Neuroscience II Flashcards
Structure of Brain
Dorsal: Back of axis
Ventral: Front of axis
Rostral: Towards top of axis
Caudal: Bottom of axis
Medial: Areas that are more central or towards the midline of the brain
Lateral: Regions toward the outside of the brain
Lesion Studies Pros/Cons
P: A direct measure of a brain structure’s function
C: Hard to selectively target particular regions and draw conclusions
Single Cell Recording
Small electrode inserted into the nervous tissue with the tip held just outside the cell body of an individual neuron. Nural activity is recorded while a task is performed, or a stimulus is presented
Structural Neuroimaging Techniques
CT Scan: A series of X-ray slices of the brain are taken and pieced together to produce a relatively quick and inexpensive picture of the brain (Diagnose brain injury)
MRI: used to localize tissue precisely throughout the brain (Longer and more expensive)
Functional Neuroimaging Techniques
PET Scans: A radioactive tracer of glucose or oxygen is injected into the bloodstream (Invasive) relates to cognitive tasks like language and memory
fMRI: Measures the blood oxygen dependant signal and uses many of the same principles as the MRI. Able to measure the relative use of oxygen throughout the brain
EEG: recorded through the scalp by wearing a cap of very sensitive electrodes (nosy and difficult to interpret)
Hindbrain
At base of the skull. Consists of medulla, pons, reticular formation, and the cerebellum.
- Primarily involved in the regulation of vital bodily functions
Medulla
Functions to regulate breathing, digestion, heart rate, and autonomic reflexes
Pons
Movement, auditory perception, and emotional processing
Reticular Formation
Arousal and motivation, circadian rhythms, and posture and balance.
Cerebellum
Facilitates coordinated movement
Midbrain
Relatively small region that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain
- Contains Tectum and tegmentum
Tectum
Contains two primary structures
- Superior Colliculus: Involved in eye movements and visual reflexes.
- Inferior Colliculus: Involved in auditory integration
Tegmentum
Includes Red nuclus and substantia nigra
- Red Nucleus: Contributes to motor control
- Substantia Nigra: Plays a role in reward related behaviours through the release of the neurotransmitter, dopamine
Forebrain
Largest region of brain
Hypothalamus
Controls several integrative functions
- Exhibits regulatory roles through neurons via connections with pituitary gland
Pituitary Gland
lies inferior to the hypothalamus
- Two subregions (anterior and posterior)
Anterior Pituitrary Gland
Receives signals form the brain, usually via the hypothalamus and releases stimulating hormones to regulate other important endocrine glands
Posterior Pituitary Gland
The extension of the hypothalamus and releases two hormones: oxytocin and vasopressin
Oxytocin
Involved in basic physiological functions (lactation, and uterine contractions).
- May also play a role in bonding love and trust
Vasopressin
Vital blood hormone that regulates levels of thirst by interacting with the kidneys to regulate glucose levels
Thalamus
Axons from every sensory modality synapse in the thalamus, which processes and relays the information selectively to areas of the cerebral cortex
- in center of brain
Amygdala
Receives sensory information and plays a role in decoding emotions, particularly stimuli that may be threatening
- below surface of temporal lobe
Hippocampus
Involved in the process of memory
- in temporal lobe
Cerebral Cortex
Controls information processing and cognition.
Folds over itself and forms the gyri and sulci
Gyri
Often linked to specific mental functions
Sulci
Useful in indicating where neural tissue responsible for one function ends and the next function begin
Frontal Lobe
Front of brain.
Processes decision making and higher-order thoughts
Occipital Love
Very back of brain.
Exclusively responsible for visual processing
Parietal Lobe
Between the frontal and occipital lobe
Processes touch and spatial location.
Temporal Lobe
Wraps around both sides of the brain near your temples
Processes visual stimuli and primary auditory cortex
