Neuroscience

Question 1

Stress response

Answer 1

complex range of responses involving the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems related to stress (real or perceived threat to homeostasis)

Question 2

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 2

part of the brain that helps with decision making (planning, rational thinking, remembering important information). During a traumatic event, “fear circuitry” kicks in and makes the prefrontal cortex less active or bypasses it altogether (i.e. being frozen, unable to call for help)

Question 3

Limbic system

Answer 3

regulates emotions and processes memories; when there is trauma, there is a disruption in the limbic system. Comprises of amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus. People with general anxiety disorder have increased activity in the limbic system

Question 4

Amygdala

Answer 4

the “fear center” of the brain; sends distress signal to hypothalamus; Trauma response starts here in the Hypothalamus: Amygdala sends a distress signal here and through the nervous system; also known as the command center; Tells the body to prepare for fight, flight, freeze or appease

Question 5

Hypothalamus

Answer 5

AKA command center; Amygdala sends a distress signal here and through the automatic nervous system which triggers the fight/flight/freeze/appease response

Question 6

Automatic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 6

in charge of involuntary body functions as breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs called bronchioles. The autonomic nervous system has two components, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 7

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

Answer 7

functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight/flight/appease/freeze response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived danger

Question 8

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 8

Calms the body; acts like a brake. It promotes the “rest and digest” response that calms the body down after the danger has passed.

Question 9

Hippocampus

Answer 9

Important in recalling memory especially long-term memories. Trauma victims may not be able to recall details of the event or it may not be chronological or linear, which is called Fragmented memory

Question 10

Neurotransmitters

Answer 10

communicates to different parts of the brain. Chemicals include serotonin (mood, sleep and appetite), norepinephrine (linked to alertness and attention) and GABA (slows down signals)

Question 11

Epinephrine (aka adrenaline)

Answer 11

Produced from adrenal glands; brings on a number of physiological changes. The heart beats faster than normal, pushing blood to the muscles, heart, and other vital organs. Pulse rate and blood pressure go up. The person undergoing these changes also starts to breathe more rapidly. Small airways in the lungs open wide. This way, the lungs can take in as much oxygen as possible with each breath. Extra oxygen is sent to the brain, increasing alertness. Sight, hearing, and other senses become sharper. Meanwhile, epinephrine triggers the release of blood sugar (glucose) and fats from temporary storage sites in the body. These nutrients flood into the bloodstream, supplying energy to all parts of the body.

Question 12

Neuroplasticity

Answer 12

brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience