Neurobiology

Terms	Definitions
area of brain for motor functions	precentral gyrus
area of brain for sensory functions	postcentral gyrus
area of brain for visual functions	occipital cortex
auditory area of brain	temporal cortex
expressive speech area of brain	Broca's Area (inferior frontal cortex)
receptive language area of brain	Wernicke's Area (temporal cortex)
aphasia	disruption of language function
apraxia	disturbance in the organization of voluntary action
agnosia	disorganization of perception and recognition
amnesia	disfunction of memory processes
area of the brain responsible for: expressive language intelligence (cognitive functioning) executive function motor function (voluntary movement, coordination of movement) personality	functions of the frontal lobe
area of the brain responsible for: higher cognitive functioning working memory personality	functions of the prefrontal lobe
personality changes seen in frontal lobe syndrome	impulsiveness lack of initiative & spontaneity
emotional changes in frontal lobe syndrome	diminished anxiety & concern for future mild euphoria (sometimes seen as extraversion)
intellectual changes in frontal lobe syndrome / trauma	working memory deficits impairment in recent memory concrete thinking inability to plan, follow course of action, or consider future consequences of actions
area of the brain responsible for: receptive speech & language comprehension primary auditory area memory emotion (limbic system) integration of vision with other sensory information	functions of the temporal lobe
area of the brain responsible for: primary sensory cortex taste reading / writing symbolic recognition topographic sense	functions of the parietal lobe
area of the brain responsible for: vision integration of vision with other sensory information	functions of the occipital lobe
What area of the brain is involved in the recognition of the meaning of a stop sign?	Parietal lobe (symbolic recognition)
The corpus striatum is also known as...	the basal ganglia
Bradykinesia, hyperkinesia, or dystonia suggest disease or damage to the...	damage to the basal ganglia (corpus striatum)
area of the brain responsible for: initiation of movement, especially fine movement contains the extrapyramidal motor system learned automatic actions (e.g. walking, driving) coordination of movement reflexes, muscle tone, posture	functions of the basal ganglia (corpus striatum)
The nigrostriatal pathway is part of the ___ system	extrapyramidal
visual hallucinations originate in the ____ lobe	temporal or occipital
auditory hallucinations originate in the ___ lobe	temporal
aphasia typically originates in the ___ lobe	frontal (Broca's area) or temporal (Wernicke's area)
amnesia is typically a ___ lobe problem	temporal
blindness or visual field defects are a problem of the ___ lobe	occipital
parts of the limbic system	thalamus hypothalamus hippocampus amydgala cingulate gyrus prefrontal cortex
thalamus functions	relays & modulates the flow of sensory information (except smell) to the cortex regulation of emotions & memory
hypothalamus functions	brain's "alarm system;" homeostasis: regulation of appetite, hunger, thirst, water balance, circadian rhythm, body temperature, libido, & hormones
hippocampus functions	regulates memory converts short-term to long-term memory
amygdala functions	mediates mood, fear, emotion, aggression connects smell information with emotions
role of HPA axis in stress response	hypothalamus releases CRH CRH stimulates pituitary to release ACTH ACTH stimulates adrenal glands to release cortisol
part of the limbic system involved in PTSD	thalamus (relay station to the cortex for sensory functions other than olfactory)
functions of the cerebellum	maintains equilibrium gross movement control sequencing of muscle contractions
Rhomberg test	used to detect cerebellar deficiencies (patient stands for 1 minute with feet together, arms at sides, eyes closed; swaying / loss of balance indicates problem)
dopamine pathways	mesolimbic mesocortical nigrostriatal tuberinfundibular
3 parts of the brain "fear circuit"	sensory thalamus cortex amygdala
2 systems activated by the amygdala in response to threat	HPA axis sympathetic (ANS) nervous system activation ("fight or flight")
neurotransmitters that suppress the "fear circuit"	serotonin GABA