Understanding the Brain

Question 1

What impact did the Neolithic period have on neuroscience?

Answer 1

• found that when the right side of the brain is damaged, the left side suffered
• performed cranial trepanation (to release evil spirits)

Question 2

What impact did the Ancient Egyptian period have on neuroscience?

Answer 2

• the earliest written reference to the brain
• they believed the heart was the main centre of human function not the brain

Question 3

What impact did the Ancient Greek period have on neuroscience?

Answer 3

• the 4 humours (yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, blood)
• Aristotle - “the brain is not responsible for any of the sensations”
• used to disregard the brain

Question 4

What impact did the Roman Empire (Galen) have on neuroscience?

Answer 4

• believed in the 4 humours and the brain as the main organ
• discovery of the ventricles, fitted with Hippocrates’ theory of humourism

Question 5

What impact did Andreas Vesalius have on neuroscience?

Answer 5

• added more detail to the understanding of the brain structure
• identified errors in Galen’s anatomy

Question 6

What impact did Rene Descartes have on neuroscience?

Answer 6

• came up with the reflexive theory (reflexes are not controlled by the brain), but this was proven wrong

Question 7

How did neuroscience progress in the 18th and 19th century?

Answer 7

1. nerves as wires
   - Luigi Galvani - stimulation of nerves in frogs caused muscle contractions
2. localisation of specific brain functions
   - experimental ablations
   - Broca’s area
   - lateralisation of function
3. the neurone
   - golgi body
   - neurones are interconnected through synapses
4. evolution of the brain
   - Charles Darwin and Alfred russel Wallace

Question 8

What does the nervous system consist of?

Answer 8

• CNS (brain and spinal cord)
• PNS (cranial and spinal nerves, ganglia)

Question 9

What are the 5 areas of the brain?

Answer 9

• frontal lobe
• temporal lobe
• parietal lobe
• occipital lobe
• cerebellum

Question 10

Describe the spinal cord.

Answer 10

• continuous of brain stem
• mediates information transmission between brain and body
• coordinates certain reflexes
• has a core of grey matter surrounded by white matter
• dorsal = back
• ventral = front

Question 11

Describe the afferent and efferent pathways.

Answer 11

Afferent = messages from body to brain, neurones enter in the dorsal root
Efferent = messages from brain to body, neurones enter in the ventral horn

Question 12

Describe Acetylcholine.

Answer 12

• excitatory
• released by neurones in autonomic NS
• regulated HR, blood pressure, role in muscle contractions
• imbalances link to Alzheimer’s

Question 13

Describe Serotonin.

Answer 13

• inhibitory
• regulates mood, sleep patterns, anxiety
• imbalances link to SAD, anxiety

Question 14

Describe Dopamine.

Answer 14

• pleasure, arousal, learning
• facilitates focus, concentration, motivation
• dysfunctions include Parkinson’s Disease, schizophrenia, ADHD, bipolar disease

Question 15

Describe Epinephrine and Norepinephrine.

Answer 15

• responsible for fight or flight response
• increases HR, breathing, blood pressure, attention, focus
• excess can lead to diabetes, high BP
• used to treat asthma, anaphylaxis

Question 16

Describe Endorphins.

Answer 16

• pain relievers
• ‘feel good’ feeling

Question 17

Describe Glutamate.

Answer 17

• excitatory
• most abundant neurotransmitter in brain
• cognitive function
• imbalances lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, seizures

Question 18

Describe Gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA).

Answer 18

• inhibitory
• regulates brain activity

Question 19

Week 5