unit 1 aos2 Flashcards
the 3 theories of the brain
brain versus heart debate, the mind-body problem, phrenology
brain vs heart debate
a debate as to whether the heart or the brain is responsible for mental processes, such as thought, emotion and behaviour
mind-body problem
the philosophical question as to whether our mind is seperate and distinguishable from our body or whether they are one integrated entity
phrenology
the study of the shape and size of the human skull to determine personality and mental functioning
first brain experiments
ablation, brain leisioning, split brain research
ablation
the surgical removal, destruction, or cutting of a region of brain tissue
brain leisioning
the practice of inducing and/or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain
neuroimaging
a range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function and activities
basal ganglia
primary function is the encoding and storage of procedural memories (your basal ganglia, which has stored the procedure of running)
amygdala
primary function is emotional processing and encoding emotional memories (you see a spider on the wall of your bedroom. Your amygdala triggers a fear response telling you to run away)
hippocampus
primary function is the forming of explicit memories (You calm down in the hallway where your hippocampus forms this explicit memory)
cerebellum
primary function is to coordinate muscle movement (responds to this message by activating the cerebellum, which sends motor neurons to your legs to start you moving)
neocortex
primary function is the storage of explicit (long term episodic) memories (explicit memory, which is then stored in your neocortex, reinforcing that spiders in bedrooms are scary.)
Neuron
a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information in the brain
3 structures of the neuron
dendrites, myelin, axon terminals
dendrites
recieves neuronal messages
myelin
insulates the neuron and prevents disturbance from other neurons
axon terminals
sends neuronal messages to the next neuron
the synaptic gap
a tiny space between two neurons, where they communicate with each other
what is the difference between the synaptic gap and the synapse
The neuron that fires the message into the synaptic gap is known as the presynaptic neuron. The neuron that receives this message from the synapse is known as the postsynaptic neuron.
two specific ways in which the brain changes
long-term potentiation and long-term depression
long-term potentiation
refers to the strengthening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated activation. Everytime you ride a bike, the neural pathways involved become activated and strengthened
long-term depression
refers to the weakening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated low-level activation. If you don’t ride your bike for an extended period, the synaptic connections wont be activated
2 ways in which neuroplasticity occurs
developmental plasticity (ageing and maturation) and adaptive plasticity (brain trauma)
3 ways that developmental plasticity occurs
synaptogenesis, synaptic pruning, myelination
synaptogenesis
when there is the formation of synapses between neurons (when someone learns something new)
synaptic pruning
the elimination of underused synapses to free up space in the brain and allows for strengthening of frequent synapses
myelination
the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron to facilitate more efficient communication of messages
2 ways that adaptive plasticity occurs
sprouting and rerouting
sprouting
the ability for a neuron to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons
rerouting
the ability to form a new connection with an undamaged neuron
critical periods
the narrow, rigid developmental period in which a specific function or skill must be learnt
sensitive periods
the optimal developmental period for a specific function or skill to be learnt in the fastest and easiest way
traumatic brain injury
damage to the brain caused by an external force. falls, assaults & vehicle accidents
non-traumatic brain injury
damage to the brain caused by internal factors such as lack of oxygen or a tumour. strokes, aneurysms etc
cerebrospinal fluid
a clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain. when a person’s head is hit had the fluid is not enough of a cushion
strokes
an interruption to the blood supply in the brain or bleeding from blood vessels. Also could be from a lack of oxygen to the brain
2 impacts of abi on biological functioning
seizures and movement impairment
2 impacts of abi on psychological functioning
memory loss and personality changes
2 impacts of abi on social functioning
job productivity and an increase in antisocial behaviour
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions. a neurodegenerative disease.
symptoms of cte (3)
Disruption to higher order thinking and reasoning skills, Memory loss, Behavioural changes
how can you diagnose cte?
CTE can only be confirmed as a diagnosis through a post-mortem (autopsy) One of the indicators of CTE is the build-up of a particular protein called p-tau in regions of the brain
neurodegenerative disease
which is a disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain. It is incurable (CTE)
neuroplasticity
the ability of the brain to change in response to experience or environmental stimulation
