do they play in the nervous system?

A

Structures that form the myelin sheath around axons and provide protection and support.

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16
Q

What are neurons and what role do they play in the nervous system?

A

Nerve cells responsible for conducting impulses from one part of the body to another.

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17
Q

What are the three components of a neuron?

A

Cell body/soma, dendrites, and axon

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18
Q

____________ receive information to conduct impulse toward the cell body.

A

Dendrites

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19
Q

____________ send or conduct information away from the cell body.

A

Axons

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20
Q

What role does the synapse play in neurotransmission?

A

The synapse converts an electrical signal (action potential) from the presynaptic neuron into a chemical signal (neurotransmitter) that is transferred to the post-synaptic neuron.

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21
Q

____________ are chemicals synthesized from dietary substrates that communicate information from one cell to another.

A

Neurotransmitters

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22
Q

What are the four categories of neurotransmitters?

A

Monoamines (a.k.a. “biogenic amines”)
Amino acids
Cholinergics
Neuropeptides

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23
Q

What are the four main monoamine neurotransmitters?

A

Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Serotonin

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24
Q

What are the two main amino acid neurotransmitters?

A

Glutamine

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

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25
Q

What is the main cholinergic neurotransmitter?

A

Acetylcholine

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26
Q

What are the main neuropeptide transmitters?

A

Non-opioids (i.e., substance P and somatostatin)

Opioids (i.e., endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins

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27
Q

Where is dopamine produced?

A

Substantia nigra

Ventral tegemental area

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28
Q

What are the four dopamine pathways?

A

Mesolimbic
Nigrostriatal
Mesocortical
Tuberinfundibular pathways

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29
Q

What role does the mesolimbic dopamine pathway play in mental health?

A

The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is reward-oriented and associated with mood, disorders, psychosis, drug abuse, and positive symptoms of schizophrenia (excessive dopamine in this pathway).

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30
Q

What drugs affect the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?

A

ALL anti-psychotics (FGAs and SGAs) block dopamine receptors, specifically D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, thereby preventing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

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31
Q

What role does the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway play in mental health?

A

The nigrostriatal dopamine pathway is responsible for voluntary and involuntary movements. Deficient levels of dopamine in this pathway have been implicated in Parkinson’s disease and is responsible for EPS symptoms.

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32
Q

What drugs affect the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway?

A

FGAs block the D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway, which can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as acute dystonia, acute akathisia, antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia (TD), tardive dystonia, and tardive akathisia.

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33
Q

What role does the mesocortical dopamine pathway play in mental health?

A

The mesocortical dopamine pathway is responsible for cognition, planning and behavior. Deficient levels of dopamine in this pathway cause the negative effects of schizophrenia.

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34
Q

What role does the tuberofundibular dopamine pathway play in mental health?

A

The tuberofundibular dopamine pathway extends to the pituitary and regulates prolactin.

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35
Q

What drugs affect the tuberofundibular dopamine pathway?

A

Medications that disrupt this pathway (i.e., risperidone) can cause elevated prolactin and galactorrhea.

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36
Q

What properties differentiates atypical antipsychotics from typical antipsychotics?

A

5H2a receptor antagonist properties (SGAs also blocks D2 receptors, but so do FGAs)

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37
Q

What neurotransmitter is known as the “master molecule of addiction?”

A

Dopamine

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38
Q

Where is norepinephrine produced?

A

Locus ceruleus of the pons

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39
Q

What role does norepinephrine play in mental health?

A

It affects attention, focus, vigilance, fight or flight response, learning, and speeds up the heart rate. It has been implicated in mood, anxiety-related disorders, and ADHD.

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40
Q

Psychostimulant medications used to treat ADHD (i.e., methylphenidate, amphetamines) increase levels of what neurotransmitters?

A

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

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41
Q

Where is epinephrine produced?

A

Adrenal glands

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42
Q

Where is serotonin produced?

A

Raphe nuclei of the brainstem

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43
Q

What role does serotonin play in mental health?

A

It affects sleep, reduces aggression, and inhibits behavior. It is implicated in mood and anxiety disorders.

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44
Q

What neurotransmitter is known as the “calming neurotransmitter?”

A

Serotonin

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45
Q

What neurotransmitter is derived from tryptophan?

A

Serotonin

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46
Q

What neurotransmitter is a precursor of melatonin?

A

Serotonin

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47
Q

___% of serotonin receptors are found in the gut.

A

90%

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48
Q

What amino acid acts as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter?

A

Glutamate

49
Q

Where is glutamate found?

A

Throughout the brain

50
Q

What is the major receptor associated with glutamate?

A

NMDA receptors

51
Q

What role does glutamate play in mental health?

A

It is associated with seizure disorders, bipolar disorders (possibly), mood disorders and schizophrenia.

52
Q

What glutamate antagonist drug causes schizophrenia-like symptoms?

A

Ketamine

53
Q

What amino acid acts as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter?

A

GABA

54
Q

What role does GABA play in mental health?

A

It is implicated in anxiety disorders.

55
Q

What drugs act on GABA receptors?

A

Benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants

56
Q

____________ is a term used to describe how repeated bipolar episodes sensitize the brain to trigger more mood episodes with less extreme triggers.

A

Kindling

57
Q

What neurotransmitter is implicated in the process of kindling?

A

Glutamate

58
Q

What roles does histamine play in mental health?

A

Histamine modulates arousal, wakefulness, feeding behavior, and neuroendocrine responsiveness. It can be excitatory or inhibitory.

59
Q

Where are histamine receptors found?

A

Widely distributed within the CNS with high levels in the thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum

60
Q

What causes the sedation and weight gain associated with antipsychotics and antidepressants?

A

H1 receptor antagonism

61
Q

Where is acetylcholine produced?

A

Basal nucleus of Meynert

62
Q

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in the _____________ nervous system.

A

Autonomic

63
Q

What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

64
Q

What effects does the sympathetic nervous system have when triggered?

A

“Fight or flight” symptoms such as increased heart rate and breathing and increased pupil size. It also causes decreased urination and gastric motility.

65
Q

What effects does the parasympathetic nervous system have when triggered?

A

“Rest and digest” symptoms such as increased gastric motility and urination and a general slowing of vital signs.

66
Q

What brain structures make up the “reptilian brain?”

A

Brainstem

Cerebellum

67
Q

What three structures make up the brainstem?

A

Pons
Medulla oblongata
Midbrain

68
Q

What are the functions of the brainstem?

A

It regulates BP, respiration, arousal, and digestion and relays information to the cerebellum.

69
Q

Damage to the brainstem results in what symptoms?

A

Impaired inhibition
Anxiety
Depression,
Personality changes

70
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the brainstem?

A

PTSD
Paralysis
Psychosis
Coma/death

71
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

It coordinates balance, posture, movement, memory, impulse control, cognition, and language.

72
Q

Damage to the cerebellum results in what symptoms?

A

Ataxia
Tremors
Emotional blunting
Lack of inhibition

73
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the cerebellum?

A

Autism

ADHD

74
Q

What are the functions of the amygdala?

A

Regulates basic, powerful emotions, fear, rage, and sexual desire

75
Q

Damage to the amygdala results in what symptoms?

A

Irritability
Anger
Aggression

76
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the amygdala?

A 
PTSD
Panic disorder
Depression
Autism
Schizophrenia
77
Q

What are the functions of the hippocampus?

A

Involved in memory and converting short-term memory into long-term memory, and learning

78
Q

Damage to the hippocampus results in what symptoms?

A

Impaired memory and attention

79
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the hippocampus?

A

PTSD
Alzheimer’s dementia
Major depression

80
Q

What are the functions of the thalamus?

A

Acts as a relay station for sensory information and influences affect, mood, and body movements associated with strong emotion

81
Q

Damage to the thalamus results in what symptoms?

A

Impairment when people are overwhelmed with information

82
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the thalamus?

A

Schizophrenia

83
Q

What are the functions of the hypothalamus

A

Maintains homeostasis and controls basic needs (i.e., drinking, temperature regulation, sleep-wake cycle)

84
Q

Damage to the hypothalamus results in what symptoms?

A

Disturbed sleep
Eating
Changes in body temperature
Emotional instability

85
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the hypothalamus?

A

Depression
Anorexia
Violence

86
Q

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex (the “thinking brain”)?

A

Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe

87
Q

What are the four subdivisions of the frontal lobe?

A

Motor strip
Supplemental motor area
Broca’s area
Prefrontal cortex

88
Q

What are the key functions of the frontal lobe?

A

Executive functioning, working memory, reasoning, higher-order planning, prioritizing, sequencing, insight/judgment, decision making, impulse control, behavioral cueing, intelligence, abstraction
Expressive speech (Broca’s area)
Personality development
Controlling voluntary motor activity of specific muscles and movement of multiple muscles (premotor area)

89
Q

Damage to the Broca’s area results in what condition?

A

Expressive aphasia (difficulty forming words/sentences)

90
Q

Prefrontal cortex has what three regions?

A

Orbitofrontal region
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
Medial prefrontal cortex

91
Q

True or false: Functional MRI studies demonstrate the orbitofrontal region, anterior cingulate and insula work together to seek and recognize human love.

A

True

92
Q

Damage to the ______________________ region results in lack of inhibition, promiscuity, poor judgment, defects in executive functioning.

A

Orbital frontal region

93
Q

What two brain structures are thought to work together to control emotional regulation and processing?

A

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)

Amygdala

94
Q

True or false: The medial prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain’s reward system.

A

True

95
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the frontal lobe?

A 
Frontal lobe syndrome
Schizophrenia
Executive dysfunction syndrome
Depression
Bipolar 
ADHD 
Anxiety
96
Q

What are the key functions of the parietal lobe?

A

Primary sensory area (receiving and evaluating sensory information excluding smell, hearing, and vision)
Taste
Processing tactile and proprioceptive information
Reading and writing
Comprehension of language

97
Q

Damage to the parietal lobe results in what symptoms?

A

Sensory-perceptual disturbances

Trouble recognizing familiar people, objects (agnosia) or surroundings

98
Q

What are the key functions of the occipital lobe?

A

Primary visual cortex

Integrates vision with other sensory information

99
Q

Damage to the occipital lobe results in what symptoms?

A

Visual field defects
Blindness
Color blindness
Visual hallucinations

100
Q

What are the key functions of the temporal lobe?

A

Receptive speech or language comprehension (Wernicke’s area)
Primary auditory area
Memory
Emotion
Integration of vision with sensory information

101
Q

Damage to the temporal lobe results in what symptoms?

A

Visual or auditory hallucinations
Receptive aphasia (inability to understand words)
Amnesia

102
Q

What mental health disorders/symptoms are attributed to the temporal lobe?

A

Auditory hallucinations in depression, mania, and schizophrenia

103
Q

What structures in the brain form the limbic system or “emotional brain?”

A

Amygdala
Hippocampus
Thalamus
Hypothalamus

104
Q

What are the functions of the dopamine pathways?

A 
Reward (motivation)
Pleasure, euphoria
Motor function (fine tuning)
Compulsion 
Perseveration
105
Q

What are the functions of the serotonin pathways?

A

Mood
Memory processing
Sleep
Cognition

106
Q

Alzheimer’s disease and impaired memory result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased acetylcholine

107
Q

Parkinsonian symptoms result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Increased acetylcholine

Decreased dopamine

108
Q

Schizophrenia and psychosis result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Increased dopamine

Decreased serotonin

109
Q

Substance abuse results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased dopamine

Decreased opioid neuropeptides

110
Q

Anhedonia results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased dopamine

111
Q

Depression results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased serotonin

Decreased norepinephrine

112
Q

Anxiety results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased serotonin Decreased GABA

Increased norepinephrine

113
Q

OCD results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased serotonin

114
Q

Bipolar affective disorder results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Increased glutamate

115
Q

Psychosis from ischemic neurotoxicity or excessive pruning results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Increased glutamate

116
Q

Memory and learning difficulty result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased glutamate

117
Q

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Increased dopamine (in mesolimbic pathway)

118
Q

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia result from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A 
Decreased dopamine (in mesocorticol pathway)
Decreased glutamate
119
Q

ADHD results from what neurotransmitter imbalance?

A

Decreased dopamine

Decreased norepinephrine

PMHNP Certification Exam (9 decks)

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