Chp 1: Neuropsychology Introduction

Question 1

What is neuropsychology?

Answer 1

Understanding the relationships between brain, behaviours and cognitions

Question 2

Neuropsychology Case Studies

Answer 2

Phineas Gage
- A relationship between personality, executive function and the prefrontal cortex is observed
Patient Tan
Dr. Paul Broca
- A relationship between speech and the inferior frontal gyrus is observed
Patient HM
- A relationship between long term memory formation and the hippocampus and medial temporal lobes is observed

Question 3

Localization

Answer 3

the idea that certain functions have certain locations or areas within the brain.

• Personality – prefrontal cortex
• Speech – inferior frontal gyrus (Broca’s area)
• Memory – hippocampus

Question 4

Lateralization

Answer 4

localization of function or activity on one side of the body in preference to the other

• Speech – LEFT inferior frontal gyrus

Question 5

Modern imaging technology has… (4)

Answer 5

Refined understanding of brain function
* Towards incorporation of a distributed systems perspective
* A cognitive function might not carried out by a very discrete brain region – multiple regions may participate in any one function
* Each brain region may participate in multiple cognitive functions

Question 6

Neuropsychological assessment

Answer 6

• Tests provide a more complete picture of a patient’s potential impairments
• Sometimes brain injury isn’t apparent in imaging and testing is necessary to elucidate impairments

Question 7

The difference between traumatic brain injury and
non-traumatic brain injury

Answer 7

• Traumatic impact injuries can be defined as closed (or non-penetrating) or open (penetrating)
• Non-traumatic brain injury (acquired brain injury)
  causes damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, pressure from a tumor, etc.

Question 8

That often the disability that follows brain injury is

Answer 8

Invisible

Question 9

case studies: Rebecca

Answer 9

• Sustained a non-traumatic brain injury at the beginning of the pandemic
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Rupture of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) beside left angular gyrus

Question 10

Once neural tissue has been destroyed and lost
through neuron death…

Answer 10

that brain tissue won’t be regenerated, it is lost forever, like an amputation

Question 11

Neuroplasticity, and how can it be boosted?

Answer 11

• Because the brain shows NEUROPLASTICITY, the
  remaining brain tissue may begin to take up function of the lost brain tissue
• NEUROPLASTICITY can be boosted by increasing:
• Physical activity
• Social interaction/connection
• Novelty