Unit 1 Flashcards
neuroscience
indicating a erve or the nervous system
many branches we need to be familiar with to
interact with professionals
be able to read reports and explain findings to our patients
neurology
study of diseases that drupe the normal structural and physiological aspects of the nervous system
neurologist serve inform the
clinical history, clinical examinations and laboratory testing to diagnose and determine the site nature and cause pathology
interested in the affect
of pathology human behavior
neurosurgery
study of surgical intervention to treat disease of the nervous system
structure of the nervous system
skull
vertical column
meningies- 3 layers
neuroradiology
use of imaging techniques ti identify intact and pathological structures of the nervous system
includes the use of therapeutic radiation along with drug therapy (tx) (chemotx)
MRI, fMRI, CT ect…
neuroembryology
study of prenatal growth of the NS during embryonic period of development
conception to about the end of the 7th week
end of week 7 all brain structures have emerged
teratology
the study of fetal malformations, cranial malformations
Neuroanatomy
study of the structural organization of the nervous system
Defines both gross and microscopic elements of the nervous system (NS)
Neurophathology
study of the nature and etiology of diseased tissue
- How tissue can structurally and functionally disrupts the NS
- Identifies cells affected by tumor, infarct, infection or degeneration
Nanoneuroscience
study of structures on the scale of nanometers
-Studies the molecular make-up of the brain
Nanotechnology
has been a rapidly growing field since the 1990s
scientists, engineers, and doctors attempt to manipulate materials on a molecular and atomic scale.
Principles Governing Functional Organization of the Human Brain
Even though brain is complex, highly evolved and is regulated by a set of simple principles
8 simple principles will greatly help understanding how brain works and functions
Principle #1: Interconnectivity in the brain
All functional areas of the brain are connected through fibers
Association fibers
Commissural fibers
we use all of our brain!
Association fibers
connect areas related to the same function or the same modality (1° and 2° areas of a modality), within the same hemisphere
Commissural fibers
connect related areas in the L and R hemisphere
interconnectivity
Fibers make up an interrelated network which allows a constant interaction
within each hemisphere (association)
AND
between the hemispheres (commissural)
These fibers are how messages from multiple sources are rapidly interpreted and integrated so that we can produce the appropriate response to stimuli.
important so that we can process all the senses at the same time
to save ourselves, fight or flight, to understand your environment.
Principle # 2: Centrality of CNS
CNS = Central Nervous System made up by the spinal cord (SC) + Brain
makes up who you are and how you react to stimuli
*it is central to who you are as a person
CNS is responsible for
integrating all Incoming and Outcoming information and for formulating responses to information received
All decision making happens in the CNS by analyzing and synthesizing multiple sources of information to generate a distinct response.
-like making the choice to over rule the reflex to avoid the hot sand in order to run to the water and sit in the cool water
A response can be
Volitional
Reflex
Volitional
(internally generated)= the cognitive process by which an individual decides on and commits to a particular course of action
*Voluntary
reflex
elicited, environmental
*not voluntary
down in our spinal chord
Principle # 3: Hierarchy of Neuroaxial Organization
The CNS is organized in a hierarchy
Lower level structures are responsible for lower functions– and these lower structures are influenced by structures higher up in the CNS
The hierarchy is highly integrated AND connected– not simple!
Spinal Chord
=lowest level
Simple sensory and motor functions; reflexes
Brainstem and Diencephalon
=intermediate level
house systems that regulate consciousness, blood pressure, sleep, neurotransmitters ect…
Cerebral cortex
=highest level
Complex sensorimotor integration, decision making
Principle # 4:
Laterality of Brain Organization
This principle may be broken down into 3 subprinciples
Bilateral anatomical symmetry
Unilateral functional differences
Contralateral sensorimotor control
Bilateral anatomical symmetry
Both hemispheres are essentially similar with only a few minor differences
ANATOMICALLY MIRROR IMAGES
Exception = the Planum Temporal bigger on the left
Planum Temporal
on the left side the flat plane at the top of the temporal lobe
processes auditory information
Unilateral functional differences
Immediately following birth both hemispheres have equal potential to develop functions and skills
BUT… during the first few years of life, each hemisphere acquires a preference for certain functions
Contralateral sensorimotor control
-All sensory and motor fibers in the nervous system decussate (cross) the midline
-Sensory info from right half of body projects to left sensory cortex AND
-Left motor cortex controls movement in the right half of the body
-Most sensory AND motor fibers cross midline at caudal medulla of brainstem
-Some auditory fibers cross at numerous levels in the brainstem
information crosses multiple times at multiple levels
Principle # 5:
Functional Networking
-Neuronal systems are functionally specialized
-Fibers are specialized for certain types of sensory and motor information
-These specialized fibers travel a set pathway
Specialized fibers and pathways have functional ability to
-Become increasingly adaptive
-Faster at processing information
-Analyze signals
Principle # 6:
Topographical organization in cortical pathways
The brain is spatially organized
Information from the peripheral areas of the body– projected to specific areas of the brain
Example: Humunculus
Neurologists now have topographical map of the brain that assist in identifying site of lesions
Principle # 7:
Plasticity in the brain
Neuroplasticity
Functional plasticity
Plasticity allows brain to
Repair cortical circuitry
Integrate other cortical areas to serve changing functions
Respond to various pathologies
Plasticity explains why therapy is able to retrain the brain s/p CVA or TBI/CHI
Regeneration of cells occurs differently in CNS vs. PNS
The brain’s ability to adapt to external and internal changes has important implications for learning
This ability to adapt– excellent “learners”
Functional plasticity AND adaptivity are greater in early years– gradually diminishes with age – Critical Period
Learning better w early experience
Early exposure facilitates learning and ALSO results in finer/ more efficient processing of information
Neuroplasticity
the ability to change as a result of experience
functional plasticity
is the ability to reorganize and modify functions and adapt to internal and external changes
learn and make new associations through repetitive use
Principal # 8
Culturally Neutral Brain
Although human brain is very complex–Its basic functioning is simple
Operations are NOT governed by gender, culture, or ethnic background
Brains function is unaffected by size, shape, or weight
Its power lies in its ability to attend, process, make decisions, and remember
dorsal
to the back
In the cortex- top of the brain
In the brainstem or spinal cord – back of brainstem or cord
caudal
toward the tail
In the cortex- near back of brain or head
In the brainstem or spinal cord- toward bottom of cord or brainstem
ventral
toward the abdomen
In the cortex- deep areas / bottom of the brain
Brainstem or spinal cord- belly or front of the structures
rostral
Toward the nose
In the cortex- near the front of the head
In brainstem or spinal cord- near or toward the brain
Sagittal
Vertical that divided brain left and right
Coronal
Vertical section- made perpendicular to sagittal section
Divides brain into front and back
Horizontal
cut perpendicular to BOTH coronal and Sagittal planes
Divides brain into upper and lower halves
Midsagittal
vertical cut that divides into equal left and right portions
Transverse
horizontal cut that is diagonal – typically the brain stem or spinal chord
Lateral
structures AWAY from midline
Medial
structures TOWARD midline
Proximal
structures relatively close to the specific anatomical structures sit e of reference
distal
position of structures further forms he anatomical structure of reference
Neuron
most basic building block of the brain
Responsible for receiving, transmitting, and synthesizing info
Glia cells
protect and support the nerve cells
Cell body
nucleus of the neuron,
also called the soma
Dendrites
specialized processes, receive neural impulses from other neurons and send the impulse toward the cell body
Axon
transmits neural messages to other neurons, send impulses away from the soma
hillock- voulnerable part of the neuron
terminal boutons
end portions of the axons, contain vessels that release neurotransmitters between the end of the axon and the surface of the next nerve cell