UNIT XI (57, 58, & 59)
Nervous System 3: Motor and Integrative Neurophysiology
1.
What is the part of the brain that is important for interpretation of visual information?

Angular gyrus (inf. post. parietal lobe) is important especially for interpreting the written word i.
Lesions here will cause dyslexia
2.
What connects Wernicke’s and Broca’s Areas?

Arcuate fasciculus [arc welded together]
3.
What connects the amygdalas to each other?

The anterior commisure (independent of normal crossing mechanisms for everybody else)
4.
Presynaptic facilitation relies on:

5HT is important for facilitation. Released from facilitator axo-axonal terminals, it inhibits K+ channels, which causes prolonged depolarization. Over time, it will lead to structural changes and far-term memory
Hypothalamic areas (chapter 58)
5.
Lateral hypothalamic area

Increases arterial pressure and heart rate

Causes hunger

Increases activity to the point of rage if stimulation is severe
6.
Preoptic area

Regulates body temperature (up and down) [thermostat before your eyes]

Decreases arterial pressure and heart rate
7.
Posterior hypothalamic area

Increases arterial pressure and heart rate along with the lateral area
8.
Supraoptic nuclei

Control of vasopressin/ADH
9.
Paraventricular nuclei

Secretion of oxytocin
10.
Ventromedial nuclei

Causes satiety
BP/HR
+ Lateral
Body Temp ADH
+/- Preoptic Supraoptic
Oxytocin Feeding
Paraventricular + Lateral
Sex Drive
+ Ant.
+ Posterior
- Preoptic
- Ventromedial + Post.
11.
What area controls the level of activity in the brain, and what neurotransmitter does it use?

The bulboreticular facilitory region controls the general level of activity in the brain

Its gigantocellular neurons secrete acetylcholine
12.
What connects the limbic system and brainstem?

Medial forebrain bundle [faggot of limbs and stems in the middle of the brain]

13.
What are the two strongest areas for punishment and escape tendencies?

The Periaqueductal Gray

Periventricular hypothalamus and thalamus (diencephalon)
14.
What does bilateral amygdala destruction cause?

Kluver-Bucy syndrome: fearlessness, hypersexuality, curiosity
15.
Ablation of the posterior orbital frontal cortex causes:

Insomnia [astronaut sleeping in orbit]
16.
Ablation of the cingulate gyri leads to:

Unstoppable rage! [the cingulate gyri basically keep the HULK in check]
17.
Sleep centers (most to least important):

Raphe nucleus, NTS, various parts of diencephalon
18.
A naturally-occuring substance in the brain that causes sleep

Muramyl peptide
19.
What are the characteristics of alpha waves?

Occur during quiet conciousness, at a frequency of 8-13 Hz
20.
What are the characteristics of theta waves?

Occur in children, during stages 2 & 3 sleep, disappointment, and degernative states. Their frequency is 4-7 Hz
21.
What does a petit mal EEG look like?

“spike and dome” pattern is seen in petit mal (“absence”) seizures