Biological Bases of Behavior
_______ involves deficits in the production of language while comprehension remains relatively intact; includes anomia and difficulty repeating phrases spoken by another person
Broca's Aphasia
Damage to a specific area of the premotor cortex of the frontal lobe can produce ________, which is characterized by a severe deficiency in expressive language (e.g., speech is slow and poorly articulated, very few words are used).
Broca's aphasia (aka expressive aphasia)
Other anti-anxiety agents
BuSpar (buspirone), Neurontin (gabapentin), and the beta-blocker Inderol (propanolol)
Electroencephalography (EEG)
measures the electrical field that is naturally generated by the brain; provides high temporal information about brain activity on the order of milliseconds, but relatively poor spatial resolution/localization.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
measures the magnetic field of the brain just as an electroencephalogram measures the electrical properties of the brain. The magnetic field runs perpendicular to the electrical field.
The Parietal Lobe
Contains primary sensory areas that process Somatosensory information. Parietal lobe enables us to integrate sensations of touch such as shape, size, weight, and texture, merging these into three dimensional experience of objects around us. Also process sensations of pain, heat, proprioception (ability to sense position, location, and movement of the body). - Right parietal lobe plays a key role in directing attention, as well as visual and spatial skills. Left parietal lobe is involved over-learned motor routines and linguistic skills such as reading, writing, and naming objects. - Damage often causes by stroke, and may result in inability to name objects (anomia), inability to write (agraphia), problems with reading (alexia), difficulty doing math (acalculia), difficulty drawing objects, difficulty distinguishing right from left, lack of awareness of certain body parts that lead to difficulty with self-care, problems with eye-hand coordination, and problems with attending to more than one object at a time.
Central Nervous System
Consists of the spinal cord and brain, with sensory (afferent) neurons carrying information into the CNS, and motor (efferent) neurons carrying information away from the CNS muscles and glands.
Temporal Lobes
Contains primary auditory cortex. Rests on top, and are connected to the limbic system (amygdala and hippocampus), which means that it is also involved in emotional behavior and memory. - Left temporal lobe is involved in verbal memory and language comprehension (Wernicke's area). The right temporal lobe is involved in visual memory. - Damage may result in increased aggressive behavior, increase or decrease in sexual behavior, interference with memory, and problems understanding speech (Wernicke's aphasia).
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Measures metabolic brain activity. Small amounts of radioactive materials are either injected or inhaled; then, positrons i.e., positively charged particles are emitted from the unstable radioactive substance. Positrons collide with nearby electrons to release high energy gamma rays that are detected by the PET scanner. The PET scanner obtains numerous images of these emissions as the substance flows through the brain vasculature.
TRUE or FALSE: Symptoms caused by an open head injury (e.g., gun shot wound) tend to resolve more rapidly than problems caused by a closed head injury (e.g., severe car accident).
TRUE: Open head injuries are usually focal, affecting a specific part of the brain, while closed head injuries are more diffuse and lead to widespread damage
The ________ is responsible for maintaining the body's homeostasis (temperature, fluid levels, metabolism, etc.) and also plays a role in intentional behaviors such as feeding, sex, aggression, and maternal behavior.
Hypothalamus (remember 4 F's: Fight, Flight, Feed, Fornicate)
________ involves slowed metabolism, reduced appetite, weight gain, decreased heart rate and body temp, low libido, depression, and impaired cognitive processes (e.g., concentration, memory); symptoms of ________ include high body temp, increased metabolism, increased appetite, weight loss, nervousness, agitation, fatigue, insomnia, mania, and decreased capacity for attention.
Hypothyroidism; Hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease)
A person with ________ apraxia cannot respond to commands requiring particular movement (e.g., pick up a fork) but may be able to do so spontaneously, while those with ________ apraxia cannot draw or copy simple figures or arrange blocks in a pattern.
Ideomotor; constructional
Myelin Sheath
Insulating wrap around neurons which increase speed of signal transmission
The pancreas releases ________, which functions to help the body absorb and make use of glucose and amino acids; the body's inability to produce it causes ________, while over-production leads to ________.
Insulin; diabetes mellitus; hypoglycemia
Serotonin
Involved with mood, Aggression, appetite, Sexual activity and Pain perception. Serotonin is produced by dietary modification of tryptophan. Deficiency implicated in mood disorder. Levels of Norepinephrine determines whether mood disorder is expressed as mania (too much NE) or depression (too little NE).
Hypothalamus
Regulates secretion of hormones
TRUE or FALSE: Depressive disorders and alcohol dependence are more common in the first-degree relatives of people with chronic pain.
TRUE: This suggests an environmental or genetic predisposition for developing pain
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Measures changes in the oxygen concentration of the blood in response to its utilization at various brain locations; is funtional
fMRI
Measures functional differences in oxygen levels in the brain without injecting anything
Homunculus
Representation of body parts in the brain are directly proportional to level of movement, not size of body part (e.g. hands have a larger representation than torso because hands have more movement potential)
caudate nucleus
Research has linked OCD to overactivity in the _____.
What sense is considered the most primitive (phylogenetically lowest) due to the fact that information received by it is not relayed from the thalamus to the cortex, but runs directly to the limbic system?
Smell (olfaction)
TRUE or FALSE: Stronger electrical stimulation generates more action potentials in a neuron and causes them to occur in a greater number of neurons.
TRUE: Though size and speed of an action potential are NOT related to stimulation intensity
TRUE or FALSE: Research has suggested that RNA may play a role in memory.
TRUE: Untrained organisms injected with RNA from trained organisms learned conditioned responses more quickly than control organisms (*controversial issue)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Takes a series of images at different levels of the brain using a magnetic field to create a 3-D brain image; more precise than CT & Does Not use x-rays
What occurs when blood flow to the brain experiences a severe, sudden interference, such as by a blood clot (embolism) or hemorrhage, which leads to the onset of neurological symptoms?
Stroke (aka cerebrovascular accident, or CVA)
________ brain imaging techniques include Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which take a series of images at different levels of the brain providing direct visualization of structures and features.
Structural
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT Scan)
Takes a series of images at different levels of the brain using x-ray measuring the density of brain tissue
One of the most serious side effects of traditional antipsychotics, this condition is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements, including lip smacking, grimacing, puckering lips, and rapid eye blinking.
Tardive dyskinesia
TRUE OR FALSE: Basal ganglia are inhibitory and keep us still
TRUE
non-REM Sleep Stage 1
alpha waves replaced by theta waves
the _____ integrates, coordinates, and directs motivational and emotional activities and attaches emotion to memories
amygdala
the ______ mediates the subjective experience of emotion and the attachment of emotions to memory
amygdala
components of the limbic system
amygdala, hippocampus
akathisia
an inability to sit or stand motionless along with a feeling of restlessness.
Polygraph
an instrument that graphs several different biological measures simultaneously; e.g., it may simultaneously measure brain activity using an electroencephalogram, muscle activity using an electromyogram (EMG), eye-movement activity using an electrooculogram (EOG), and temperature using a thermometer.
damage to the parietal lobe results in:
anomia, agraphia, alexia, acalculia, difficulty drawing objects, difficulty distinguishing right/left, lack of awareness of certain body parts
_____ produce no activity on their own but reduce or block the effects of a neurotransmitter or agonist
antagonists
in TBI, ______ is referred to as post-traumatic amnesia and is a good predictor of recovery
anterograde amnesia
side effects of TCAs
anticholinergic symptoms, drowsiness, termor, memory problems, sexual dysfunction
What are side effects of antipsychotics
anticholinergic: dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, gastric Extrapyramidal: parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia, tardive dyskinesia
motor/efferent neurons
carry information away from the CNS to muscles/ glands
sensory/afferent neurons
carry information into the CNS from the muscles/glands
Tourette's syndrome has been linked to excessive activity of dopamine receptors in the ______.
caudate nucleus
striatum
part of the basal ganglia; involved in movement and certain cognitive processes
tectum
part of the midbrain; involved in auditory and visual processing
reticular activating system
projects to the thalamus as a filter for incoming sensory information and is involved the sleep-wake cycle
Bradycardia and depression are side effects of ______.
propanolol
Lesions at the junction of the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes can produce _______.
prosopagnosia
Cerebellum
provides excitatory inputs that are responsible for maintaining smooth movement and coordinating motor activity
Pain is an interaction between...
psychological & physiological mechanisms.
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
radiological technique that integrates computed tomography (CT); a gamma-emitting radioisotope (called radionuclide) is injected into the bloodstream to visualize blood flow to tissues and organs--permits accurate localization in 3D space
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
rare, degenerative, fatal brain disorder though to result from an infectious misfoldd protein that triggers other proteins to malfunction. Rapldly progressive NCD with muscular coordination probelms, personality changes, impairend cognition, and vision problems. People usually die within 4-6 months. A variant of the disease is believed to be caused by consuming meat of cows with mad cow disease
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
rare. severe muscle rigidity, alerted consciousness, autonomic instability, and high fever. can be fatal
dendrites
receive information from other neurons by capturing neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft at their receptor sites
Brain Imaging Techniques
refers to a series of techniques that utilize the electrical, magnetic and chemical properties to provide measures of brain structure and/or function. Often divided into 2 types: Structural & Functional
athetosis
refers to slow, uncoordinated, and involuntary movements of the extremities.
medulla
regulates automatic responses such as breaking and heart rate
suprachiasmic nucleus
regulates the sleep-wake cycle
Confabulation
replacement of a gap in memory with false information the person believes to be true.
auditory cortex
responsible for auditory sensation and perception damage may cause auditory agnosia, auditory hallucinations, or cortical deafness
hypothalamus
responsible for maintaining the body's homeostasis via influence on ANS and endocrine glands
right hemisphere of the brain
responsible for perceptual, visuospatial, artistic, intuitive activities and emotion activities
Somatic Nervous System
sends and receives sensory messages that control voluntary motor movement of the skeletal (striated or lined) muscles.
Somatic nervous system
sends and receives sensory messages that control voluntary motor movement of the skeletal muscles
basal ganglia
sends information to the cortical areas involved in movement (premotor, motor cortexes) to properly direct movement
Gate control theory
sensations of pain are not directly related to activation of pain receptors, but they are mediated my neural gates in the spinal cord that allow these signals to go to the brain. pressue can close the gait which is why rubbing an injury can relieve pain. mood and attitudes also affect gates. Depression and berevement may open neural gates and increase pain experiences
Centralization pain theory
sensitization to pain occurs when the brain is exposed to repeated pain signals or nerve stimulation. as a result of neural plasticity, neurons develop a memory for responding to pain signals. repeated or frequent stimulation results in stronger and quicker brain memory. So a lower threshold and stronger pain response. More doses of meds to lower pain too, so pain should be treated early and aggressively.
________ mediates temperature, hunger and thirst, sexual behavior, aggression, arousal, and sleep
serotonin
Quadraplegia
serve ring the spinal cord anywhere between C1 and C5 results in paralysis in all four limbs.
limbic system
set of brain structures that forms the inner border of the cortex; considered our primitive brain; involved in emotions, basic drives, learning, olfaction, and memory
reticular formation
set of interconnected nuclei int he brainstem, esp important in awareness, attention, and sleep. part of the rf, the Reticular activating system, projects to the thalamus. its involved in the sleep-wake cycle, serves as a filter for incoming sensory info, and mediates alertness.
Side effects of Tricylic ADs
severe anticholonngergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, weight gain, nausea, and secual dysfuction. also linked to increased risk of heart disease
quadriplegia
severing the spinal cord anywhere between C1 and C5 results in paralysis in all four limbs
parapalegia
severing the spinal cord on T1 or below; paralysis in legs only
Sulci
shallow grooves that separate the lobes
non-REM Sleep Stage 2
slightly deeper stage of sleep, dominated by theta waves
arousal of the parasympathetic nervous system leads to:
slowing down heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration increases digestion and elimination
dystonia
"a syndrome of sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures." Differences in the extent & severity of muscle and frequency of symptom involvement range from intermittent contraction limited to a single body region to generalized dystonia involving the limbs & axial muscles. Features such as age of onset and presumed etiology play a tremendous role in prognosis & treatment. A younger age of onset associated with a more generalized and severe course in primary dystonias.
Parasympathetic nervous system
"energy conserving system." dominant when a person is relaxed. The main function is maintenance, which is accomplished by slowing heart rate, bp, and respiration while increasing digestion and elimination.
Norepinephrine
(Noradrenaline) involved with mood. Depression is associated with a relative deficiency while mania is involved with excess. Also plays a role in pain perception and sleep. also released as a hormone into the bloodstream which can cause heart rate increase
side effects of benzos
drowsiness and dizziness. mild cog imapirment, impaired coordiantion, nightmares, headache, stomach probs, and memory problems. Beta blockers can cause sexual dysfuncitin, fatigue, dizziness, cold hands a,d feet, sleep problems, angina, and shortness of breath
side effects of tricyclics
dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and nasal congestion
anticholinergic side effects
dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.
Hyperthyroidism
excessive secretion of thyroxine, results in weight loss despite increased appetite, heat sensitivity, sweating, diarrhea, tremor and palpitations, fatigue, agitated depression, insomnia, impaired memory and judgement, and can even involve hallucinations and delusions. - The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Grave's Disease.
Side effects of lithium
gastric distress, weight gain, tremor, fatigue, confusion 35% will have tremor in fingers. It can be toxic or deadly.
reticular formation
important in awareness, attention, and sleep
motor area
in charge of instigating voluntary movement
prefrontal cortex
in charge of personality, EF (cognitive flexibility), and emotionality
premotor area
in charge of planning movement
Atonic seizures
involve a sudden loss of muscle tone that may cause the individual to fall down
EEG
measures electrical activity in the cortex. Shows changes in brain activity that aid in diagosin condictions like epilepsy. Preffered method of localizing the source of a seizure
When necessary body fluids are low, this hormone inhibits urination; diabetes insipidus (excessive water loss) is the result of under-secretion of this hormone.
Antidiuretic hormone (or Vasopressin)
A person with this type of visual agnosia is unable to recognize objects by sight but can identify them by touch.
Aperceptive agnosia
Regarding focal brain syndromes, ________ refers to impaired ability to produce or comprehend written or spoken language, ________ refers to impaired reading abilities, ________ involves impaired ability to execute learned purposeful movements, ________ is the inability to recognize familiar objects in the absence of a primary sensory system disturbance, and ________ is the inability (or unwillingness) to acknowledge one's own functional impairment.
Aphasia; alexia; apraxia; agnosia; anosognosia
Wernicke's Area
Area of the language dominant temporal lobe responsible for understanding and meaningful expression of language
examples of Tricyclic Antidepressants
doxepin, imipramine, clomipriamine
What are the 6 "basic emotions" accepted as being universally experienced by all humans?
Fear, anger, joy, sadness, surprise, and disgust
Sleep stages
1) Stage 1: transitional stage btw sleep and wakefulness, lighest sleep. Theta waves 2) Stage 2: brain produces bursts of rapid, rythmic brain wave activity known as sleep spindles. body temp and heart rate decreases 3) Stages 3 and 4: Delta waves. Stage 3 is transition btw light and deep sleep. 4 is deep sleep. Heart rate and breathing is slowed, but muscles maintain tone. 4) REM (stage 5): rapid eye movement, increased respiration, and brain acitvity. Also considered paradoxiacal sleep, the brain and body systems become more active but the muscles are more relaxed. This is when most dreaming happens Stages alter throughout the night. deeper stages become less frequent and REM more prominant as the night progresses. AS people age, percentage of REM sleep decreases. newborn sleep:50% REM. 5 years: 20-25%. Adults: 18% Dream deprivation (waking a bunch during REM) causes REM rebound
3 stages of alzheimer's
1) pre-clinical (biomarkers indicate disease but no symptoms) 2)mild cognitive impairment (mild but noticible changes) 3) dementia Now thought to begin 20 years before the development of symptoms
four regions of the spinal cord
1. Cervical (C1-C7) 2. Thoracic (T1-T12) 3. Lumbar (L1-L5) 4. Sacral (S1)
How do CT & MRI differ?
1. Resolution: A CT scan produces a relatively low-resolution image when compared with more recently developed brain imaging techniques such as MRI. 2. MRI Does Not use x-rays
Clinical applications of EEG
1. To study sleep patterns. During sleep, it can be used to monitor brain waves in order to delineate REM from non-REM sleep. 2. Monitoring anesthesia during surgical procedures 3. Studying cognitive functions of the brain. 4. Used in the diagnosis of epilepsy.
Purposes of Pharmacokinetics (PK)
1. study the course of a drug over time, in relation to its absorption by the body, distribution, metabolism and excretion. 2. study how these four processes relate to the time course and the intensity of both therapeutic and side effects of the drug.
pain threshold of loudness-amplitude
120 decibels
risk for a DZ twin of a schizophrenic proband to be diagnosed with schizophrenia
17%
1. Rods and cones synapse with...
2. Bipolar Cells
1. Vibrations enter through...
2. the auditory canal and ear drum.
range of audible frequencies
20-20,000 cycles per second (CPS)
genotype
23 pairs of chromosomes an individual inherits from his/her parents
2. Bipolar cells synapse with...
3. Ganglion cells
2. Vibrations on the eardrum are amplified by...
3. Three ossicle bones
3. Ganglion cells form bundles called...
4. optic nerves
Vibrations are transmitted to...
4. the oval window.
risk for a MZ twin of a schizophrenic proband to be diagnosed with schizophrenia
46%
Serotonin
5-HT, mood, sleep, appetite, aggression, sexual activity, and pain perception. Produced by a dietary modification of tryptophan. Dysregulation has been associated with suicide and impulsivity. Deficiencies Implicated in mood disorders.
4. The oval window puts pressure on...
5. liquid of the inner ear, cochlea.
percentage of left-handed people who are left-hemisphere dominant for language
50-60
5. Pressure on liquid of the inner ear causes...
6. movement of the hair cells.
By age 2, the brain has reached _____% of its adult weight.
80
Aneurysm
A bulging, weak area of an artery in the brain
Achromatopsia
A congenital deficit in the perception of color.
Concussion
A form of mild TBI resulting in altered consciousness, posttrauma amnesia, or focal cognitive deficit
Pick's Disease
A frontotemporal dementia (FTD) caused by a decay of neurons in the frontal and temporal cortex; results in changes in personality, executive dysfunction, and language difficulties
2. What is the Eardrum?
A membrane that vibrates as a function of sound waves.
General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
A model of response to long term stress. 1) Alarm-body mobilizes resources to cope with stress by activating sympathetic nervous system and releasing cortisol and adrenaline 2) Resistance- the alarm reaction subsides and the body adapts to the stressor 3) Exhaustion- occurs in response to chronic stress, the body's resources are exhausted and immunity is greatly lowered. can lead to significant loss of health and death
hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
Korsakoff's Syndrome
A neurological disease resulting in loss of declarative memory, caused by depletion of thiamine, usually due to long-term alcohol abuse
All or None Principle
A neuron, if sufficiently stimulated, will fire to it's full extent. If not sufficiently stimulated, it will not fire.
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter involved in mood, arousal, pain, and sleep
aperceptive agnosia
A person cannot identify a familiar object visually but can identify it kinesthetically when it is placed in his hand. It is believed to be caused by lesions in the visual association cortex, which is located in the occipital lobe.
Limbic System
A set of brain structures that forms inner border of the cortex, is considered our primitive brain and plays a key role in our survival. Limbic system largely involved in emotions (fear, anger, pleasure), basic drives (sex, hunger), learning, olfaction, and memory. The limbic system also influences our autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. - Key limbic system structures include: 1. Thalamas 2. Hypothalamas 3. Hippocampus 4. amygdala 5. Septum
Wada Test
A type of neuroangiography procedure used to identify language abilities in the cerebral cortex
Anticholinergic effects and extrapyramidal symptoms
A: dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention/hesistance, bluerred visiion, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, conegstion, confusion, and decreased memory. Side effects typically diminish in 1st month, but dont toally disappear. Deal with drying out or holidng in EP: movement related symptoms. may be managed through the use of anticholinergic agents such as cogentin and artane. 2nds gens are far less likley to cause this. Symptoms imclude dystonia (painful muscle spasms), parkinsoniasm, and akathisia (unpleasant, restelss feeling esp in the legs).
Acetylcholine
ACh - muscle activation
Neurobiological factors associated with _______ include neurotransmitter abnormalities, lower than normal activity in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia and smaller than normal cerebellum
ADHD
Working Memory
Ability to manipulate mental information
Seizure
Abnormal neuronal firing resulting in abnormal behavior or experiencing
Superior
Above
Negative Symptoms
Absence of a normal behavior
According to psychophysics, the level of intensity of a stimulus at which a subject is able to detect the presence of the stimulus some proportion (usually 50%) of the time (e.g., the softest a sound can be and still be heard) is referred to as what?
Absolute threshold (aka detection threshold)
Hydrocephalus
Accumulation of cerebro spinal fluid in the brain's ventricles, causing cranial pressure. It can be caused by overproduction or malabsorption of CSF. IT can cause neuro problems, unrinary incontinece, unsteady gait. It can sometimes be corrected with surgery (shunt)
This neurotransmitter causes muscles to contract and is associated with impairments in voluntary movement; in the brain it is involved in learning/memory, with depletion of its receptors in the cortex and hippocampus occurring in Alzheimer's disease.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Apraxia
Acquired difficulty in producing skilled, purposeful movement
Agraphia
Acquired difficulty in writing
Alexia
Acquired inability to read
Procedural Memory
Action-based information: processes, working memory, etc
Delerium
Acute state of confusion that is abrupt and is usually reversible
Under-secretion of ACTH causes ________, which is characterized by fatigue, appetite loss, depression, and fainting spells; over-secretion leads to ________, which is characterized by obesity, memory loss, depression, mood swings, and somatic delusions.
Addison's Disease; Cushing's Disease
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex?
Frontal; Parietal; Occipital; Temporal
The pituitary gland releases ________ hormone, influencing the release of ________, which stimulates the liver to convert energy stores into glucose.
Adrenocorticotropic (ACTH); cortisol
Parietal lobe damage can lead to ________, or the inability to identify objects by touch, _______, or the inability to make intentional movement despite normal motor function, and/or ________, or the inability to read/write.
Agnosia; apraxia; agraphia
Agraphia Alexia
Agraphia: loss of ability to write. left hemisphere in any variety of areas including the frontal, temporal, or parietal lobes Alexia: word blindness, loss of ability to read and/or comprehend the meaning of written/printed words and sentences. Most common cause is stroke in left (dominant) hemisphere
Presumed mechanism of Antipsychotics
All are to some extent dopamine D2 antagonists, which menas they lower the levels of DT in the brain by blocking postsynaptic domaine receptors
Use of an SSRI causes some people to experience unpleasant sensations of inner restlessness that manifests itself as an inability to remain still. This is referred to as what?
Akathesia
Neurons
All behavior results from neuronal activity. Neurons release neurotransmitters to communicate.
The fact that, in any given neuron, the action potential is the same magnitude every time it occurs is referred to as the ________; basically, once the minimal threshold of electrical stimulation is reached, a neuron fires.
All-Or-None Law
During periods of relaxed wakefulness, ________ waves are typically found on an EEG, while ________ waves are more predominant during active, alert states.
Alpha; beta
Symptoms of Korsakoff's
Anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, confabulation, apathy, limited content in conversations, lack of insight
disorder related to deficits in acetylcholine
Alzheimer's & dementia
Therapeutic Window
Amount of drug required to produce clinical efficacy without dangerous side effects
This limbic system structure plays a role in the processing and memory of emotional reactions and mediates defensive/aggressive behavior; lesions in it produce Kluver-Bucy Syndrome.
Amygdala
Hallmark abnormalities of alzheimers
Amyloid Plaque(depostis of protein fragment beta-amyloid) and neurofibrillary tangles (twistes strands of the protein tau). also evidence of damage and death throughout the brain, esp the hippocampus and amygdala. Significant decrease in acetylcholine, involved in learning and memory.
BENZODIAZEPINES
Anti anxiety drugs which include Diazepam (Valium), alprozolam (Xanax), Clonozepam (Klonopin), Lorazepam (Ativan) they are used to treat GAD, panic, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, epilepsy
Research has shown that low desire for sex in women seems to be correlated more with a lack of ________ rather than ________.
Androgens; estrogens
Of the hormones produced by the gonads, ________, which include testosterone, are involved in sexual interest and cause the development of secondary sex characteristics in males; _______ and ________ are found primarily in women and are necessary for healthy reproductive function.
Androgens; estrogens; progesterone
Anomic aphasia transcortical aphasia
Anomic: problems recalling words/names. the person may speak in a roundabout way and resort to descriptions to express things they cant remember. Damage to parietal or temporal lobes. Transcortical: damage outside of the main language regions. 3 types: motor, sensory, ad mixed. Similar to brocas, wernincke's, and global. EXCEPT they can repeat words/phrases
This condition occurs with damage to the cerebellum and is characterized by slurred speech, severe tremors, and loss of balance.
Ataxia
Amygdala
Attaches emotional significance to sensory input.; it is strongly implicated in fear (e.g.., startle response), aggression, and emotional memory. - The amygdala essentially controls the fear response, receiving and integrating sensory input determine the level of threat. - The amygdala is also involved in the memory of fear, thus linked to PTSD. - Stimulating the amygdala increases aggression. When the amygdala is removed or destroyed, aggression is diminished. - KLUVER-BUCY SYNDRONE: results when the amygdala is removed or destroyed, causing one resulting: placidity, apathy, hyper sexuality, hyperplasia (excessive eating), and agnosia (problems with recognition). - Amygdala, A for increased aggression.
In terms of sexual function, a man who is paralyzed from the waist down would most likely be able to what?
Attain an erection but not ejaculate
Pain sensitivity is affected by subjective variables which include...
Attention, motivation, and suggestion
The ability to orient oneself toward the direction of a sound, indicated by the turning of one's head toward the sound, is referred to as what?
Auditory localization
_____ is linked to abnormalities in the cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus
Autism Spectrum Disorder
______ is associated with abnormal level of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine
Autism Spectrum Disorder
This drug is commonly used to treat anxiety and works by interrupting impulses to the reticular activating system; it is rarely prescribed anymore due to its addictiveness and the effectiveness of safer benzodiazepines.
Barbiturates (e.g., thiopental [Pentothal], amobarbital [Amytal])
The ________ code and relay information related to control of voluntary movement, sensorimotor learning, and motoric expressions of emotion; abnormalities in it are linked with Tourette's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, depression, mania, OCD, and psychosis.
Basal Ganglia
the _____ include the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra
Basal Ganglia
simple partial seizure
Begins on one side of the brain and at least initially only effects one side of the body. Causes changes in movement and sensation but does not produce loss of consciousness.
A person who begins experiencing dull headaches, seizures, nausea and projectile vomiting, changes in vision and hearing, and/or other focal neurological signs (e.g., localized sensory loss, paresthesias, ataxia) is exhibiting symptoms of what?
Brain tumor
Ventral
Belly
Inferior
Below
Thalamus
Below the corpus callosum. Serves as the major sensory relay center for the brain, receiving input from all our senses except olfaction (smell). The thalamus then integrates and processes this information before projecting it to the appropriate cortical areas. - The thalamus is critical in the perception of pain. - Abnormalities of the thalamus have been liked to schizophrenia (misperception of sensory input).
What class of drugs are the most commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders, are addictive when improperly used, and work by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system?
Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam [Valium], alprazolam [Xanax], clonazepam [Klonopin])
A person presenting with symptoms of severe anxiety about public speaking might be prescribed what type of drug, which is good at treating the physical symptoms of anxiety and traditionally used to treat hypertension, migraine, essential tremor, and cardiac arrhythmias?
Beta Blocker (e.g., propranolol [Inderal])
______ block or diminish the cariovascular excitatory reponses to epinephrine and norepinephrine
Beta-Blockers
Corpus Callosum
Connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain
Glia
Brain cells which provide support, structure, and nutrients
Neurons
Brain cells which transmit and interpret signals
Posterior
Bottom
Corpus Callosum
Bundle of fiber nerves that serves as a bridge between the left and right hemispheres, making it possible for two hemispheres to communicate. - Right hemisphere controls left side of the body and sensory experiences on the left side of the body. And the left hemisphere control the right side of the body. This is true whether the corpus callosum is intact or not. - Example, touching something hot with left hand is processed in the right hemisphere. With an intact corpus callosum, the right hemisphere shares information with the left hemisphere. The left hemisphere can express that information in language (e.g., saying "it's hot").
Typically used to treat anxiety disorders, ________ differs from benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics in that it does not produce sedative, anticonvulsant, or muscle relaxant side effects, nor does it appear to be addictive.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Regarding structural brain imaging techniques, ________ measures density of brain tissue and is helpful in identifying tumors, blood clots, tissue damage, and multiple sclerosis, while ________ provides 3D images with more precise detail, does not require the use of x-rays, and is useful in examining the central nervous system.
CT scan; MRI
The ________ theory of emotion suggests emotions and physiological changes (e.g., muscle tension, sweating) are experienced simultaneously; it is predicted that the thalamus and cortex are stimulated at the same time, producing simultaneous arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and emotional feeling.
Cannon-Bard
According to the _________, depression is due to a deficiency of norepinephrine.
Catecholamine Hypothesis
SSRIs
Category of drug replacing benzodiazepines to treat anxiety disorders
MAOIs
Category of drug used as final alternative to treat depression due to serious drug and food interactions
Barbiturates
Category of drug used to be used as a relaxation medication; replaced by benzodiazepines due to this category's dangerous side effects
Psychostimulants
Category of drugs which increase NE and DA in the prefrontal cortex; used to treat ADHD
Transcortical Aphasia
Caused by damage outside of the main language regions. Similar to Broca's Wernicke's, and global aphasia, except the person can repeat words, phrases, and sentences. However, the person cannot spontaneous say the word or phrase, can only repeat.
CLASSIFICATION BY CLINICAL EFFECTS
Classification system that clinicians may find most practical and useful. It groups the drugs under the effects they appear to exert on the symptoms of certain disorders; however, most often, more than one category of disorders are targeted by the same class of medications. For example, antidepressants are widely used in the treatment of several conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & OCD.
The nervous system consists of the ________, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the ________, which includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
Central nervous system (CNS); peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Two main divisions of the nervous system
Central nervous system (CNS, brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral nervous system (PNS, nerves that go to and from the brain and spinal cord).
What brain structure, sitting on top of the medulla and pons, is responsible for maintaining balance, coordinating movements, and controlling posture?
Cerebellum
This is the last part of the brain to stop growing and undergoes more structural change following birth than any other part of the central nervous system.
Cerebral cortex
Neurotransmitter
Chemical released into a synapse to activate another neuron
What are neurons that secrete acetylcholine called?
Cholinergic neurons
This theory of emotion, based on research by Schachter and Singer, posits that most emotional states produce similar physical sensations, while the specific emotion experienced is a product of one's attribution for the cause of those sensations.
Cognitive-Arousal Theory (aka Two-Factor Theory)
Cortex
Collection of neurons in the cerebrum; made up of six layers of cells
Chunking
Combining items into groups
Synapse
Communicating junction between two neurons
akinesia
Complete or almost complete loss of movement; associated with several disorders including stroke and Parkinson's disease
Structural Techniques
Computerized Tomography (CT) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT Scan)
CT Scan
Computerized Tomography - uses x-rays to look at slices of brain; used in the emergency room after serious head trauma
The electrochemical process by which information is received and processed within a neuron, whereby a cell becomes electrically excited, "fires," and creates a nerve impulse called an action potential is referred to as what?
Conduction
Conduction Aphasia Global Aphasia
Conduction: relatively rare, lesion in the connect pathway btw receptive and expressive language. can understand and speak, but cannot repeat phrases. They speak fluently, but it makes no sense. However, they can execute verbal commands bc they can comprehend language Global: widespread damage and pros with everything (comprehenion, speech, repetition, naming)
What term refers to the fact that the left hemisphere of the brain controls functions on the right side of the body, while the right hemisphere controls functions on the left side of the body?
Contralateral representation
Central Nervous System
Controlling part of the nervous system; made up of the brain and spinal cord
The ________ is a bundle of fibers that enables communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Corpus callosum
Confabulation
Creating false memories or distorting real memories
Criteria for a neurocognitive disorder
Decline in one or more of 6 cognitive domains: complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, expressive and receptive language, perceptual-motor, and social cognition
Dementia
Decline in two or more cognitive functions that result in impairment in activities of daily living; now known as "neurocognitive disorder" in the DSM-V
Antagonist
Decreases the effect of a neurotransmitter caused by agonists by blocking open transmitter sites
As people age, the total amount of sleep time ________ and the proportion of non-REM to REM sleep ________.
Decreases; increases
Multiple Sclerosis
Degradation of myelin sheaths; particularly affects the cerebellum
Parts of a neuron
Dendrites, cell body (soma), and axon
________ are short fibers at the end of a cell body that respond to stimulation from other neurons and carry this information toward the cell body, while the ________ is a single fiber that carries information away from the cell body.
Dendrites; axon
What 2 factors have an effect on the speed of conduction?
Diameter of the axon and myelin sheath
Electroencephalography
EEG - measures electrical energy of the brain to measure global brain activity
What psychophysics term refers to the magnitude of the difference between 2 stimuli of differing intensities that a subject is able to detect some proportion (usually 50%) of the time (e.g., differences in small changes in weight of an item)?
Difference threshold (aka just noticeable difference)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Difficulty maintaining attention, managing impulsivity, and involuntary body movements; diagnosed prior to age 12
Extrapyramidal Symptoms
Drug-induced movement disorders
Anxiolytics
Drugs used to treat anxiety
Cerebrovascular Disease
Diseases of vasculature of the brain; can result in strokes, infarctions, and lesions
Schizophrenia
Distorted experience of reality resulting abnormal social interactions and self-expression, including behaviors
Delirium
Disturbance in attention and awareness. The onset is rapid and the course tends to be fluctuating. Cognitive distrubances (memoy, disorientation, etc) and is only diagnosed when there is evidence that the symptoms have a physiological cause like infection, substances, withdrawal, etc). usually reversable (unlike NCD). more common in older adults
Neurotransmitters
Dived into two categories: Classical neurotransmitters and Peptide neurotransmitters. The term AGONIST is applied to any substance that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter, while ANTAGONIST refers to an substance that inhibits the neurotransmitter effect. - Action Potential categories: Excitatory: Acetylcholine, norepinephrine increase likelihood of action potential. Inhibitory: GABA, endorphins decrease likelihood of action potential.
Spinal Cord
Divided into four regions. - Cervical or neck region includes vertebrae C1 through C7. - The thoracic or chest region includes vertebrae T1 through T12. - The Lumbar or back region includes vertebrae L1 through L5. - The Sacral region includes the S1 vertebra. When the spinal cord is damaged, muscles served by sections of the spinal cord below the damaged area do not function normally, and paralysis may result.
Catecholamines (Dopamine and Norepinephrine)
Dopamine • Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia: excess dopamine caueses schizophrenia • Less dopamine because of Substantia Nigra damage!Parkinson's • Antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists Norepinephrine • Involved in mood • Pain perception • Sleep • Deficiency cause Depression •Excess cause Mania
Catecholamines
Dopamine and Norepinephrine
What is the best overall predictor of prognosis following a closed head injury?
Duration of anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia
Often mistaken for aphasia, what condition involves problems in articulation due to lesions or disease that disrupt the control of speech (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, and multiple sclerosis)?
Dysarthria
True of False: Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia can be expected to immediately diminish as a person is gradually withdrawn from taking the drug.
False- usually symptoms temporarily increase before decreasing
These neuromodulators bind to opiate receptor sites, reducing activity in the thalamus and cerebral cortex, thereby inhibiting feelings of pain and increasing feelings of pleasure.
Endorphins (endogenous morphine)
Benzodiazepines
Enhance GABA to produce a relaxation response; used to treat most anxiety disorders
The breaking down of unused neurotransmitters into inactive metabolites that are eventually removed as waste is called what?
Enzymatic degradation
Neurotransmitters that have an ________ effect on post-synaptic cells increase the likelihood that an action potential will occur, while those with an ________ effect decrease the chances of an action potential occurring.
Excitatory; inhibitory
Axon
Extending arm of the neuron
The ________, proposed by Schachter, Stunkard, and Rodin, suggests that obese people overeat because they are inherently more sensitive to certain external cues than internal cues (e.g., eat because food tastes good despite satiety).
Externality hypothesis
TRUE or FALSE: Information seen with the right eye travels only to the left hemisphere of the brain, and vice versa.
FALSE: It travels to both hemispheres, as both eyes receive info from the left and right visual field; however, information from one visual field is transmitted only to the opposite hemisphere
TRUE or FALSE: A person prescribed Ritalin to treat ADHD is encouraged to take the drug continuously for the best effects.
FALSE: Psychostimulants can lead to growth suppression in youngsters, thus many doctors recommend "drug holidays"
TRUE or FALSE: Dreaming only occurs during REM sleep.
FALSE: Research suggests that dreaming occurs in non-REM sleep, though REM dreams are more vivid, emotionally-laden, and more likely to be remembered
Semantic Memory
Facts, figures, dates, etc
Dendrite
Fibers on the cell body of neurons that receive signals from other neurons
What types of brain imaging techniques include Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
Functional techniques
What is one of the most common side effects of lithium?
Fine hand tremor
Typical Antipsychotics
First generation anti-psychotics which were created in the 1950s; dopamine blockers; can result in movement disorders
side effects of SSRI's
G.I. problems, sexual dysfunction, headaches, motor restlessness
Ventricle
Fluid filled space in the brain
Cones
For seeing color. They function only in light. They cluster around the center of the retina
_______ is always inhibitory
GABA
abnormal levels of _____ have been linked to Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Sleep disorders
GABA
benzodiazepines reduce anxiety by enhancing the effects of ________
GABA
low levels of _____ have been linked to anxiety
GABA
Amino Acids
GABA and Glycine and Glutamate
inhbitory neurotransmitters
GABA, endorphins
three types of amino acids
GABA, glycine, glutamate
Serotonin
Good feelings and happiness, and regulating sleep, appetite, and mood; used to treat depression
This area of the brain contains the hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system, and cerebral cortex.
Forebrain
The most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, low levels of ________ are associated with anxiety and Parkinson's disease, while deficits in the brain's motor regions is associated with dementia and involuntary jerking of the arms and legs.
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA)
According to this theory of pain, activation of nerves that do not transmit pain signals can interfere with signals from pain fibers and inhibit one's perception of pain (e.g., massaging sore muscles = afferent, engaging in distracting mental activities = efferent).
Gate-Control Theory
______ is caused by damage to the left parietal lobe and involves right-left confusion, agraphia, acalculia, and finger agnosia
Gerstmann's syndrome
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter that activates behaviors associated with fight or flight responses
What primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS is associated with learning, memory, and long-term potentiation (transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory)?
Glutamate
_____ plays a role in long-term potentiation, which is believed to be responsible for the formation of long-term memories
Glutamate
What hormone stimulates growth by acting on the epiphyseal plates at the ends of bones and, when over-secreted or under-secreted, can lead to giantism or dwarfism, respectively?
Growth hormone (aka somatotropic hormone)
Peripheral Nervous (PNS)
Has two main subdivisions, the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system(ANS).
Dorsal
Head, spine
________ is when one half of a person's body is paralyzed, ________ is when a person experiences loss of use of all limbs, and ________ is when the lower extremities of a person's body is paralyzed.
Hemiplegia; quadriplegia; paraplegia
Gyrus
Hill of the cortex
This area of the brain consists of the brain stem and the cerebellum.
Hindbrain
This limbic system structure is involved in learning and memory, particularly transferring new information from short-term to long-term memory; damage to this area can cause anterograde amnesia.
Hippocampus
visual imagery is linked to what brain structure?
Hippocampus
Occipital Lobes
Houses primary visual cortex, and are involved in sight, reading, and visual images. - Damage may lead to difficulty recognizing drawn objects, difficulty identifying colors, hallucinations and illusions, inability to recognize words (word blindness), and problems with reading and writing.
Pharmacodynamics
How drugs impact the body
Pharmacokinetics
How drugs move throughout the body
This neurodegenerative genetic disorder is characterized by affective and personality changes, forgetfulness, and most prominently, motor symptoms such as incoordination, clumsiness, and eventually involuntary jerky movements.
Huntington's Chorea (chorea = involuntary writhing movements)
_______ produces a combination of affective, cognitive, and motor symptoms and has been linked to a degeneration of GABA-secreting cells in the basal ganglia and cortex
Huntington's Disease
atrophy of the caudate nucleus is found in patients with _____.
Huntington's Disease
Hyper and Hypothyroidism
Hyper: excess secretion of thyroxin results in weight loss despite increased appetite, heat sensitivity, sweating, diarrhea, palpitations, fatigue, depression, insomnia, impaired memory and judgement, and even hallucinations/delusions. Most common form is Grave's disease. (mimics anxiety/manic episode). Hypo: under secretion of thyroxin. weight gain, sluggishness, fatigue, impaired memory/intellectual functioning, sensitivity to cold. (mimics depression)
Paralysis
Immobility
Hemispatial Neglect
Inability to attend to stimuli on one side of the body due to damage in the parietal lobe
ataxia
Inability to coordinate muscle activity during voluntary movements, resulting in shaky/tremor-like movements
Anterograde Amnesia
Inability to form new memories
Quadriplegia
Inability to move arms and legs
Paraplegia
Inability to move legs
Retrograde Amnesia
Inability to recall memories prior to an event
Wernicke's Aphasia
Inability to understand language
GABA
Neurotransmitter that acts as a neuro inhibitor; used to treat anxiety
Paresis
Incomplete severing of the spinal cord may result in muscle weakness, termed paresis, rather than full paralysis. Strokes can also cause paresis.
Agonist
Increases the production of a neurotransmitter
Arachnoid mater
Inner connecting layer of the meninges
Episodic Memory
Information based in experiences
Explicit Memory
Information consciously remembered
Implicit Memory
Information unconsciously remembered
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)
Inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase, which breaks down monoamines and thereby increases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Effective in the treatment of atypical depression. Because they cause more side effects and have more drug and dietary interactions than SSRIs and TCAs, they are typically reserved as last-option antidepressants. MAOIs brand-names include: Nardil-phenelzine, Parnate-tranylcypromine, and Emsam-selegiline.
Declarative Memory
Intentionally recalled information
Right Hemisphere
Involved with perceptual, visuospatial, artistic, musical, and intuitive activities. The right hemisphere is also associated with the maintenance of body image, and the comprehension and expression of visual, facial, and verbal emotion. - Damage to the left hemisphere may result in cognitive abnormalities that include left side semi-neglect, prosopagnosia, visual-perceptual disturbances, and agnosia for musical sounds. - affective abnormalities may include indifference, euphoria, hysteria, depression, mania, impulsivity, and abnormal sexual behavior.
Pharmacometrics (PM)
Involves quantitative analysis and interpretation in relation to the effects of drugs in preclinical and clinical trials. Quantitative analysis and interpretation based on PK and PD
Tardive Dyskinesia
Irregular, jerky movements caused by neuroleptics
Pharmacokinetics (PK)
Is both a biochemical process and a branch of pharmacology; as a process, it can be defined as, "the change over time of the blood levels of a drug following administration." As a field of study, it is concerned with "how the body absorbs, distributes, breaks down, & eliminate drugs. PK involves the use and application of chemical & mathematical formulas.
Cerebrum
Is involved with complex thought, perception, and action. Outer layer of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortex and the inside layer contains the subcortical areas.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Is the body's mobilizing system. Also known as the fight or flight system, it is dominant during times of stress. When this mobilizing system is activated, hormones are released into the blood stream. These hormones result in increased respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure and decreases in the process of digestion and elimination.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Is the energy conserving system, and is dominant when a person is relaxed. The two main function of the PNS is basic body maintenance, which is accomplished by slowing heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, while increasing digestion and elimination. - In general, it is better to have the parasympathetic system dominant over the sympathetic. - Interventions, such as biofeedback concentrate on helping people decrease the sympathetic system.
How does lithium work?
It may reduce post-synaptic responsivity to dopamine and norepinephrine
What theory of emotion posits that emotions occur as the result of one's perception of physiological changes occurring in response to environmental stimuli (e.g., "I am trembling so I must be afraid," "I am crying so I must be sad")?
James-Lange Theory
Apathy
Lack of emotion
What term is used to describe the fact that some higher level cortical functions are controlled more by either the left or right hemisphere of the brain?
Lateralization of function
damage to the _______ is associated with a slow-cautious behavioral style
Left Hemisphere
Left-right confusion is most likely to be caused by a lesion to what area?
Left Parietal Region
Location of Wernicke's Area
Left Temporal Lobe
Broca's Area
Left inferior lateral side of the frontal lobe and is responsible for creating fluent production of language as well as grammar and comprehending syntax
.5 seconds (Biology)
Length of time for a reflex response
Gerstmann's Syndrome
Lesions of the left parietal lobe, results in four primary symptoms that include: agraphia, acalculia, right-left disorientation, and finger agnosia (difficulty with recognition). - People suffering from finger agnosia can't recognize their own fingers as part of their body.
Broca's Aphasia
Lesions to the dominant (left)frontal lobe. Severe problem with speech production and articulation (Dysarthria), making speech slow and effortful. Comprehension mostly intact, but some comprehension problem may exist. - Other problems include: difficulty with word finding, naming objects, and repeating verbal phrases. - People with Broca's aphasia are aware of their difficulties. - Choppy/broken speech. - Considered an expressive or motor aphasia.
Anatomy of the eye
Light waves enter eye & pass through cornea, pupil, & lens, then received by the retina
This consists of a group of brain structures (amygdala, septum, hippocampus) that work together to mediate the emotional component of behavior.
Limbic System
The most popular medication used to treat Bipolar Disorder, ________ is believed to work by reducing postsynaptic responsivity to dopamine and norepinephrine.
Lithium
_____ is most effective for "classic" Bipolar Disorder that involves manic episodes with elevanted mood and without rapid cycling of moods
Lithium
side effects of ______ include gastrointestinal symptoms, fine hand tremor, weakness and fatigue, and excessive thirst and urination
Lithium
This term refers to the strengthening of the connection between 2 neurons in the hippocampus that lasts for an extended period of time; it is commonly regarded as the cellular basis of memory.
Long-term potentiation
Aphasia
Loss of ability to comprehend or formulate language; different from a developmental delay or dysfunction
Agnosia
Loss of ability to interpret sensations
Acalculia
Loss of ability to perform math calculations
Low Potency antipsychotics
Low Potency only means that a higher dosage is needed for the desired effect, and does not have to do with side effects and sedative power. Low Potency antipsychotics are known to have significant side effects and sedative power.
High Potency medications include:
Loxitane (loxapine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Navane (thiothixene), Haldol (Haloperidol), Risperdal (risperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), and Abilify (aripiprazole)
____ block the action of enzymes that break down norepinephrine and serotonin
MAOIs
side effects of ____ include anticholingergic symptoms, insomnia, headaches, confusion, termor, and sexual dysfunction
MAOIs
How do EEG & MEG differ?
MEG offers higher spatial resolution than EEG. Similar to EEG, MEG is used in the diagnosis of epilepsy and pre-surgical planning; however, it is not as popular as EEG or other measures of brain activity because of its higher cost.
How do PET & MRI differ?
MRI does not use radioactive materials like PET.
MRI, FMRI, and MR Spectroscopy
MRI: uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the strucute of the brain as well as organs and tissue. Most frequently used imaging test FMRI: examines brain activitu and functioning. how the blood flows to the brain during a specific task MR Spectroscopy: used to detect metabolic chances in the brain that may be consistent with certain disease processes
Diencephalon
Made up of the thalamic bodies
Drug Description
Mainly the listing of chemical ingredients, with their dosages and formulas, that make up a specific drug.
Central Sulcus
Major dividing sulcus in the cortex, separating the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
GABA and Glycine
Major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS, and they have a calming effect. Benzodiazepines are GABA agonists, increasing the levels of GABA and thereby reducing levels of overarousal.
Orbitofrontal Cortex
Manages emotions and rewards in decision making
Pituitary
Master endocrine gland. Releases hormones that activate other endocrine glands. Pituitary is regulated by the hypothalamus
PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS
May be classified in various ways, including chemical structure, clinical effect, and pharmacologic mechanism.
Frontal Lobe
Mediates planning and necessary functions of planning
Usually used to treat atypical symptoms of depression, ________ block the action of enzymes that break down norepinephrine and serotonin, thereby making them more available at synapses.
Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine [Nardil], tranylcypromine [Parnate])
The ________ contains vital centers that control digestion, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing; damage to it often leads to death.
Medulla Oblongota
What 2 parts of the brain are contained in the brain stem?
Medulla Oblongota and Pons
Sensory memory
Memory of stimuli after stimuli is removed; lasts less than a second
What occurs in women as a result of a drop in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone and is characterized by hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, urinary incontinence, and vaginal changes?
Menopause
Often used to treat ADHD, ________ is a psychostimulant that decreases motor activity, diminishes impulsivity, and increases concentration and attention.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
This area of the brain contains the substantia nigra and reticular formation; all information passing between the brain and the spinal cord passes through it.
Midbrain (aka mesencephalon)
Medial
Middle
Septum
Moderates or increases aggression. Damage to the septum can result in Septal rage syndrome.
Brain Stem
Most primitive part of the brain, an extension of the spinal cord. Consists of the Pons, Medulla, and reticular formation. - Pons and the Medulla: Involved in sleep (including initiation of REM), respiration, movement, and cardiovascular activity. Damage could lead to failure of bodily functions and death. - Reticular Formation: Important in awareness, attention, and sleep. Part of the reticular formation, the reticular activating system (RAS). projects to the thalamus. RAS involved in sleep-wake cycle, serves as a filter for incoming sensory.
Sense of smell
Most primitive sense
Parkinson's Disease
Motor disease characterized by shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking; caused by lack of dopamine in substantia nigra
Huntington's Disease
Movement disorder caused by cell death in the caudate nucleus; characterized by uncontrolled movements and results in dementia
Paresis
Muscle weakness
Prosody
Musical quality of speech
Wellbutrin
NDRI
Reuptake
NTs in the synaptic cleft are taken up by the pre-synaptic neurons terminal buttons and therefore never reach the adjoining neuron
Trabeculae
Network of arteries, veins, and connective tissues in the meninges
MRI
Neural imaging that uses magnetic fields to create an image of the brain; useful for identifying small details in the brain and is used in non-urgent situations
abnormal levels of acetylcholine have been linked to what diagnosis?
Neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's Disease
These are the information processing units of the nervous system and are made of 3 primary parts: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and axon.
Neurons
Mirror Neurons
Neurons which activate when viewing someone doing something or imagining yourself doing something; believed to be primary neurological component of empathy
Glutamate
Neurotransmitter responsible for cellular metabolism, learning, and memory; implicated in many mental and physical illnesses
Norepinephrine - Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors
Newer drugs used to treat depression; Wellbutrin
Two main types of sleep
Non rapid eyemeovemnt and rapid evemonent. Brain waives differ depending on state of alertness. Beta waves characterize alertness and attention. Alpha waves are present during relaxation
What 3 neurotransmitters are grouped into the class referred to as catecholamines?
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline), epinephrine (adrenaline), and dopamine
Depleted levels of ________ and ________ at brain synapses are associated with some types of depression, while excessive levels are associated with ________.
Norepinephrine; dopamine; schizophrenia
research has linked _______ to abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, thalamus, and basal ganglia
OCD
Efferent Nerves
Part of the somatic nervous system which relay signals from the brain to the body to initiate functions, actions, and behaviors
Broca's Aphasia
Partial or total loss of ability to produce language
paresis
Partial severing of the spinal cord
Frontal Lobe
Occupy largest portion of our brain, about 1/3 of the entire brain. There are three main division of the frontal lobe: 1. Prefrontal cortex, critical to personality, emotionality, inhibition, planning, initiative, abstract thinking, judgement, and higher mental functions (cognitive flexibility) that makes us unique human beings. 2. Premotor area, involved in planning movement,. 3. Motor area instigates voluntary movement . - Broca's area in located in the left frontal lobe, controls the muscles that produce speech. - Damage to the frontal lobe may result in loss of movement of various body parts (paralysis), changes in personality, emotional lability, perseveration, inattention, difficulty with problem solving, and inability to express language (Broca's Aphasia).
Pseudodementia
Older people with depression can exhibit mild cognitive dysfunction. Difference between NCD is that people with PD complain about memory loss and people with NCD tend to lack insight into their conidtion and deny memory loss. Also, symptoms go away when depression is treated. not with NCD
Acetylcholine (Ach)
One of the most common neurotransmitters. Involved on two significant functions: voluntary movement, and memory and cognition. Poison of black widow spider, which causes paralysis, directly affects acetylcholine. Ach is also particularly prevalent in the hippocampus, which is responsible for the consolidation of long term memory. Deficiency in Ach are observed in Alzheimer's disease.
Cerebrum
Outer most layer of the brain; contains the cortex and its connecting axons; also known as the telencephalon
Cerebral Cortex
Outside surface of the brain, is at birth the least developed part of the brain. It is, however, developed in humans than in other animals. - Highly convoluted with folds (Gyri). These folds allow for expansion of the cortical surface area without increasing the size of the brain. - The cerebral cortex is divided into two halves: right and left hemisphere, which are connected with a thick band of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. - Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes: the Frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. - The lobes are separated from each other by elongated grooves (Sulci). - Left hemisphere control rights side of the body, while rights controls left side of the body. - Each side of the brain has an important, distinct functions.
Prosopagnosia and anosognosia
P: inability to recognize a familiar face. retro and anterograde. occurs despite things like normal vision, memory attention, etc.... Thought to be due to injury in the visual association cortex A: lack of awareness of a disability/the nature of one's illness. Ex: people with Wernicke's dont realize they are speaking gibberish. stems from deficits in frontal or parietal lobes
Difference between Pharmacokinetics (PK) & Pharmacodynamics (PD)
PK entails what the body does to the drug, while PD is what the drug does to the body
Phenylketonuria
PKU - caused by poor metabolic processing of amino acid phenylalanine
_____ was proposed as a brain mechanism that mediates the experience and expression of emotion
Papez's Circuit
______ includes the hippocampusm mammillary bodies, anterior nucleui of the thalamus, and cingulated gyrus
Papez's Circuit
This term means "partial paralysis" and is characterized by muscle weakness without full paralysis; one cause is less severe damage to the spinal cord.
Paresis
damage to the ______ may cause apraxia
Parietal Lobe
location of the somatosensory cortex
Parietal Lobe
What motor disorder is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, involuntary movements, akinesia (slowed movement, emotionless speech, blank facial expression), posture and equilibrium disturbances, and often depression?
Parkinson's Disease
______ has been linked to a degeneration of neurons that secrete dopamine in the substantia Nigra
Parkinson's Disease
______ is a progressive degenerative disorder that is characterized by prominent motor symptoms
Parkinson's Disease
_______ is caused by degeneration of the substantia nigra
Parkinson's Disease
four disorders related to dysfunction in the basal ganglia
Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's and OCD
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of the ANS responsible for activation, arousal, and "fight or flight" responses
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Part of the ANS responsible for relaxation, maintenance, and routine activities
Limbic System
Part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory processing
Cingulate Cortex
Part of the brain responsible for linking behavioral outcomes to motivation or emotional response to an outcome
Reticular Formation
Part of the brain responsible for maintaining arousal and consciousness
Cerebellum
Part of the brain responsible for motor coordination
Medulla
Part of the brain responsible for regulating breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
Pons
Part of the brain responsible for regulating involuntary movement
Basal Ganglia
Part of the brain responsible for regulating voluntary movement
Parietal Lobe
Part of the brain responsible for somatosensory processing
Primary Motor Cortex
Part of the frontal lobe responsible for coordination and initiation of voluntary movement
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the nervous system responsible for sensory information and controlling voluntary movement
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary functions of life such as heart rate, breathing, hormone management, etc.
Dopamine
Part of the reward system in the brain; used to treat Parkinson's and ADHD
Afferent Nerves
Part of the somatic nervous system responsible for relaying sensation information from the body to the brain
Basal Ganglia
Plays a vital role in the regulation and coordination of movement and with establishing posture. The Basal Ganglia are inhibitory, and put brakes on movement. - Basil Ganglia Problems: 1. Huntington's - Degeneration of caudate nucleus & putamen, Unwanted thrusting movements, 2. Parkinson's - Loss of dopaminergic neurons, Substantia Nigra, Tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia. - Two other disorders related to the basal ganglia abnormalities include Tourette's and OCD.
Referred to as the "master gland," the ________ secretes hormones that act directly on organs (e.g., growth hormone, antidiuretic hormone) as well as hormones that influence the secretions of other glands.
Pituitary gland
Hippocampus
Primary function is memory, particularly the consolidation of conscious memories. Hippocampus stores new information and events as lasting memories.
Regarding human sexual behavior, what are the 2 primary sources of sex hormone?
Pituitary gland and gonads (ovaries/testes)
Endocrine Disorders
Pituitary is considered master endocrine gland as releases hormones that activate other endocrine glands. The Pituitary gland itself is regulated by the hypothalamus.
This term refers to the study of the relationship between the magnitude of physical stimuli and psychological sensations (subjective correlates; percepts).
Psychophysics
Lying directly above the medulla and connecting the 2 sides of the cerebellum, the ________ helps in the regulation of arousal states.
Pons
Stroke
Poor blood flow to part of the brain resulting in cell death
This functional brain imaging technique uses small amounts of injected radioactive material to measure regional cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, or oxygen consumption; it is useful for identifying brain dysfunction due to stroke, epilepsy, tumor, and other conditions.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Functional Techniques
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Electroencephalography (EEG) Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
PET
Positron emission tomography - uses radioactive material to measure glucose usage to measure brain activity; useful in measuring localized brain function
The Axon: Action Potential
Potassium and Sodium ions switch places which releases neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft. Plays a vital role in cell to cell communication. At rest, outside of cell contains an excessive potassium ions (K+). The neuron's axon is especially sensitive to changes in the electrical charge of its membrane. When a stimulus of sufficient charge reaches a resting neuron, sodium (Na+) outside the cell membrane rushes into the cell, creating an action potential (an electrical impulse). Potassium then moves outside the cell. The action potential travels the entire length of the axon to the boutons (terminal button), releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (synapse), the small space separating neurons. Some of the released neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft and bind to receptor sites on dendrites of adjacent neurons, thus continuing the chain of communication. In addition to this process, reuptake occurs. neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft are taken up by the pre-synaptic neurons's terminal buttons and therefore never reach adjoining neuron.
While Fechner's law of psychophysics states that changes in the magnitude of a physical stimulus are logarithmically related to changes in physical sensations, Stevens' ________ proposes there is an exponential relationship between the magnitude of physical stimuli and internal sensations, with the exponent varying for different types of stimuli.
Power law
Damage to this area of the frontal lobe usually results in decreased motivation, difficulty making decisions, deficient self-awareness, poor social control, and perseveration.
Prefrontal cortex
Positive Symptoms
Presence of an abnormal behavior
Tonic-Clonic Generalized Seizure
Previously grand mal seizures; results in loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body, and jerking movements of the arms and legs
Absence Seizure
Previously petit-mal seizures; victim appears to be staring into space
Anomic Aphasia
Problems recalling names or words. The person speaks roundabout way and resort to description to express a certain word they cannot remember. Results from damage to parietal or temporal lobe.
Temporal Lobe
Processing and storing auditory information
Occipital Lobe
Processing and storing visual information
A person who is unable to recognize familiar faces, though maintains the capacity to recognize other objects, and can identify others by the sound of their voice, style of dress, or other characteristics likely has this type of agnosia.
Prosopagnosia
Meninges
Protective material around brain and spinal cord; Three layers
During this period of sleep, paradoxically, EEG activity is typical of an aroused nervous system, while the person's responsiveness to the environment is very low.
REM (rapid eye movement)
the most vivid dreams occur during _______
REM sleep
Conduction Aphasia
Rare and results from lesion to the connecting pathway between the expressive and receptive speech areas. Intact language comprehension, speak fluently, but are unable to repeat verbal phrases. They resemble people with wernicke's aphasias in that they speak fluently but make no sense. However, unlike people with Wernicke's, they are able to execute verbal command because they can still comprehend language.
Dendrites
Receive info from other neurons by capturing neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft (space btw neurons) at their receptor sites. A neuron may have hundreds or thousands of dendrites.
Peripheral Nervous System
Receiving and communicating end of the nervous system; made up of sensory and motor neurons
Theory of Mind
Recognition that others have a different perspective of same events
Synesthesia
Refers to a sensation that occurs in one sense modality when another modality has been stimulated - e.g., perceiving auditory stimuli as color.
Aphasia
Refers to loss of language ability due to damage in the brain.
Thalamus
Relay station of the brain
Dystonia
Repetitive twisting or abnormal posture
What term refers to the process whereby terminal buttons take up and store excess neurotransmitters for future use?
Reuptake
Brain Stem
Responsible for basic life functions
Prefrontal Cortex
Responsible for complex executive functions such as reasoning, judgement, decision making, and inhibition
Amygdala
Responsible for emotional memory, specifically fear based memories
Premotor Cortex
Responsible for planning voluntary movement; contains mirror neurons
Hippocampus
Responsible for storing memories from short-term to long-term and responsible for spatial memory
Traumatic Brain Injury
Results from external mechanical force; can result in disability or death; categorized based on severity, closed or penetrating, or location
Addison's Disease
Results from under secretion of corticosteroids, or adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms include: apathy, weakness, irritability, depression, and gastrointestinal disturbance.
Wernicke's Aphasia
Results in lesions in left temporal lobe. Have no language comprehension. Cannot follow verbal commands or repeat phrases. They speak fluently, but what they are saying is complete nonsense. They are unaware of their problem (anosognosia) and expect others to be able to understand them. Wernicke's considered receptive or sensory aphasia.
The ________ is crucial for maintaining a waking state, arousal, and attention; neurons from it arouse the brain and facilitate information reception by appropriate neural structures.
Reticular Activating System
the _____ is a network of nerve fibers involved in wakefulness, arousal, and consciousness
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
What brain structure plays a role in respiration and reflex control, pain and touch sensations, and sleep and arousal?
Reticular Formation
damage to the ______ is associated with a quick-impulsive behavioral style
Right Hemisphere
contralateral neglect is usually the result of damage to the ______
Right Parietal Lobe
In general, the ________ hemisphere is associated with creativity, understanding spatial relations, emotional expression, and facial recognition while the ________ hemisphere is involved with analytical thinking, logic, and language (written and spoken).
Right; left
Of the 2 kinds of receptors in the eye, ________ are sensitive only to brightness levels and are specifically adapted to sense stimuli in low levels of light, while ________ are responsible for seeing color and function only in brighter environments.
Rods; cones
Health Belief model
Rosenstock. Belief model that is multicasual, positing that in addition to psychosocial factors, there are 6 constructs that predict health behavior: perceived susceptibility to disease, perceived benefits of preventative action, perceived barriers to preventative action, cues to action, and self-efficacy.
Rods
Sensitive to degrees of brightness. They sense stimuli in low levels of light; are located at the periphery of the retina
How do SPECT & PET differ?
SPECT differs from a PET scan in that the tracer remains in the blood stream rather than being absorbed by surrounding tissue; especially useful to visualize blood flow through arteries and veins in the brain.
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAOI
_____ block the reuptake of serotonin at nerve synapses
SSRIs
the dopamine hypothesis was the first biochemical theory of_______.
Schizophrenia
The ________ serves to inhibit emotionality; in rats, lesions produce hyper-emotionality and rage, while electrical stimulation is extremely pleasurable.
Septum
A lack of this neurotransmitter is linked to depression, OCD, PTSD, and aggression, while high levels play a role in schizophrenia, anorexia, and autism.
Serotonin
Atypical Antipsychotics
Second generation anti-psychotics which were created in the 1990s; blocks both dopamine and serotonin; can result in metabolism disorders
Brain: Cerebellum
Second largest strangest, after cerebrum. Provides Excitatory inputs responsible for maintaining smooth movement and coordinating motor activity. Controls the automatic adjustment of posture and muscle tone that result in our ability to maintain balance and equilibrium, and is involved in motor learning. - Ataxia: lack of coordination.
Commonly used to treat depression, OCD, panic disorder, binge eating, and other anxiety disorders, ________ work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing the availability at the synapse.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine [Prozac], sertraline [Zoloft], paroxetine [Paxil])
Lateral
Side
Hypothalamus
Situated below the thalamus. Through its connections to the endocrine systems (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands), and autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamus serves a major role in homeostasis, including regulating temperature, hunger, thirst, sex, cyclic sex hormone secretion (menstrual cycle), aggression, and the sleep-wake cycle. - Within the hypothalamus, the group of cells called the suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN) is considered the body's circadian clock because it regulates sleep-wake cycle. - The hypothalamus influences the pituitary gland by secreting hypothalamic releasing and hypothalamic inhibiting hormones (e.g., thyrotropin- releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone). - In response to the hypothalamic hormones, pituitary secrets its hormones (e.g., growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone) that activate the other endocrine glands (e.g., thyroid, pancreas).
Bradykinesia
Slow movement
Parts of the Peripheral Nervous system
Somatic and Autonomic Nervous system
Regarding the PNS, the ________ controls the actions of skeletal muscles, is responsible for voluntary movement, and responds to signals from the 5 senses; the ________ regulates involuntary activity (e.g., heartbeat, breathing) and has 2 subdivisions- the sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Somatic nervous system; autonomic nervous system
This part of the CNS is responsible for carrying information between the brain and the PNS.
Spinal cord
NATURAL/HERBAL MEDICATIONS
St. John's Wort: an herbal product shown to treat depression & anxiety SAM-e :shown effective for depression Omega-3: shown effective for depression & bipolar disorder
Akathisia
State of agitation, distress, and restlessness caused by antipsychotic medication
Long-term Memory
Stored memory
Parkinson's disease results from degeneration of neurons in this brain structure.
Substantia Nigra
____ block the reuptake of norepinephrine as well as serotonin and/or dopamine at nerve synapses
TCAs
Tricyclic Antidepressants
TCAs - used to treat depression but have dangerous side effects
The ________ division of the autonomic nervous system mobilizes the body's resources and prepares for "fight or flight," while the ________ system deactivates the once active organs and is active during relaxation.
Sympathetic; parasympathetic
What is the small space that separates individual neurons called?
Synapse (or synaptic cleft)
Language-Dominant Temporal Lobe
Temporal lobe most responsible for processing and storing language based sounds; usually the left side
Non-language Dominant Temporal Lobe
Temporal lobe responsible for processing and storing non-language based sounds; usually the right lobe
Short-term memory
Temporary immediate recall of information for processing; lasts less than a minute
What brain structure relays incoming sensory information to the cortex for all senses but olfaction, is involved in language, memory, and motor activity, and regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness?
Thalamus
Describe how MRI works.
The MRI machine itself contains a large magnet. Hydrogen atoms (i.e., protons) in the brain rotate themselves to a particular orientation with respect to the magnet. The MRI machine records the radio frequencies emitted by the hydrogen atoms. MRI scanning results in high-resolution structural images of the brain.
ANTI-OBSESSIONAL
This is a useful sub-category of the main antidepressant list, emphasized because of their effects on obsessive thoughts via serotonergic action. It is mostly comprised of SSRIs and includes Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, and also the TCA Anafrenil
Brain
The control center for all voluntary and most involuntary behavior. The major divisions of the brain are: 1. Cerebrum, consisting of the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas. 2. Cerebellum 3. Brain stem
The notion that schizophrenia is the result of overactivity of dopamine is referred to as what?
The dopamine hypothesis
What bodily system is made up of ductless, hormone secreting glands that travel through the blood to influence organ function?
The endocrine system
somesthesis
The faculty of bodily perception; sensory systems associated with the body; includes skin senses and proprioception and the internal organs. Includes: Touch, Body Position, Temperature, & Pain
The ________ is involved in motor behavior, executive functions, expressive language, and orientation to person, place, and time; it consists of the primary motor, premotor, and prefrontal cortex.
The frontal lobe
Pharmacotherapeutics
The general study of the therapeutic uses of drugs.
What lobe of the brain contains the primary auditory cortex and is associated with memory, emotion, and receptive language?
The temporal lobe
Alzheimer's Disease
The most common form of dementia. Patients suffer a decline in memory and at least one other form of cognitive functioning, with a progressive, steady decline and no mixed etiology
Glutamate
The most common neurotransmitters, is Mediator of fast excitatory synaptic transmission. Abnormal glutamate transmission is suspected in Schizophrenia, OCD, Autistic Disorder, and depression.
This part of the brain contains the visual cortex; damage can lead to ________, or the inability to recognize familiar objects by sight.
The occipital lobe; visual agnosia
Describe optic nerve fibers.
The optic nerve contains 2 bundles of fibers. The inner bundle goes to the opposite side of the brain as the outer bundle. The left field signals go to the right and the right field signals go to the left.
This lobe of the brain integrates sensory information from different modalities, particularly determining spatial sense and navigation.
The parietal lobe
Drug Formulation
The pharmaceutical process by which certain chemical substances, including the active agent, are synthesized to produce the final drug.
Bioavailability
The portion of a drug that reaches the blood, or the physiological availability of a given amount of a drug, versus its chemical potency. It is a main principle of pharmacokinetics.
all-or-none principle
The principle that when a neuron fires, it fires with the same potency each time; a neuron either fires or not—it cannot partially fire, although the frequency of firing can vary.
Peptide Neurotransmitters
There are dozens of them, consisting of long chains of amino acids. Enkephalins and Endorphins also known as endogenous opioids, regulate stress and pain. Another peptide, Substance P, is also involved in pain regulation.
ANTIPSYCHOTICS
These medications are mainly used to treat psychotic illness; they can also be used as adjuncts for depressive disorders when appropriate. This class can be further divided in low and high potency, as well as typical (traditional) and atypical (newer).
Split Brain Patients (Regarding corpus callosum )
These patients have had their corpus callosum severed to reduce epileptic seizures. With a severed corpus callosum, the right hemisphere still processes the experiences of the left side of the body, and vice-versa. However, information can no longer be shared with or transferred to the opposite hemisphere. - Example, in the classical study of the split-brain patients, the word HEART flashed on the left, and it was processed on the right side. With severed corpus callosum unable to share that information with left side (which responsible verbalizing it in language), patients were unable to say it out loud. On the other hand, if it were flashed in right visual field, split brain patients would be able to say the word HEART since it would be processed by the left side, hence where language in controlled.
How do antipsychotics work?
They block dopamine receptors in the brain
How do tricyclics work?
They block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine at the synapse
What is true about a person's cortisol levels throughout a single day?
They typically peak early in the day and fall in the evening
Pia Mater
Thinnest last layer of the meninges
HYPNOTICS
This class includes mostly "sleepers," such as Dalmane (flurazepam), Doral (quazepam), Restoril (temazepan), the newer Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplan), and Lunesta (eszoplclone), as well as the antihistaminic Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for its sedative side effects.
ANTI-ANXIETY
This class of medications can be further divide into Benzodiazepines and Other Anti-Anxiety Agents. They are widely used to treat both anxiety and mood disorders, and can be adjuncts in antipsychotic regimes.
Retina
This comprises the inner lining of the eyeball
Lens
This focuses the light waves on the retina
MOOD STABILIZERS and ANTI-CONVULSANTS
This is a class of drugs commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. Anti-convulsants were traditionally manufactured for the treatment of epileptic seizures, but subsequently found useful also as mood stabilizers. Examples include: Eskalith and Lithonate (lithium carbonate), Symbiax (a synthesis of olanzapine and fluoxetine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Depakote (divalproex), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topomax (topiramate), and Gabirtril (tiagabine).
Low Potency medications include:
Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Mellaril (thioridazine), Clozaril (Clozapine), and Seroquil (quietapine)
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
Thought to exert a general inhibitory effect on the reuptake of all monoamine neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Due to their many side effects and dietary restrictions, TCA's are typically only prescribed if SSRI's are ineffective. Commonly TCAs include Tofranil-imipramine & Anafranil-clomipramine.
What gland controls metabolism through its release of the hormone thyroxin?
Thyroid gland
Heschel's Convolutions
Tonotopic reception of auditory stimuli which corresponds to equivalent frequency in the cochlea and is located in the superior gyrus of the temporal lobe
Anterior
Top
Dura Mater
Toughest outer layer of the meninges
With respect to movement, excess dopamine or an increased sensitivity to dopamine receptors is related to ________, while degeneration of dopamine secreting neurons is linked to the ________.
Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease
Serotonin Syndrome
Toxic levels of serotonin
________ antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol) are most useful at alleviating positive symptoms of psychosis, whereas ________ antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine, risperidone) effectively alleviate both positive and negative symptoms.
Traditional (typical); atypical
Cornea
Transparent covering in the front of the eye
What type of antidepressants work by blocking norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake at the synapse, and are used not only to treat depression, but panic attacks, OCD, bulimia, chronic pain, and agoraphobia?
Tricyclics (e.g., imipramine [Tofranil], clomipramine [Anafranil], amitriptyline [Elavil])
Benzodiazepines
Valium (diazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepan)
Subcortical Brain Areas
Tucked into the center of the brain and surrounded by the cerebral cortex are the subcortical areas. It includes the corpus callosum, the limbic system, and the basal ganglia.
Benzodiazapines
Two categories: considered anxiolytics when their major function ins anxiety reductis and sedative/hypnotics when their main purpose is to induce sedation and improve sleep. busiprone is non benzo, but takes 2-4 weeks to work and cant be taken as needed. Beta blockers usually treat high BP, but propranolol can prevent physical symptoms of anxiety
Joint Attention
Two or more people paying attention to the same object
Sulcus
Valley of the cortex
Hypo and Hyperpituitarianism
Under and over secretion of pituitary growth hormones Hypo: can cause dwarfism and puberty delay in kids. can cause gonadal failure in adultes along with other things like hypothyroidism, diabeties, etc) Hyper: startling skeletal overgrowth resulting giantism or acromegaly
Hypothyroidism
Under-secretion of thyroxine, results in unexplained weight gain, sluggishness, fatigue, impaired memory and intellectual functioning, and sensitivity to cold.
Clinical applications of PET
Used primarily to study cognitive processes, although brain lesions may be detected when a lack of activity is observed in regions where activity would be otherwise expected.
Mood Stabilizers
Used to treat bipolar disorder; lithium is in this category of drug
Neuroangiography
Used to visualize lesions in blood vessels by injecting contrast material into the vasculature and radiographing the difference; invasive and requires anesthesia
Major Depressive Disorder (anti deps)
all of the ADs have been found to be effective. SSRI's have fewer distressing side effects and are safer. usually first line of treatment for Depression
Acetylcholine
Voluntary Movement and Memory/cognition Poison of black widow spider causes paralysis and directly effects acetylcholine. Prevalent in hippocampus (memory). Deficiencies linked to Alzheimer's
_____ is a major language area and damage produces deficits in the comprehension and production of speech
Wernicke's Area
Caused by damage to particular area of the temporal lobe, ________ is characterized by severe deficits in language comprehension; speech is usually normal sounding but does not make sense and familiar objects are unable to be named (dysnomia).
Wernicke's aphasia (aka fluent or receptive aphasia)
Describe the charactersitics of fMRI
When superimposed upon structural MRI images, fMRI can allow for a three-dimensional visualization of the site of activity.
Decussation
Where incoming signals cross fibers to opposite hemisphere
Handedness development
While hand preference typically emerges around age 2, it only becomes firmly established around age 7 to 8.
PSYCHOSTIMULANTS
Widely used in the treatment of attention deficit disorders, this list includes Ritalin and Concerta (methylphenidate), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), and Adderall (d- and l- amphetamine).
Ataxia
Without coordination
suffix of first generation antipsychotics (traditional, typical) most commonly prescribed
Zine, xene, ine, ide, one Thorazine (chlorpromazine), prolixin (fluphenazine), haldol (haloperidol), trilafon (perphanazine
Computerized Tomography (CT)
a method that involves passing X-rays through the brain from several different angles, creating multiple images which are digitally integrated into a two dimensional model; provides info on the density of brain tissues based on differential absorption of x-rays
Stages in Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome
alarm stage resistance stage exhaustion stage
action potentials operate on a _______
all-or-none principle
basal ganglia
a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements
Major Neurocog disorder with Lewy bodies
abnormal aggregations of the protein alpha-synuclein. similar sympomts to AZ, but also includes visual hallucinations, sleept distrubances, and parkinsonian features like muscle rigidity
Tardive Dyskenesia
abnormal movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw (lip smacking, grimacing, chewing) and may involve the arms and trunk as well. develops after long term use, more common with 1st gen, not harmful. may be reversable, 50% of patients after meds are discontinues
Ahlzheimer's disease is related to an under production of ____
acetylcholine
Drugs that interfere with the breakdown of _______ are used to treat memory problems and other cognitive problems in those with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease
acetylcholine
Nicotine enhances alertness and memory by mimicking _______ at nicotinic receptor sites.
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter involved in the formation of memories
acetylcholine
type of neurotransmitter prevalent in the hippocampus
acetylcholine
Classical Neurotransmitters
acetylcholine (Ach), catecholamines (dopamine and norepinephrine), serotonin, amino acids
excitatory neurotransmitters
acetylcholine, epinephrine, glutamate
mirror neurons
activated by action observation, or when an individual witnesses actions performed by others
Generalized seizures; Tonic clonic and absence
affect the entire brain and always involve a loss of consciousness Tonic clonic (grand mal): start with a sudden loss of consciousness and tonic activity (stiffening) followed by clonic activity (ryhtmic jerking muscle relaxing and contracting). After these seizures ppl usually have headache, fatigue, confusion, and amnesia for the seizure Absence (petit mal): mostly occur in kids beginning around the age of 5. seizures last from 1-30 seconds and begin with a brief change in level of consciousness followed by blinking, rollin eyes, blank state, twitching mouth. the person appears to be day dreaming and posture is retained, pre-seizure activity is returned to without difficulty
______ produce effects similar to those produced by an endogenous neurotransmitter
agnoists
Two categories of Neurotransmitters (agonist and antagonist) Also excitatory and inhibitory
agonist: any substance that enhances the effect of the NT Antagonist: any substance that inhibits the NT effect Excitatory: (acetylcholine, NE, Glutamate) increase the likelihood of an action potential inhibitory: (GABA, endorphines) decrease the likelihood of an action potential
low GABA is associated with
anxiety and seizures
agonist
any substance that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter
antagonist
any substance that inhibits the effect of the neurotransmitter
Damage to the left hemisphere results in:
aphasia & other language problems; apraxia; difficulties with the right side of the body
dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia
argues that delusions, halucinations, and agitation associated with schizophrenia arise from either too much dopamine or from oversensitivity to dopamine in the brain
somatic nervous system
carries signals from the skeletal muscles and senses to the CNS and from the CNS to the skeletal muscles
amygdala
attaches emotional significance to sensory input, strongly implicated in fear (startle response), aggression, and emotional memory. it essentially controls the fear response, receiving and integrating sensory input to determine level of threat. also involved in memory of fear and linked to PTSD stimulating it increases aggression. Whne its removed or destroyed, aggression is dimished. Kluver-bucy syndrome-damage to amydgala. results in placidity, apathy, hypersexuality, hyperphagia (excessive eating), and agnosias (problems with recogniton)
Metabolic effects
atypical AS. major weight gain and changes in metabolism. increases rick of diabeities and high cholesterol
side effects of ____ include anticholinergic effects, lowered seizure threshold, and sedation
atypical antipsychotics (i.e.: Clozaril, Risperdal)
MAOI's are best for treating
atypical depression: increased, hypersomnia, mood reactivity, rejection sensitivity, accompanying anxiety
Hair cells are...
auditory receptors.
occipital lobe
back of the brain, primary visual cortex damage is not common but can lead to problems recognizing drawn objects, probs identifying colors, hallucinations, illusions, word blindness, and problems reading and writing
comprised of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra
basal ganglia
Biggest difference between the basal ganglia and the cerebellum
basal ganglia is inhibitory and cerebellum is excitatory
presumed mechanism of action: antidepressants
block reuptake of serotonin and/or norepinephrine, this increasing those levels in the brain. Wellbutrin is diff bc it increases domaine.
What are aspects of metabolic brain activity measured by PET?
blood flow, glucose metabolism, and oxygen consumption
Sympathetic nervous system
body's "mobilizing system." Fight or flight and is dominant during times of stress. when this mobilizing system is activated, hormones are released into the bloodstream which result in increased respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure and decreases the process of digestion and elimination.
CNS is composed of
brain and spinal cord
sympathetic
branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates bodily functions
Parasympathetic
branch of the autonomic nervous system that returns the body to a resting state
corpus callosum
bundle of nerve fibers that connects left and right hemispheres even when CC is not intact, the left side always controls the right and vice versa it allows for communication btw the hemispheres. in split brain patients, the info cannot be shared. no language in right hemisphere, so if you see a word on the right and are split brain, you are not able to verbalize it.
Side effects of MAOI ADs
can cause orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing), weight gain, edema, sec dysfunction, ad insomnia. Most serious side ffect is tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis. So ppl taking these meds cant eat foods high in thimaine bc it can trigger a dangerous increase in BP. symptoms include severe headache, still neck, palpatations, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Food to be avoided include red wine, aged cheese, liver, orange pupl, pacaked soups, etc. can only have things like soy sauce, banannas, avocados, pluns, and yogurt in moderation. can also interact with SSRIs and cause serotinin syndrome.
tolerance/withdrawal/dependence/OD with stimulants
can cause psychological dependence and drug use. they have "street value" as uppers. can cause physical dependence, addition, tolerance, and withdrawal. withdrawal symptoms include increased appetite, weight gain, increased sleep, decreased energy, adn uncommonly paranoid symptms. OD is rarely lethal
overdose of tricyclics
cardiac arrythmia, sudden death
Haldol exerts its effects primarily by blocking _______ receptors in certain areas of the brain.
dopamine
action potential
cell-cell communication .At rest, out side of the cell has an excess of sodium ions, while the inside has an excess of potassium ions. when a stimulus of sufficient charge reaches a resting neuron, the na outside of teh cell rushes into the cell, creating an action potential (electric pulse). K moves out of the cell. The AP travels the entire length of the axon to the boutons (terminal buttons) releasing NTs into the synapse (small space btw neurons).
_____ includes the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
the _____ is almost completely undeveloped at birth
cerebral cortex
Two layers of the cerebrum
cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
major divisions of the brain
cerebrum (cerebral cortex and sub cortical areas), cerebellum, and brain stem
three areas of the brain
cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem
damage at the ____ level of the spinal cord causes quadriplegia
cervical
The spinal cord 4 regions
cervical/neck, thoracic/chest.,lumbar/back, and sacral region
absence seizure
characterized by a loss of consciousness without prominent motor symptoms
visual agnosia
characterized by an inability to name an object while being able to demonstrate its use or matching it to similar objects. It is often caused by a stroke involving the posterior cerebral artery.
clonic seizures
characterized by jerky movements
Wernicke's aphasia
characterized by rapid speech which may seem effortless but is largely devoid of content and may include anomia, problems with repetition, and paraphasia
Kluver-Bucy Syndrome
characterized by reduced fear and aggression, increased docility, and compulsive oral exploratory behaviors, altered diet habits, hypersexuality, and psychic blindness
ataxia
characterized by slurred speech, severe tremors, and loss of balance
Parkinsons
characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and shufflinf gait. Neuropsychiatric symptms like depression or a neuro disorder. depression may precede onset by servarl years. up to 40% of patients developed a major NCD. incidence is about 1/10th of alzheimers. include alpha-synuclean aggreagtes in substantia nigra (basal ganglia). The aggregates are thought to cause degeneration of nerve cells that produce dopamine. L-dopa is used to treat the movement componets. However, it does not alter th progression or decrease neuro symptoms
RNA
chemical mediator for learning and memory
two types of neurotransmitters
classical & peptide neurotransmitters
damage to the right hemisphere results in:
cognitive/visual spatial abnormalities & affective abnormalities
Side effects of antipsychotics (1st and 2nd gen)
common SE's include sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, anticholinergec effects, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. 1st:most significant side effects are extrapyramidal. All AS can cause tardive dyskenia, but chancel are lower in 2nd gen. However, 2nd gen carries a higher risk of metabolic side effects. clozapine: higer risk of arganulocytosis
Korsakoff's Syndrome
common alcohol induced NCD. results from chronic thiamin deficiency. Most significant problem is anterograde amnesia (difficulty forming new memories). They can also suffer from retrograde amnesia. Confabulation can occur. Also, lack of insight, limited spontaneous conversation, disorientation, apathy, irritability, executive funciton problems
Kluver-Bucy syndrome
complete removal of the amygdala; results in placidity, apathy, hyper sexuality, excessive eating, and agnosias
begin in the temporal lobe; involve impaired consciousness and involuntary chewing, lip smacking, fidgeting, and walking in circles
complex partial seizure
timbre
complexity of sound waves
____ is caused by damage to the arcuate fasciculus and does not significantly affect comprehension but does result in anomia, paraphasia, and impaired repetition
conduction aphasia
Peptide Neurotransmitters
consist of long chains of amino acid. Two of them, enkephalins and endorphins, also known as endogenous opioids, help regulate stress and pain. Substance P is involved in pain regulation.
hippocampus
consolidates conscious memories
two types of catecholamines
dopamine and norepinhephrine
parietal lobe
contain primary sensory areas that process somatosensory information. enable us to integrate sensations of tough and merging things like shape, size and weight into a 3d experience of objects. also processes sensations of pain, heat and prorpiosensation (ability to sense position, location, and movement in the body). right side: attention and visual spatial skills Left side: overlearned motor routines and linguistic skills like reading and writing damage can cause anomia (inability to name objects), agraphia, alexia, acalculia, difficuluty drawing objects, problems with left and right, lack of awareness of certain body parts, hand eye coordination, and probs attending to more than one thing Gerstmann's syndrome
temporal lobe
contain the primary auditory cortex; involved in verbal memory and language
parietal lobe
contain the primary sensory areas that process somatosensory information
cell body (soma)
contains the nucleus, integrates information from the dendrites, and regulates all cell activity
Parts of a Neuron
contains three parts: 1. dendrites - receive information by capturing neurotransmitters released in the synaptic cleft. 2. Axon - tube-like structure that transmits information. 3. Cell body or soma - Integrates information from the dendrites. Contains the nucleus and controls hereditary characteristics (e..g., DNA).
left hemisphere of brain
control over language and motor control; involved in verbal memory & rational/logical thinking
Autonomic Nervous System
controls automatic or involuntary bodily functions of the smooth muscles and glans, including digestion, heart rate, and breathing. - Primary bodily function of the ANS is to maintain homeostasis. - The ANS is divided into two systems: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous system (PNS).
cerebellum
controls balance, involved in motor learning, and controls posture
Broca's area
controls language expression - an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
Thyroid Gland
controls metabolism through secretion of the hormone thyroxine.
The autonomic nervous system
controls the automatic or involuntary bodily functions of the smooth muscles and glands including digestions, heart rate, and breathing. The primary function is to maintain homeostasis. It is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
autonomic nervous system
controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs
cerebellum
coordinates voluntary motor movements, responsible for balance and posture, plays a role in the acquisition of motor skills
Subcortical brain areas
corpus callosum, limbic system, and basal ganglia
subcortical brain areas
corpus callous, limbic system, and basal ganglia
PNS is composed of
cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and peripheral ganglia
Parkinsons and Domamine
degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra. as a result, there is a decrease of dopamine available in the basal ganglia. L-Dopa is a used to treat it
Huntington's disease is due to....
degeneration of the caudate nucleus and putamen
Deficiency of Norepinephrine leads to
depression
low serotonin and low norepinephrine cause
depression
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
derived from the changes in water density in the brain; since 80 percent of the brain is made up of water, MRI produces a high-resolution image of the brain; MRS, on the other hand, aims to produce an image of the remainder 20 percent of the brain, namely brain tissue; radio waves are used to image the variety of molecules that make up brain tissue including DNA, RNA, proteins, phospholipids, and organelles that make up the neurons.
amplitude
determines loudness
Diabeties
develops when the pancreas does not produce insulin (type 1, insulin dependent, onset before 30, kids are good about meds but tend to become non-complaint/erratic in adolescence ), when the body develops insulin resistance (type 2, can sometimes be controlled during diet/exercise, african americans/hispanics have highest risk of developing it), or during pregnancy (gestational, 1-3 % of pregnancies, may precede a type II development) Hallmark is hyperglycemia: excessive glucose or blood sugar levels. Symptoms are the 3 Ps: 1) polyuria(increased urination); 2) polydipsia (increased thirst); 3) polyphagia (increased appetite) Meds used to treat this can cuase blood sugar to drop too low, which can cause hypoglycemia. Symptoms include nervousness, irritability, trembling, cold sweats, fatigue, rapid heart rate, hunger, headache, and confusion
Parkinson's disease
disorder characterized by difficulty with intended movement
Huntington's disease
disorder characterized by the presence of extraneous unwanted movements
The left hemisphere
dominant in 97% of people. dominance refers to control over language (reading, writing, speaking, motor control, etc). 90% of population is right handed and almost all are left hand dominant, most left handers too. involved in verbal memory and rational, analytical, logical, and abstract thinking. Damage to the left hemisphere may result in aphasia, language impairments, apraxia, and difficulties for the right side of the body Left is for Language and Logic
Left Hemisphere f
dominant in about 97%of all people. Dominance refers to control over language, which includes reading, writing, speaking, spelling, naming, as well as motor control. - about 90% of the population are right handed, and almost all right handers are left hemisphere dominant. - of the 10% left handed population, most of the are also left hemisphere dominant (75-80%). - Left hemisphere is also involved in verbal memory,, as well as in thinking that is rational, analytical, and abstract. - Damage to left hemisphere may result in aphasia (speech disorder), other language problems (agraphia, anomia), apraxia (motor disorder), and/or difficulties with right side of the body. Left = Language and Logic.
non-REM Sleep Stage 4
dominated by delta waves, "the deep sleep" stage
Dependence/withdrawal/overdose with anti psychotics
dont cause addiction, dependence, or tolerance. withdrawal is only caused when a high dose is suddenly stopped symptoms can include headache, insomnia, nightmares. OD are usually not highly lethal unless a full 30-60 day supply is taken at one time. They are more lethal when combined with other drugs
Dependence/withdrawal/ overdose with ADs
dont cause depencende, tolerance, or addiction. apruplty stopping can cause non life threatening withdrawal symptoms. TCAs and MAOIs are highly lethal when patients attempt suicide with med OD>. lethality increases iwith alcohol. SSRIS and other ADs are not ver lethal
Tegretol/carbamazepine
effective for maina, especially rapid cycling; faster onset than lithium
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
electric currents are passed through the brain deliberately triggering a brief seizure that can immediately reverse symptoms of some mental illnesses. Considerd safe and effective. usually used for patients with severe depression and treatment resistant bipolar, acute psychosis, and catania. helps up to 85% of patients, often after 1st or second treatment. Concerns: memory loss. after it, ppl can be confused for up to 45 minutes. also retro and antero grade amnesia which can last a while. but sever and long lasting memory loss is rare. Bilateral ECT causes more impairment than unilateral.
what separates the lobes? frontal and parietal lobes? temporal from frontal and parietal?
elongated grooves (sulci); central sulcus; lateral sulcus
the cingulate cortex is most associated with ________
emotions and motivation
edogenous opiods
enkephalins and endorphins that help regulate stress
structural brain abnormalities found in largest proportion of patients with Schizophrenia
enlarged ventricles
Etiology: Downs Syndrome
extra #21 chromosome
presumed mechanism of benzos
facilitate GABA's ability to bind to its receptor site, enhancing the effects of GABA. GABA is the major inhibitory transmittor in the brain and increasing it reduces anxiet, increases sedation, muscle relaxion, and reduction in seizures when used for sleep problems, it should just be short term. there could be rebound insomnia and benzos distrupt the normal speel cycle and disrupt REM. so there can be REM rebound can be used to treat mania, akathisia, alcohol withdrwal, muscle relaxants, and as adjuncts to anathesia
ansosgnosia
failure to recognize one's own neurological defect
Huntington's disease
fatal condition that results from an autosomal-dominant gene. onset between 30 and 50 years. Early symptoms are typically non=specific and include things like irritability, apathy, or dishininbtion. Progressive deterioration of cognitive and physical abilities. Choreiform movements (frequent jerking movements), athetosis (slow writhing movements), and facial grimaces may develop up to 10 years after onset. Disease invovles the Basal Ganglia, specifically the caudate nucleus and putamen. REduction of Acetylcholine and GABA which in turn triggers excess dopamine. 50% chance of passing it onto child
functions of the hypothalamus
fever, feeding, fighting, falling asleep, and f**king
side effects and OD-lithium and anticonvulsants
fine hand tremors, gastric distress, weight gain, sedation, hair loss, acne, polyuria, and polydipsia. blood tests are required. most severe side effect is lithium toxicity-potentilal fatal. can occur bc of OD or even to people following their doctor's orders side effects of ACs-drowsiness, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and possibly increase in suicidal thoughts/behaviors
gyri
folds/ridges in the cerebral cortex
research on constructive memory has linked false recollection to lesions in the _____.
frontal lobe
the prefrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, and Broca's area are located in the _______
frontal lobe
4 lobes of the brain
frontal, pareital, temporal, occipital
Four lobes of the cerebral cortex
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
Side effects of SSRIs
headaches, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, and gastro distress. tend to fade over time. sexual dysfunction can occur, but can be helped by changing the dose. suicidal thining or attempt risk in kids/teens
Medulla
hindbrain structure that controls the flow of information between the spinal cord and brain anad regulates breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure
the ____ plays a role in processing visual, spatial, and verbal information and consolidating declarative memories
hippocampus
Side effects of MAOI's
hypotension, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, weight gain, blurred vision Most serious is a hypertensive crisis if taken with other drugs or food with the amino-acid tyramine
precocious puberty has been linked to premature awakening of the ______
hypothalamic-pituitary axis
location of the suprachiasmatic nucleus
hypothalamus
regulates homeostasis
hypothalamus
the _____ generates physiological responses associated with rage, fear, and other strong emotions
hypothalamus
the ______ controls the release of hormones from the pituitary and other endocrine glands
hypothalamus
the brain part that manages the circadian rhythm is located in the _____
hypothalamus
alarm stage (Selye)
hypothalamus responds to stress by activating the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline, which increases glucose levels and heart and respiration rates
resistance stage (Selye)
hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release ACTH, which activates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol
_______ generates physiological reactions associated with rage, fear, and other strong emotions
hypothalmus
All or none principle
if a neuron is sufficiently stimulated, it will fire to its fullest extent. If not sufficiently stimulated, it will not fire at all. After firing, there is an absolute refractory period, during which the neuron cant fire regardless of the strength of stimulation. NA and K return to their normal sides during the refractory period.
exhaustion stage (Selye)
if stress becomes chronic; pituitary gland and adrenal cortex lose the ability to maintain elevated hormone levels
Wernicke's area
in the left temporal lobe; involved in language comprehension
Agnosia
inability sensory stimulus, such as objects, people, sounds, shapes, or smell. Caused by damage to parietal, temporal or occipital lobe.
Apraxia
inability to carry out voluntary/purposeful motor movements even though there are no motor or sensory deficits. The person understands and is willing to do the movements, but they simply cant execute it. can effect speech, movement, etc. EX: can scratch your nose until someone asks you to do it. caused by lesions in neural pathways in the brain for learned patterns of behavior, pareital/temporal lobes
Broca's aphasia
inability to express language (due to motor difficulties)
tactile agnosia
inability to recognize familiar objects by touch
Amino Acids
include GABA, Glycine and glutamate.
Neurocognitive disorders
include delirium, major, mild, and subtypes. Preferred term for conditions affected younfer persons
How do SSRI's work?
increase the availability of serotonin at the synapse by inhibiting reuptake
arousal of the sympathetic nervous system leads to:
increased respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure decreases digestion and elimination
GABA and glycine
inhibitory neurotransmitters on the CNS that have a calming effect
side effects of SSRI's
insomnia, nausea, headache, dizziness, sexual dysfunction
parietal lobe
integrate sensations of touch to create a 3-d experience of the objects around us
Cell body (SOMA)
integrates info from the dendrites. contains the nucleus which regulates all cell activity and controls hereditary characteristics.
Thalamus
integrates information from all of the senses except olfaction and relays it to the cerebral cortex
Partial Seizures
involve an electrical disturbance that is limited to a specific area of one cerebral hemisphere. Classified as either simple (consciousness/awareness retained) or complex (consciousness is impaired or lost). Simple: in a focal area of the brain only, which include any of the lobes. Symptoms may be motor, autonomic, sensory, or psychological. Remain conscious and can describe the seizure. Jacksonian seizure-simple frontal love seizure that starts as a localized motor seizure like in the finger, then spread. Complex: Always involves impairment of awareness/consciousness. Autoplasims often occur such as lip smacking, nonsense phrases, fidgeting, etc. often preceeded by an aura such as deja vu, nausea, heat, tingling, or distortion of sensory perceptions. These are usually a manifestion of tempral lobe epilepsy
left parietal lobe
involve in over learned motor routines and linguistic skills (reading, writing, naming objects)
dopamine
involved in mood, motivation, and voluntary movement
serotonin
involved in mood, sleep, appetite, aggression, sex, and pain perception
pons and medulla
involved in sleep, respiration, and cardiovascular activity
basal ganglia
involved in the control of voluntary movement
right temporal lobe
involved in visual memory
Cerebrum
involved with complex thought, perception, and action
The cerebrum
involved with complex thought, perception, and action. the outer layer is the cerebral cortex and the inside includes the subcortical areas.
Gerstmann's syndrome
involves lesions of the left parietal lobes and results in agraphia, acalculia, right0left disorientation, and finger agnosia
Benzodiazepine withdrawal
is similar to alcohol withdrawal syndrome and barbiturate withdrawal syndrome and can in severe cases provoke life threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures; protracted withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, insomnia and sensory disturbances.
How do benzodiazepines work
it enhances GABA which inhibits the CNS
amygdala
key structure in the mediation of conditioned fear
ataxia
lack of coordination of voluntary movements in the absence of weakness or sensory loss
The left hemisphere is dominant for ________ for most people, regardless of handedness
language
cerebral cortex
least developed part of the brain at birth
the cerebral cortex
least developed part of the brain at birth. more developed in humans than other animals. full of folds (gyri) which allow for expansion of the cortical surface without increasing brain size. divided into two halves-left and right which are connected by the corpus collosum
areas in the _____ hemisphere mediate happiness and other positive emotions and damage can cause anxiety or depression
left
Location of Broca's Area
left frontal lobe
Gerstmann's syndrome
lesion on left pareital lobe. reults in: agraphia, acaclulia, left-right disorientation, and finger agnosia (difficulty with recognition, cant recognize fingers as part of their own body).
Side effects of Tegretol/carbamazepine
lethargy, tremor, ataxia, visual disturbances
The brain stem
lies below the subcortical regions and in front of the cerebellum. most primitive part of the brain and is an extension of the spinal cord. 10/12 cranial nerves begin here. major areas are: pons, medulla, and reticular formation
Retrograde amnesia
loss of pre-existing memories. recent memories are much more affected in comparison w/remote memories. Usually episodic memory (autobiographical info) is more severely affected than semantic memory (memory for facts). Childhood and adolescent memories typically are in-tact
Anterograde Amnesia
loss of the ability to form new memories. Person will forget new info, people, and events w/in a few seconds bc the info does not transfer from short to long term memory
presbyopia
loss of visual acuity
Smell runs directly to the
limbic system
Treatment of choice for bipolar
lithium
temporal lobes
located on sidesL around the tempeles above the ears (hearing). contain primary auditory cortex. connected to the limbic system so they also play a role in emotional behavior and memory. left: verbal memory and language comprehension (wernicke's area) right: visual memory damage may result in increased aggression ("temper"al lobe), changes in interest in sexual behavior, interference with memory, and wernicke's apahasia
Herschel's convolutions
location of tonotopic processing of auditory stimuli
Agnosia
loss of ability to recognize a specific sensory stimulus not due to memory loss. Caused by damage to the parietal, temporal, or occipital lobes Prosopagnosia, anosognosia
side effects of stimulants
loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, gastro issues, irritiability, anxiety, dysphoria, increase haer rate and bp, and may temorarily suppress growth in kids (taking drug holidays can help).
Parkinson's disease is due to...
loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantial nigra
Aphasia Broca's Wernicke's
loss of language due to brain lesions Brocas: lesion in dominant left frontal lobe. Severe problems with speech production. Comprehension is mostly in tact but come problems may occur like grammatical constructions. expressive/motor aphasia Wernicke's: lesion in left temporal lobe. no language comprehension (cant follow directions or repeat phrases). they can speak fluently but its nonsense. unaware of their problem (anosgnosia)/ receptive/sensory aphasia
serotonin
low levels of _____ have been linked to suicide and violent suicide attempts.
primary function of the ANS is to ______ _______
maintain homeostasis
The "catecholamine hypothesis" predicts that drugs which _______________ will alleviate depression.
maintain or increase norepinephrine levels
Glutamate
major excitatory neurotransmitter
GABA and glycine
major inhibitory NTs in the CNS and they have a calming effect. anxiety and seizures are associated with insufficient levels of GABA. Benzos are GABA agonists, which increase GABA and decrease arousal
thalamus
major sensory relay center for all senses except smell
thalamus
major sensory relay center. receives input from all of our senses except olfaction. It integrates and processes information before projecting it to appropriate cortical areas. critical in the perception of pain. abnormalities have been linked to schizophrenia (misperception of sensory input)
parts of the limbic system
mammillary bodies, septal nuclei, hippocampus
Too much norepinephrine causes
mania
low serotonin and high norepinephrine cause
mania
Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer's Disease has been linked to the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in what area of the brain?
medial temporal
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
mediates the sleep-wake cycle and other circadian rhythyms
Symptoms of a temporal lobe lesion
memory impairment, depression or anxiety, hallucinations
hippocampus
memory, specifically consolidation of conscious memories. It stores new info and events as lasting memories
red nucleus
midbrain structure; involved in motor coordination
Sysnesthesia
mixed sensations. Occurs when a stimulus in one sensory modality (eg vision) involuntarily elicits a different perception in the same modality (olfaction); or a perception of a form (letter or number( induces a different perception in the same modality (color). Runs in familias and in ppl who are neurologically normal
septum
moderates or decreases aggression
Septum
moderates or decreases aggression. damage can result in septal rage syndrome. Septum allows you to Simmer down
Alzheimer's disease
most common NCD. more prevalent in women (women live longer). Early symptoms include memory problems, apathy, and depression kater symptoms include disorientation, confucseion, gait, behavior. final stages: patients lose their ability to communicate, dont recognize loved ones, and are bed ridden. Used to only be detectable by autopsy, but there are more options now (amyvid). evidence for a genetic component (ppl with relatives with it are more likley to get it). progressive disease. no treatment to stop or heal it.
Glutamate
most common NT and is a major mediator of fast excitatory synaptic transmission. Abnormal glutamate transmission is suspected in schizophrenia, OCD, Autism, and depression
akathisia
motor restlessness such as fidgeting, rocking, or pacing due to the neuromuscular or neurologic adverse effects associated with the use of antipsychotics
paresis
muscle weakness due to incomplete severing of the spinal cord
when someone is relaxed they are using their _________ nervous system; energy conserving system
parasympathetic
dependence/tolerance/withdrawal of lithium and Anticonvulsants
neither causes toleracne, addiction, dependence, or withdrawal. Lithium shouldnt be used in people w/heart disease, thyroid disease, renal damage, and pregnancy. requires close medical supervision.
4. Optic nerves carry ...
nerve impulses from the retina to the brain
dopamine
neurotransmitter involved in thought, movement, and emotion; also linked to the reward system in the brain
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movement, memory, and cognition
According to the catecholamine hypothesis, depression is due to a deficiency in _______.
norepinephrine
Pet and SPECT scans
nucleur imaging techniques used to demonstrate activity of the brain and other organs.
the ____ is active during states of relaxation and energy conservation
parasympathetic branch
the somatosensory cortex is located in the ____ lobe
parietal
Which system, parasympathetic or sympathetic, is healthier to have dominant?
parasympathetic
location of the visual cortex
occipital lobe
Frontal lobe
occupy largest portion of the brain 3 main divisions: prefrontal cortex, premotor area, motor area. damage is most often caused by brain injury, stroke, or disease and may result in paralysis, changes in personality, emotional lability, perseveration, inattention, difficluty with problem solving, and brocas aphasia (expressive lang)
One-sided neglect
often results from a stroke in the right hemisphere. ppl with this often fail to be aware of objects on their left (contralateral to the brain damage). They may eat from only one side of the plate, write on on side of the page, etc...
Pupil
opening with the colored part (iris). It opens to regulate the amount of entering light.
damage to the _______ is most likely to result in altered emotional behaviors
orbitofrontal cortex
cerebral cortex
outside most layer of the brain
Hyperpituitarism
over secretion of pituitary growth hormone. Gigantism or acromegaly (enlargement of hand, feet, jaw, forehead, etc).
Cushing's disease
oversecretion of corticosteroids. Symptoms: depression, irritability, emotional lability, memory and concentration problems, and even suicide. Also, adiposity (swelling and fattening of the face, neck, and trunk)
Paraplegia
paralysis in the legs only. Severing the spinal cord at C6 or C7 results in both paraplegia and partial paralysis of the arms. - Severing the spinal cord at T1 or below results in paraplegia only.
Severing the spinal cord on C6 or C7 results in:
parapalegia & semi paralysis in arms
Right hemisphere
perceptual, visuospatial, artistic, musical, and intuitive activities. also maintenance of body image and comprehension of visual, facial, and verbal emotion. Damage may result in left side hemi-neglect, prosopagnosia, visual spatial disturbances, and agnosia for musical sounds. also, indifference, euphoria, hysteria, depression, mania, disinhibition, impolisitivty, and abnormal sexual behavior
the ________ includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
peripheral nervous system
suffix of second generation antipsychotics (atypical, Novel) most commonly prescribed
pine, done, zole Clorazil (clozapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Invega (paliperidone), Seroquel (quetipaine), Geodon (ziprasidone), and abilify (arizapole)
right parietal lobe
plays a role in directing attention
pons and medulla
pons (top) and medulla (bottom) are involved in sleep (including initiation of REM), respiration, movement, and cardiovascular activity. damage can lead to a failure of bodily functions and death. Cranial nerve XII, hypoglossal nerver, origninates in the medilla and damage can cause similar problems to broca's apahasia
major areas of the brain stem
pons, medulla, reticular formation
the somatosensory cortex is located on the _________
post central gyrus
agranulocytosis
potentially lethal side effect of clorazin (clozapine). usually only given to ppl who have failed on other meds. It is a sudden drop in white blood cell count that results in a very high risk of serious infection due to immune suppression
Dependence, withdrawal, tolerance, and OD with Benzos
ppl can develop both physical and psychological dependence. most addictive ones have a rapid onset but short half life like xanax. tolerance can be developed. BZs and alcohol have cross tolerance. withdrwal can be serousl and fatal...they should never be abruptly stopped, but graudally tapered off. can lead to seuzires. when taken with alcohol or CNS depresseants, they can be fatal. Should be used with caution in older adults-increased risk of falls/fractire, car accidents, and cog imapirment.
the ______ plays a role in emotion, memory, self-awareness, and higher-order cognitive functions
prefrontal cortex
three areas of the frontal lobe
prefrontal cortex, motor area, premotor area
prefrontal cortex, premotor area, and motor area (frontal lobe)
prefrontal: critical to personality, emotionality, inhibition, planning and initiative, judgement, higher mental functions, and abstract thinking. premotor: planning movement motor: voluntary muscle movement left frontal lobe: broca's area (controls muscles that produce speech)
corpus callosum
primary function is to convey sensory information from one hemisphere to the other
the _______ is part of the pyramidal motor system and different areas control muscle in different parts of the body
primary motor cortex
limbic system
primitive brain that plays a key role in survival. it is largely involved in emotions (anger, fear, pleasure) and basic drives (sex, hunger), learning, olfaction, and memory. also influences autonomic and endocrine system. includes thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and septum
Huntington's disease and Parkinson's
results from degeneration of the caudate nuculeus and putmen and produces continuious thrusting movements of the face and limbs parkinsons results from a slow and steady loss of domaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and results in tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowed movements).
Cushing's Disease
results from over secretion of corticosteroids. Symptoms include: agitated depression, irritability and emotional lability, difficulty with memory and concentration, and even suicide. - Physically, the patient experiences adiposity (swelling and fattening) of the phase, neck, and trunk.
Global Aphasia
results in widespread damage to much of the language regions of the cortex. Most language functions are impaired , including fluency, comprehension, repetition, and naming.
in TBI, when _____ occurs, memories from the more distant past return first.
retrograde amnesia
areas in the ______ hemisphere mediate sadness, anger, and other negative emotions, damage can cause apathy or undue cheerfulness
right
Anxiety, trauma, OCD, chromic pain, bulimia, premature ejaculation (anti deps)
safe alternative to anti anxeity meds and dont lead to abuse. -panic disorder: in addition to meds like xanax and ativan -OCD: often reposnds to the TCA Anafanil (clomiprine) and appears to respond to all SSRIs -PTSD, anxiety disorders- commonly prescribed -Chronic pain disorders-repond well to the TCAS -Bulimia- Prozac and other SSRIs and MAOIs -premature ejaculation- trycycilcs and ssris
Disorders treated with antipsychotics
schizophrenia, delusioanl disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, delirium, tourettes, and ASD. Sometimes used with PTSD and major depressive disorder. used for NCDs, but death rates of older ppl with NCDs increase with it
The cerebellum
second largest structure in the brain. located at the base of the brain behind the stem. provides excitatory inputs that are responsible for maintaining smooth movement and coordinating motor activity. also controls autonomic adjustments of posture and muscle one that result in balance and equilibrium. hallmark of cerebellar disease is ataxia (lack of coordination of voluntary movements in the absence of weakness or sensory loss). symptoms may appear as problems with gait, posture, incorrect timing in the activation of muslces, disequilibrium, vertigo, in ability to reach out and grab objects, difficulty making rapid movements, or problems coordingating fine movements
Major vascular neruro cog disease
second most common NCD. results from small cerebrovascular strokes. equally common in makes and females. the location of the injsury determines how the person's functioning is affected. early symptoms include impaired judgement or inability to make plans. abrupt onset, step-wise progression. half diagnosed with it dies withing 2-3 years. earlieier age of onset than AZ.
choroid plexus
secretes cerebrospinal fluid
Subdivisions of PNS
somatic and autonomic
role of Acetylcholine
somatic nervous system: skeletal muscles autonomic nervous system: internal organs and glands brain: learning and memory
loss of sensation due to brain injury is likely to involve the ______
somatosensory cortex
Mood stabilizers (lithium and anticonvulsants)
specific mechanism is largely unknown. used to treat bipolar disorder, depression (when ADs alone dont work), combined w/ AS to streat schizophrenia, impulse control disorders, cuclothimuc disorder, borderline personality disorder, pain relief for neurological pain disorders like tigeminal neuralgia. takes 1-3 weeks to help mania and 6-8 for depression. may be combined with other drugs to treat manic and depressive symptoms. After several months the drug has a preventative effect (prohphylactic), cutting mood episodes in half and decreasing severity. anticonvulsants are used when lithium doesnt work or cant be used
The central nervous system
spinal cord and brain with sensory (afferent) neurons carrying info to the CNS and motor (efferent) neurons carrying info away from the CNS to muscles and glands
seizures
sudden disruption of the brain's normal electrical activity. They are short lived and stop on their own. They always invovle altered consciousness and/or other neuro or behavioral manifestations. Classified as either generalized or partial.
Brain structure implicated in the etiology of seasonal affective disorder
suprachiasmatic nucleus
24-hour biological activity is managed by the _____
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
two divisions of the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic and parasympathetic
the ______ is active during states of activity and mediates the body's fight-or-flight reactions
sympathetic branch
_________ and _______ make up the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic branch, parasympathetic branch
biofeedback helps people decrease their _______ nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
_____ is a potentially irreversible extrapyramidal side effect assoicated with long-term use of antipsychotic drugs
tardive dyskinesia
location of the auditory cortex and Wernicke's area
temporal lobe
CT Scan
test of structure. combines X-ray views take from many different angles of the brain, bones, or soft tissue. esp useful for examining ppl with bleeding, blood clots, or internal injuries from trauma
absence seizures are thought to originate in the _____
thalamus
critical in the perception of pain
thalamus
the _____ is involved in processing information and transferring it to the neocortex
thalamus
the ______ plays a role in declarative memory, and damage can produce severe memory impairment
thalamus
Key limbic system structures
thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and septum
fMRI provides much less temporal resolution...
than EEG.
fMRI and MRI produce images of higher resolution...
than PET.
auditory localization
the ability to orient towards direction of sound. It is present at birth and declines 1 to 4 months. It re-emerges and is fully developed at 1 year.
action potential
the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the neuron
Genotype
the contribution of heredity to an observed characteristic can be expressed in terms of a heritability estimate, which indicates the extent to which phenotypes vary within groups as a result of differences in ________.
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations ("fight or flight")
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that sends and receives sensory messages that control voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles
Gate-Control Theory of Pain
there are mechanisms in the spinal cord that mediate the perception of pain
blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD)
the hemodynamic signal detected by MRI
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the automatic glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart).
non-REM Sleep Stage 3
theta waves begin to be replaced by delta waves
benzodiazepines do what to what neurotransmitter?
they are agonists (enhance) to glutamate
antipsychotics do what to which neurotransmitter?
they are antagonists to dopamine
all-or-none principle of action potentials
they either occur or do not occur, when they do occur they are always the same in terms of magnitude
Korsakoff's syndrome is due to a ____ deficiency
thiamine deficiency
damage at the _____ level of the spinal cord causes paraplegia
thoracic
Dopamine
thought, movement, and emotion. It is also linked to the reward system of the brain. Schizophrenia (excess dopamine or hyperactivity of the dopaminergic system). traditional antipsychotics were mainly dopamine antagonists. second generations are combined serotonin/dope antagonists and block D at a lower rate. deficit in DA transmission in prefrontal cortex could lead to cog impairments and negative symptoms of Schizo.
hypothalamus
through its connections to the endocrine system (glands) and autonomic nervous system, it serves a role in homeostasis including regulating temperature, hunger, thirst, sex, cyclic sex hormone secretion (menstrual cycle), aggression, and sleep/wake cycle. the suprachimaisc nucleus is located here and is considered the body's circadian clock. directly influences the pituitary gland by secreting hypothalamic releasing and hupothalamic inhibiting hormones (thyrotropin-releasing and corticotropin-releasing hormones. In response to those hormones, the pituitary secretes its own hormones (eg growth hormone, thyroid stimulating, adreno...) that activates the other endocrine glands (eg thyroid and pancreas) 5 fs: fever, feeding, fighting, falling asleep, and f_ing Hypothalamus:homeostasis
axon
tube like structure that transmits info
axon
tube-like structure that transmits information
Computerized Tomography (CT) & Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT Scan) are used to identify...
tumors, blood clots, tissue damage, & structural abnormalities e.g., cerebral vascular accident, multiple sclerosis
Hypopituitarism
under secretion of pituitary growth hormones, can cause dwarfism and pubertal delay in children.
Addison's disease
undersecretion of corticosteroids or adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms include apathy, weakness, irritability, depression, and gastro disturbance.
Tricyclics are best for treating
vegetative symptoms i.e., appetite and sleep issues, psychomotor retardation TCAs are used to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, & neuropathic pain. may be helpful for agoraphobia
Basal ganglia
vital role in regulation and coordination of movement. in order to move smoothly, the motor cortexes must receive info from the BG. without it, the cortex is unable to properly direct motor control. includes the caudate nuculeus, putamen, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus it is inhibitory and geerally put the brakes on movement, allow us to be still and maintain posture. in order to move voluntarily, the breaks must be released. dysfucntion results in two major problems: presence of extraneous movements (huntingtons) or difficluty with intended movement (parkinsons). two other disorders related include tourette's and OCD
Bipolar, depressed (anti deps)
when used, mood stabilzer is usually prescribed also to minmize risk of a manic episode. prozac, paxil, zoloft, and wllbutrin often used
Blind spot
where the optic nerve leaves the retina
Stimulants
work by both increasing the release of dopamine and NE (the catecholamines)and by blocking their reuptake. so, an overall increase in levels of dopamine and NE used for ADHD (begin to work within 2 days) and sometiems for treatment resistant depression, obesity, narcolepsy, and medically debilitating conditons (AIDS, cancer)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
work to increase both serotonergic and noradrenergic activity. SNRI's include Effexor-venlafaxine & Cymbalta-duloxetine. SNRI's are used to treat anxiety disorders and neuropathic pain.
antagonist
works by binding to the receptor site and blocking the neurotransmitter's access to the site and reducing its ability to affect the cell's activity