Reticular Formation Flashcards
where do you find the reticular formation in the brainstem? [1]
where do you find the reticular formation in the brainstem? [1]
central core of the brainstem: consists of scattered clusters of neurons in between A & D axons
what are the functions of the reticular formation? [5]
- somatic motor control
- CV & resp control
- pain modulation
- **sleep & conciousness
- habituation**
how is the recitular formation structurally divided?
lateral side: sensory inputs
medial side: motor outputs
midline: pain filtering inputs
what does the lateral reticular formation do? [3]
what does the medial reticular formation do? [1]
lateral reticular formation:
- *- reflex centre:** close to brainstem motor nuclei
- **swallowing, coughing, sneezing, vasomotor and vomiting centre
- cetnre for mastication co-ordination, lateral gaze movement & emotional facial expression**
medial reticular formation:
- axonds ascend (cerebellum) or descend (control of muscle tone, resp, & arterial pressure)
ascending reticular formation (RAS) functions?
- where doe it get inputs from? [1]
- stimulation causes WHAT? [1]
descending reticular formation functions? [2]
- has inputs from long sensory ascending tracts (e.g. spinothalamic. spinocerebellar etc) give collaterals to RAS: therefore all sensations activate it
- stimulation causes ‘sleep arousal’ - causes delta wave blcok
descending reticular formation functions? [2]
modulates pain
controls motor function
R. F. HAS MANY AFFERENT AND EFFERENT CONNECTIONS !!
the majority of neurons in reticular formation use what type of NTs?
use **monoamines:
- ** dopamine
- noradrenaline
- serotonin
substantia nigra is part of basal ganglia.
What does it control? [1]
which monoamine does it use? [1]
what is the ventral tegmental area associated with? [1]
substantia nigra is part of basal ganglia.
What does it control: control of movement-iniation / switching
which monoamine does it use: dopamine
what is the ventral tegmental area associated with: organising behaviour; focusing & attention, reward & motivation (uses dopamine)
- get schizophrenia from disruption
which part of the RF is associated with release of noradrenaline? [1]
which part of the RF is associated with release of noradrenaline? [1]
locus coeruleus
what is locus ceruleus function? [2]
where do the ascending and descending tracts from locus ceruleus funcion go? [2]
what is locus ceruleus function? [2]
- sympathetic NS control centre - activated by hypothalamus
- activates the motor system so our reflexes are faster (dont think ! respond !!)
- inhibit pain
- ascending fibres to the forebrain activate a central symp system –> behavioual alertnes and arousal
- descending fibres to reticulospinal tracat activate preganglionic sympathetics
which part of the RF is associated with release of serotonin?
which part of the RF is associated with release of serotonin?
raphe nuclei - midline nuclei
raphe nuclei:
what is function
a)rostrally
b) caudaully
(probs dont need to know so much !)
deficits in seratonin are linked to which mental health disorders? [4]
rostrally: inhibits basal forebrain cholinergic GABA cells to produce arousal
caudally: modulates pain perception and facilitates muscle activity
deficits in seratonin are linked to which mental health disorders? [4]
OCD, depression, anxiety & aggression
which monoamines are associated with RF?
why does this complicate things?
which monoamines are associated with RF?
noradrenaline
dopamine
serotonin
why does this complicate things?
they overlap - not singular effects
what is role of Ach in RF?
- where found? [2]
- functions? [1]
- where found?
- *pedunculopontine & lateral dorsal tegmental nuclei of brainstem**
- functions?
- *cortical arousal and sensory filtering, moveement**
