THALAMUS Flashcards
Diencephalon
Comprised of:
* __thalamus____________
* ___hypothalamus _________
* Other associated
structures
Thalamus: Location
Sits around what ventricle ?
Two walnut-sized
structures sitting
between brainstem and
cortex
* Sits around third
ventricle superior to
midbrain
Thalamus: Structure
What time of matter and what else it’s called ?
A paired and
symmetrical grey matter
structure
* Also called:
* “Gateway to the cerebral
cortex”
* “Sensory Relay Station”
Thalamus: Functions
Thalamus: Functions
* Combines w/ several subcortical nuclei to form
a circuit
- Functions:
- Channel projections of sensory info from BS/SC to
specific cortical areas - Integrate and project motor info from BG,
cerebellum to motor cortices - Regulate cortically mediated cognitive function
- Regulates sleep/wakefulness cycles
- Functional interconnections with limbic structures
Thalamus: Consequences of damage
Thalamus: Consequences of damage
* Altered perception of sensation
- Cognitive functional deficits
– Emotional deficits
– Language impairments (range of severity)
– Altered arousal
– Motivation changes - Deficits in movement
Hypothalamus
Where it it and what are the 2 functions ?
Symptoms if damage
Located along midline anterior and inferior to
thalamic bodies
* Endocrine function
* Autonomic nervous system control
- Damage to the hypothalamus can result in a range of
symptoms, including: - Autonomic functions impacted
- Temperature regulation impaired
- Difficulty w/ sleep/wakefulness
- Emotional response
Epithalamus:
Epithalamus: Plays a role in autonomic functions
* Regulates emotion
* Regulates melatonin production
Subthalamus:
Subthalamus: Functionally related to the BG
* Subthalamic nucleus—part of the BG circuit “motor loop
Internal capsule:
What type of matter and what it divides?
Internal capsule: White matter structure
separating ____putamen______ and ____caudate_________ of BG
* Interconnections between cortex and subcortical structures
CEREBRO-VASCULAR ACCIDENTS
Impairment of blood because of what diseases ?
Impairment of Blood flow
Because of …
* Diseases that produce
alteration in blood
pressure
* Diseases of arterial walls
* Diseases that result in
blockage of the arterial
lumen
Vascular Pathology
Vascular Pathology
* Stroke: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)
* Occurs when blood supply to the brain is stopped
* If this happens for enough time, neurons will start to dies
because they will not get enough oxygen
DISPARITIES IN STROKE AND CARE
Racial Disparities in stroke risk factors
Racial Disparities in stroke risk factors
* Compared to other racial groups, African Americans are at
a higher risk for developing hypertension (high blood
pressure)
* Prevalence of diabetes in Hispanics and African Americans
is roughly double that of whites
* African American and people of East Asian decent are
more likely to have clogged arteries in the brain - at
increased risk for lacunar strokes
* Sickle cell disease (disorder that affects your blood cells’
ability to carry oxygen) more common among African
Americans and South Americans
Racial Disparities in Stroke Outcomes
Higher incidence of stroke, recurrent strokes, severe strokes and mortality strokes
Racial Disparities in Stroke Outcomes
* Higher incidence of stroke (2X for black individuals than
other racial groups)
* Higher rate of recurrent stroke (2X for black individuals
compared to other ethnic groups)
* Higher stroke mortality (black individuals 44% more likely
to die from stroke than white individuals)
(National Inpatient sample)
* More severe strokes (people with low SES and ethnic
minority background have a greater likelihood of severe
stroke than white individuals or those of a higher SES)
Implications for Health Care Providers
Implications for Health Care Providers
* Need to account for race & ethnicity & SES
* Can contribute to better preventative care for those
at greater risk of stroke and improved post-acute
rehabilitation for those who suffered from a stroke
* Providers can support health literacy by providing
patients with accessible educational materials.
What should SLPs consider
What should SLPs consider
* During assessment, consider factors such as racial
dynamics, past experiences, and AAVE (African
American Vernacular English) dialectal features
* During treatment …
* Consider materials that are inclusive (e.g., photos of
people with different ethnicities)
* Keep activities functional (e.g., ordering a meal at
Mcdonald’s vs plan a trip to Paris)
* Include dialectical differences as responses
