Anatomy
Which are the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex?
Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal
What is neurogenesis?
Process of forming new neurons
What are the roles of the frontal lobes in behavior?
Personality, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social behaviors
What are some common symptoms of stroke?
Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision problems, dizziness/balance issues, and severe headache
What is the difference between tolerance and dependence?
Tolerance means needing more of a substance to have the same effect and dependence means your body adapts and needs the substance to function normally
What is the main function of the cerebellum?
Motor movement regulation (coordination, balance, and posture)
What is the neural tube?
Embryonic structure that develops into the entire central nervous system
What is executive function?
Set of mental skills that enable goal-directed behaviors
What are the hallmark features of Parkinson’s disease?
Tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability
What is the difference between an agonist and an antagonist?
Agonists activate receptors to produce a response and antagonists block receptors to stop a response
What role does the hippocampus play in memory?
Forming new long-term memories and storing short-term memories
When does the nervous system begin to form during embryonic development?
Third week of gestation
What cognitive deficits are associated with temporal lobe damage?
Deficits in episodic memory and issues with language
What is the pathophysiology of epilepsy?
Imbalance between neural excitation driven by glutamate and neural inhibition driven by GABA
How do drugs affect excitation–inhibition balance?
By directly altering glutamate (excitatory) and GABA (inhibitory) signaling
What is the main difference between Broca's area and Wernicke's area regarding language functions?
Broca's area handles speech production and Wernicke's area manages language comprehension
What happens if the neural tube fails to close properly?
Results in neural tube defects that lead to conditions like spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele, and iniencephaly
How do patterns of impairment help localize brain lesions?
By linking specific, observable neurological or cognitive deficits to the known functions of different brain regions or networks
How does increased intracranial pressure affect brain function?
Compresses brain tissue, reduces blood flow, and can damage vital brain structures
What are the CNS side effects of common psychiatric medications?
Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, mood changes, sleep issues, cognitive impairment, movement disorders, and autonomic effects
Which are the 12 pairs of cranial nerves?
Olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal
What is the anatomical basis of critical periods during brain development?
Rooted in specific molecular and synaptic changes that regulate a window of heightened neural plasticity
What is working memory, and where is it primarily localized?
Brain's temporary workspace for holding and manipulating information that is mainly found in the prefrontal cortex
How does spinal cord compression present clinically?
Neck/back pain, sensory changes, motor deficits, and autonomic dysfunction
What is the difference between typical and atypical antipsychotics?
Typical antipsychotics mainly block dopamine receptors and atypical antipsychotics dopamine and serotonin receptors