4.11 Brainstem Class Notes

Question 1

neuromodulators

Answer 1

• almost always slower

- released upstream of the axon terminal

Question 2

neurotransmitters

Answer 2

• fast or slow acting

- released from the presynaptic membrane

Question 3

flat affect in schizos

Answer 3

• too much dopamine being released from SN

- dopamine thought to underlie affect

Question 4

Which CNs come off the midbrain?

Answer 4

3

4

Question 5

Which CNs come off the pons?

Answer 5

5
6
7
8

Question 6

Which CNs come off the medulla?

Answer 6

9-12

Question 7

anterior (basilar) brainstem

Answer 7

motor (ventral)

Question 8

middle (tegmentum) function

Answer 8

• CN function
• sensory integration
• reticular formation

Question 9

posterior (tectum) function

Answer 9

reflexive movements of eyes and head

Question 10

tracts that begin in the brainstem

Answer 10

• rubrospinal
• reticulospinal
• vestibulospinal
• raphespinal
• ceruleospinal

Question 11

What is the “core” of the brainstem?

Answer 11

reticular formation

Question 12

RF contains

Answer 12

• reticular nucleu

- ascending & descending reticular pathways

Question 13

3 major functions of RF

Answer 13

• integration of sensory/cortical
• modulation of nociception
• regulation of consciousness, motor, autonomic

Question 14

4 RF nuclei

Answer 14

1. ventral tegmental area (VTA)
2. PPN
3. Raphe nuclei
4. Locus ceruleus

Question 15

The RF nuclei use (NT/NM)

Answer 15

neuromodulators

Question 16

VTA uses this NM

Answer 16

dopamine

Question 17

function of VTA

Answer 17

• reward center
• motivation
• decision making

Question 18

targets of VTA

Answer 18

• ventral striatum
• hippocampus
• amygdala
• prefrontal cortex

Question 19

ventral striatum is associated with

Answer 19

pleasure and reward

Question 20

hippocampus is associated with

Answer 20

memory

Question 21

amygdala is associated with

Answer 21

• emotion

- conversion to long-term memories

Question 22

No dopamine in prefrontal cortex »

Answer 22

flat affect

Question 23

NM for PPN

Answer 23

acetylcholine

Question 24

function of PPN

Answer 24

influences movement (sp. postural muscles)

Question 25

targets of the PPN

Answer 25

- prefrontal cortex - motor thalamus - GP, STN - limbic system - origin of RST

Question 26

NM for Raphe nuclei

Answer 26

serotonin

Question 27

function of Raphe nuclei

Answer 27

modulation of arousal levels

Question 28

Raphe nuclei: midbrain

Answer 28

mood (serotonin makes ya happy)

Question 29

Raphe nuclei: pons

Answer 29

modulates sensory, autonomic, and motor (more with motivation to move)

Question 30

Raphe nuclei: medulla

Answer 30

modulation of pain/sensory

Question 31

Why might people with depression feel pain?

Answer 31

due to Raphe nuclei | - interferes with serotonin release onto dorsal horn

Question 32

targets of Raphe nuclei

Answer 32

- cerebral cortex - thalamus - tectum (MB) - striatum - amygdala - hippocampus - SC

Question 33

NM for the locus ceruleus

Answer 33

norepinephrine

Question 34

norepinephrine/epi target this

Answer 34

hypothalamus (major part of endocrine system)

Question 35

function of locus ceruleus

Answer 35

primarily attention (most active during attn)

Question 36

ascending pathways of locus ceruleus

Answer 36

direct attn

Question 37

descending pathways of locus ceruleus

Answer 37

activation of LMNs + intereurons

Question 38

targets of locus ceruleus

Answer 38

similar to serotonin - cerebrum - thalamus - tectum - striatum - amygdala - hippocampus - SC

Question 39

ceruleospinal tract function

Answer 39

inhibits pain in dorsal horn, natural endorphines - can also use epinephrine

Question 40

What is the locus ceruleus a part of?

Answer 40

the ARAS

Question 41

ARAS

Answer 41

ascending reticular activating system

Question 42

How does ARAS affect sleep?

Answer 42

activation wakes up cerebral cortex

Question 43

What must be the case for normal circadian activity?

Answer 43

All parts of the ARAS need to be fully functional

Question 44

internal clock

Answer 44

SCN

Question 45

SCN

Answer 45

suprachiasmatic nucleus