Ways to Study the Brain Case Studies / Clinical Observation Accidents (i.e. – Phinneas Gage) Diseases / Disorders

Invasive Exploration Lesion - a natural or man-made destruction of brain tissue Electrical Probing Psychosurgery

Less Invasive Methods homework me : give questions Electroencephalogram (EEG) Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan / CT Scan) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Functional MRI (fMRI)

The Brain Pinky & the Brain made up of… neurons glial cells (or glia - support neural cells by insulating them, removing waste, etc.) connective tissues cerebrospinal fluid can be divided into three major sections: hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

Brain Structures brain mneumonics Be familiar with functions/roles. Location / ability to label might be helpful, but not required.

Brainstem Pons - involved in sleep, arousal, facial recognition Medulla Oblongata located just above the spinal cord involved in the control of heart rate, blood pressure, respiration. Reticular Formation - arousal and ability to focus attention

Cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle movements balance/coordination injury = difficulty walking, keeping balance, shaking hands, etc.

Thalamus switchboard example Receives sensory information and sends them to appropriate areas of forebrain. Like a switchboard. Everything but smell.

Limbic System #24 EMOTIONAL CONTROL CENTER of the brain. Made up of Hypothalamus, Amygdala and Hippocampus.

Hypothalamus Pea sized in brain, but plays a not so pea sized role. Body temperature Hunger Thirst Sexual Arousal (libido) Endocrine System

Hippocampus and Amygdala Hippocampus is involved in forming new memories. Amygdala is vital for our basic emotions.

Cerebral Cortex Top layer of our brain. Contains wrinkles called fissures. The fissures increase surface area of our brain. Laid out it would be about the size of a large pizza.

Hemispheres Divided into a left and right hemisphere. Contralateral controlled- left controls right side of body and vice versa. Brain Lateralization.

Split-Brain Patients Corpus Collosum attaches the two hemispheres of cerebral cortex. right & left sides working together? When removed (usually b/c of severe seizures) you have a split-brain patient. #5

Areas of the Cerebral Cortex Divided into eight lobes, four in each hemisphere (frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal). Any area not dealing with our senses or muscle movements are called association areas.

Frontal Lobe Deals with planning, maintaining emotional control and abstract thought. Contains Broca’s Area. Broca’s Aphasia. Contains Motor Cortex.

Parietal Lobes Located at the top of our head. Contains the somato-sensory cortex. Rest are association areas (intelligence!).

Occipital Lobes In the back of our head. Handles visual input from eyes. Right half of each retina goes to left occipital lobe and vice versa.

Temporal Lobes Process sound sensed by ears. Not lateralized. Contains Wernicke’s area. Wernicke’s Aphasia.

Brain Plasticity # 7 ability of our brains to form new connections (repair itself) after being damaged the younger you are, the more “plastic” your brain is

The Endocrine System a system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream similar to nervous system, except hormones work a lot slower than neurotransmitters Hormones Neurotransmitters 26

Endocrine System System of glands that secrete hormones. Controlled by the hypothalamus. Ovaries and Testes. Adrenal Gland Epinephrine-energy boast (adrenaline)

So what’s the REAL significance of this chapter?? hold your stomach!