MODULE 11: STUDYING
THE BRIAN AND OLDER
BRAIN STRUCTURES
Unit 3
11.1 How do neuroscientists study the
brain connections to behavior and the
mind?
• Most info known about the brain has been
learned thru case studies
• Also lesioning: destroying tiny clusters of brain
cells
• EEG: Use electrodes to measure electrical
waves
• CT: x-ray of the brain or other soft tissues
Cont.
• PET Scan: shows actual activity in the brain by
the brain’s use of radio-active glucose
(brain=sugar hog!)
• MRI: provides the best picture
• fMRI: will show the brain’s functioning as well—
blood flow
**should be skeptical of these three. What is
normal/abnormal functioning?
11.2 What structures make up the brainstem,
and what are the functions of brainstem,
thalamus, and cerebellum?
Older Brain Structures
• Brainstem
• Oldest (innermost) region
• Controls automatic survival functions
• Medulla: controls heart beat and breathing
• Pons: coordinates movement (with cerebellum)
*brainstem is the crossover point where neurons
switch from left side to right side of brain
Older Brain Cont.
• Thalamus: sits on top of brainstem
• Receives info from all senses EXCEPT smell
• Routes this info to higher brain centers
• Also relays messages from “higher” brain to medulla and
cerebellum
• Reticular Formation: filters sensory stimuli and
relays to other brain areas
• Helps control AROUSAL
Older Brain Cont.
• Cerebellum: nonverbal learning and memory
• Time judgment and modulates emotions
• Coordinates voluntary movement (with pons)
*All of these formations (older brain) work outside our awareness
Limbic System
• Lies/operates between old and new brain—
emotion and drives
3 Structures
1. Amygdala: 2 clusters that deal primarily in
aggression and fear (also in learning)
2. Hypothalamus: controls bodily maintenance—
pituitary and hormones
• Hunger
• Thirst
• Body temp
• Sexual drives
• Pleasure centers (animals) reward centers (humans)
• Nucleus accumbens: in front of hypothalamus; dopamine
related reward center
3. Hippocampus: process conscious memories
*load new memories into long term memory