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Y2 CONTROL & MOVEMENT > Limbic System > Flashcards

Limbic System Flashcards

1
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2
Q

What are the main functions of the limbic system, the amygdala and the hippocampal formation?

A
  • Control of memory and emotion
  • coordination of some autonomic responses
  • the amygdala controls emotions
  • the hippocampal formation is involved with formation of memories, specifically short-term
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3
Q

What are the following structures?

What is significant about their relationship with the limbic system?

A

The olfactory tract is involved with the limbic system

smell can trigger emotions, memories and autonomic nervous system responses

the olfactory bulb and olfactory tract are outgrowths of the telencephalon - olfaction is the only sensory system to bypass the thalamus on the way to the cerebral cortex

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4
Q

What are the following structures?

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5
Q

What is the isthmus?

A

A narrowing of the cingulate gyrus where it is continuous with the parahippocampal gyrus

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6
Q

What is the uncus?

A

The parahippocampal gyrus hooks upon itself anteriorly to form a bump called the uncus

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7
Q

Where is the cingulate gyrus located?

A

Below the cingulate sulcus and above the corpus callosum

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8
Q

What is meant by HOME to remember the limbic structures?

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H - Homeostasis

  • performed by the hypothalamus
  • e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, production and release of hormones

O - Olfaction

  • paraolfactory area

M - Memory

  • hippocampus

E - Emotions

  • amygdala
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9
Q

Which developed first, the limbic system or the neocortex?

A

The limbic system is phylogenetically older and was present before the brain developed

the neocortex evolved later in development and is responsible for higher order functions

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10
Q

What is the cingulum?

A

The cingulum is underlying the cingulate gyrus

it receives information from pre-frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal gyri

it is involved in the formation of memories and emotions

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11
Q

What kind of subcortical white matter fibre type is the cingulum?

A

Association fibres

these white matter fibres interconnect regions of one hemisphere with the limbic lobe and the hippocampus

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12
Q

What is the role of the limbic system?

A

The limbic system is concerned with the regulation of drive and affective behaviour and plays a crucial role in memory and learning

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13
Q

What parts of the limbic system are concerned with emotions and memory?

A

Amygdala - emotional brain:

  • emotional and motivational aspects of behaviour
  • e.g. pain, pleasure, rage
  • provides emotional component to the learning process

Hippocampus - associated with memory

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14
Q

What is the amygdala?

Where is it found and what is its main function?

A

It is an almond shaped nuclear complex (collection of cell bodies) in the medial temporal lobe

it is located deep to the uncus

it is mainly involved in emotions and behaviour

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15
Q

What is the primitive role of the amygdala?

How can we control this?

A

The primitive role is important for species preservation

e.g. feeding, drinking, sex, nurturing, need for survival

we have control of the amygdala due to the neocortex allowing us to rationalise and acquire context, whereas animals do not

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16
Q

What is the hippocampal formation (hippocampus)?

Where is it found and what is its main role?

A

Nuclear complex (nerve cell bodies) in the medial temporal lobe

it is found deep to the parahippocampal gyrus

it is mainly involved in memory

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17
Q

What happens if there is a lesion in the hippocampal formation?

A

Lose the ability to form new memories

the hippocampal formation is mainly involved in formation of short term memories, so it is difficult for a single lesion to affect long term memories

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18
Q

Where is the cingulum?

What are the landmarks of the limbic system?

A

Landmarks are the bumpy regions we can see in the brain as they have something underneath them

the cingulum is a bundle of association fibres bringing information from the cortex and towards the limbic system

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19
Q

What are the connections associated with the limbic system?

A

Stria terminalis:

  • connects the amygdala to the hypothalamus

Fornix:

  • connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus
  • they both follow the curves of the lateral ventricles
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20
Q

What does the fornix connect to?

A

The fornix connects the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus

connecting to the hypothalamus immediately triggers functions of the hypothalamus, such as autonomic responses

emotions and memories can trigger autonomic responses e.g. increased heart rate

21
Q

What 3 structures does the amygdala link with?

A
  • Unprocessed visual, auditory, somatosensory, gustatory and olfactory stimuli

Cortex - cingulate & parahippocampal gyri:

  • Processed visual, auditory, somatosensory, gustatory and olfactory stimuli
  • the majority of the connections reaching the amygdala

Nuclei of autonomic nervous system:

  • brainstem and hypothalamus
  • this involves emotions triggering increased HR, salivation, BP etc.
22
Q

What is the difference between unprocessed and processed stimuli reaching the amygdala?

A

Unprocessed stimuli:

  • minor direct projections where the sensory systems connect directly with the amygdala
  • before information is processed in the neocortex, a few fibres reach the amygdala and trigger an emotional response

Processed stimuli:

  • information from what we see is sent via the visual cortex, processed and sent to the visual association cortex to give it meaning
  • information is given meaning and context before being sent to the amygdala
  • context means the emotion is not as powerful
23
Q

What is the outflow tract of the amygdala?

A

Stria terminalis

this is a band of fibres that runs along the ventricular surface of the thalamus (in lateral ventricle)

24
Q

Label the features of the hippocampal formation

What is their appearance like?

A

Dentate gyrus:

  • strip of grey matter with a tooth-like appearance

Hippocampus proper:

  • has a seahorse appearance in coronal section

the hippocampal formation forms the floor of the inferior horns of the lateral ventricles

25
Q

Where is the hippocampus located in coronal section?

A
26
Q

What does the fornix contain?

Where does it lead to?

A

The fornix contains the main efferent fibres of the hippocampus

it follows a C-shape over the thalamus to reach the hypothalamus

some fibres reach the mammillary bodies

27
Q

Label the components of the fornix and hippocampus

A
28
Q

What is the hippocampal commissure?

A

There is a hippocampus in each hemisphere

the hippocampal commissure allows for communication between fornices on both sides of the brain

29
Q

How long is the hippocampus?

Where does it end?

A

It is about 5 cm long

it narrows and ends near the splenium of the corpus callosum

30
Q

Where are the mammillary bodies located?

A

Posterior to the optic chiasma and infundibulum

31
Q

Label the planes of dissection

A
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A
33
Q

What is the role of the circuit of papez?

What structures are involved?

A

Reinforcement of emotion, memory and olfaction with each other for survival responses

it is a closed, bidirectional circuit:

  • hippocampus
  • fornix
  • mammillary bodies
  • anterior thalamic nuclei
  • cingulate gyrus
  • hippocampus
34
Q

What are the stages involved in the function of the Circuit of Papez?

A
35
Q

What is the main function of the hippocampal formation?

A

Short term memory

  • vital for the formation of new memories and learning
  • damage leads to an inability to recall recent events (short term memory) and learning
  • memories of distant past and intelligence remain intact if there is a lesion
36
Q

What inputs does the hippocampal formation receive?

WHat is the outflow tract?

A

The hippocampus receives all types of information (inputs) via the cingulum

it receives information from many areas including the cingulate gyrus and other cortical areas

the fornix is the major outflow tract

it connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus and septal area

37
Q

Where do fibres travel once they have reached the mammillary body from the hippocampus?

A

Fibres ascend to the anterior nucleus of the thalamus

fibres then project to the cingulate gyrus

they are then distributed to cortical areas including pre-frontal, posterior parietal and temporal association via the cingulum

38
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A
39
Q

What happens in the hippocampus when specific items of information are important to remember?

A

When specific items of information are important to remember, these items are rehearsed repeatedly until they are permanently stored in the areas of the cortex associated with long-term memory

40
Q

What is the endocrine function of the hippocampal formation?

A
  • It has inputs to the hypothalamus - modulatory role
  • hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland
41
Q

What is the definition of memory?

What are the 4 different types of memory?

A

The mental capacity to encode, consolidate, store and retrieve information

  • sensory memory
  • working memory
  • recent memory
  • remote memory
42
Q

What is sensory memory?

How long does it last for?

A

Information perceived from the senses which is usually sent to working memory

it is quick and short-lived (in 2 seconds we understand what we see, hear, etc.)

it is visual, auditory or haptic

43
Q

What is working memory and where is it stored?

A

Occurs in the hippocampus

Information we hold on to as we learn

it has the capacity to manipulate information and give privilege to what information is held in the brain

It has limited capacity so it can only hold a few items at the same time, but can prioritise this information

44
Q

What ways can help the working memory deal with and store new information?

A
  • Chunking information
  • linking information with things we already know - e.g. acronyms
45
Q

What is recent memory?

Where is it stored?

A

If working memory is consolidated enough, it can become long-term memory

the recent memory is found in the hippocampus

46
Q

What is consolidation?

A

When you take new memories from the hippocampus and bring them into the neocortex for permanent storage

not all recent memories can be consolidated

47
Q

What is remote memory and where is it found?

A

Remote memory is long term memory

it is stored in the neocortex

48
Q

What is retrieval?

What is retrieval practice?

A

The ability to recall information stored in the neocortex or hippocampus by bringing it back to working memory

the strength of pathway determines the efficiency of retrieval

retrieval practice involves constant review of material

49
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