Limbic System

Question 1

Name the hypothalamic nuclei that have magnocellular neurones, where do these neurones project to?

Answer 1

Paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei

Project to the posterior pituitary gland

Question 2

Which hypothalamic nuclei controls circadian rhythms?

Answer 2

Subchiasmatic

Question 3

How are circadian rhythms regulated by the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

The subchiasmatic nuclei sends sympathetic nervous system projections (via the superior cervical ganglion) to the pineal gland which secretes the hormone melatonin

Question 4

Name the two proteins that feed-forward and name the two proteins that are inhibitory completing a 24 hour cycle?

Answer 4

Positive feed-forward = Clock/BMAL

Negative feed-back = Period/Cry

Question 5

What is the action of the lateral hypothalamic nuclei and what might a lesion in this area cause?

Answer 5

It induces feeding behaviour

Lesion will cause aphagia

Question 6

What are the actions of the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei and what might a lesion in this area cause?

Answer 6

Suppressed feeding behaviour (lesion = hyperphagia)

In women oestrogen acts on the VMN and increases sexual behaviour

Question 7

What does the circumventricular area of the hypothalamus control?

Answer 7

Drinking behaviours as it is sensitive to blood constituents and therefore affected by ADH and oxytocin secreted by the posterior pituitary gland

Question 8

What does the pre-optic area of the hypothalamus control?

Answer 8

In men testosterone acts on the pre-optic area and increases sexual behaviour

Question 9

What stimulates the anterior pituitary?

Answer 9

CRH

Question 10

What area of the hypothalamus controls the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 10

Anterior hypothalamus

Question 11

What area of the hypothalamus controls the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 11

Posterior hypothalamus

Question 12

Damage to the amygdala can lead to which condition?

Answer 12

Kluver-Bucy syndrome

Question 13

What are the symptoms of Kluver-Bucy syndrome?

Answer 13

Hyperphagia (classical symptom) 
Fronto-temporal dementia
Hyper-sexuality
Visual agnosia
Loss of fear
Hyper-orality

Question 14

Name the three nuclei of the amygdala?

Answer 14

Central
Basolateral
Corticomedial

Question 15

What three things does the amygdala regulate?

Answer 15

Emotional learning and memory
Fear and conditioning
Reward