The Brain Studying & Structures Unit 3 Modified PowerPoint from: Aneeq Ahmad -- Henderson State University. Worth Publishers 2007
Learning Objectives Describe the nervous system and its subdivisions and functions: central and peripheral nervous systems; major brain regions, lobes, and cortical areas; brain lateralization and hemispheric specialization. Recount historic and contemporary research strategies and technologies that support research (e.g., case studies, split-brain research, imaging techniques).
Techniques to Study the Brain Brain lesion experimentally destroys brain tissue to study animal behaviors after such destruction. Usually lesions are done for scientific or medicinal purposes. Hubel (1990)
Clinical Observation Clinical observations have shed light on a number of brain disorders. Alterations in brain morphology due to neurological and psychiatric diseases are now being catalogued. Tom Landers/ Boston Globe
Electroencephalogram (EEG) An amplified recording of the electrical waves sweeping across the brain s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
MRI Scan MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computergenerated images that distinguish among different types of brain tissue. Both photos from Daniel Weinberger, M.D., CBDB, NIMH Images on the upper right show ventricular enlargement in a schizophrenic patient.
PET Scan PET (positron emission tomography) Scan a visual display of brain activity that detects a radioactive form of glucose while the brain performs a given task. Courtesy of National Brookhaven National Laboratories
fmri Scan When the subject is in the scanner functional magnetic resonance imaging (fmri), the researchers will be able to communicate with him using an intercom system and a visual projection system. The image of the brain depicts, with colors of the rainbow, the amount of blood flow in each part of the brain, which indicates the amount of neural activity in each part.
STRUCTURES OF THE BRAIN Diagram 1 Reticular Formation
STRUCTURES OF THE BRAIN Diagram 2
Older Brain Structures Brainstem the oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull. Responsible for automatic survival functions.
Brain Stem Medulla: base of the brainstem, controls vital functions like heartbeat and breathing. Reticular Formation: a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal & involved in attention and sleep (filtering out stimuli)
Brain Stem Thalamus: the brain s sensory switchboard --directs messages to the sensory areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla. Pons: bridge between the brain and spinal cord (especially dealing with motor messages) and/or sleeping (sleep cycle)
Cerebellum The little brain attached to the rear of the brainstem. It helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance.
Limbic System a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebrum, associated with emotions such as fear, aggression and drives for food and sex. It includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. The Limbic System
Limbic System Amygdala: two almondshaped neural clusters linked to emotion of fear and anger. Hippocampus: two finger-like structures attached to amygdala involved in processing (new) memories
Limbic System Hypothalamus: lies below (hypo) the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and sex. Helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. Ventromedial vomit tells you when to STOP eating Lateral let s eat tell you when you are hungry
The Cerebral Cortex The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. The body s ultimate control and information processing center (higher order thoughts). Corpus callosum: band of nerves that connect the two cortical hemispheres & carries messages between them