NURS 5410 EXAM 4 REVIEW Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the three major signs/symptoms of ADHD?
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
What is the role of the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) in ADHD?
Control center for attention, focus, planning, and decision-making; underactive in ADHD.
This underactivity makes it harder to stay focused, organize, and manage impulses.
What is the function of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) in the context of ADHD?
Involved in error detection and emotional regulation; may not work efficiently in ADHD.
This inefficiency contributes to distractibility and emotional reactivity.
What area of the brain is responsible for working memory and is underactive in ADHD?
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)
This underactivity leads to forgetfulness, poor planning, and disorganization.
What is the role of the Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC) in ADHD?
Helps with impulse control and evaluating consequences; problems here contribute to impulsive choices.
Issues in this area can lead to acting without thinking or interrupting.
What brain region helps regulate movement and attention and may be underactive in ADHD?
Basal Ganglia (including Striatum)
This underactivity can lead to hyperactivity or fidgeting.
How does the Cerebellum relate to ADHD?
Involved in coordination, attention, and timing; may be smaller or not function as well in ADHD.
This can result in poor timing, clumsiness, and difficulty organizing thoughts.
What is the significance of the Nucleus Accumbens in ADHD?
Part of the brain’s reward system; may be under-stimulated in ADHD.
This under-stimulation can lead to low motivation and a preference for immediate rewards.
What does the Parietal Cortex do in relation to ADHD?
Helps with shifting and sustaining attention; may not work efficiently in ADHD.
This can result in difficulty staying focused and becoming easily distracted.
What is the main issue in ADHD regarding neurotransmitter circuits?
Under activation of circuits using dopamine and norepinephrine.
This leads to unclear message passing between brain cells and insufficient ‘signal boost’ for staying on task.
How do stimulant medications help in ADHD?
They increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity.
Examples include Methylphenidate and Amphetamines.
What are Beta-Amyloid Plaques?
Abnormal clumps of protein that build up outside neurons, disrupting communication.
These plaques are associated with Alzheimer’s dementia.
What are Neurofibrillary Tangles?
Twisted tau proteins that form inside neurons, causing cell breakdown.
They disrupt internal structures and are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s.
What is the role of Acetylcholine in Alzheimer’s dementia?
Key neurotransmitter for memory and learning; its loss worsens memory problems.
Cholinergic deficits are a consistent early marker of Alzheimer’s.
What is the main symptom of Alzheimer’s dementia?
Memory loss is the first and most noticeable symptom.
This is often accompanied by confusion and poor judgment.
What characterizes Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?
Personality and behavior changes come first, not memory loss.
Symptoms include inappropriate behavior and trouble with language.
What is the primary issue in Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)?
Fluctuating attention, visual hallucinations, and movement issues.
Memory problems are not always the first sign.
What is Vascular Dementia primarily caused by?
Thinking problems occur after strokes or reduced blood flow.
Symptoms can vary depending on the affected brain areas.
What happens in the brain during drug tolerance?
- Downregulation of receptors
- Less sensitivity to the drug
- Neuroadaptation
These changes lead to needing more of a drug for the same effect.
What brain systems are involved in cravings?
- Dopamine system (Reward pathway)
- Amygdala (Emotion center)
- Prefrontal cortex (Decision-making and control)
These areas work together to trigger cravings based on past substance use experiences.
What is the role of the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) in the reward circuit?
It sends dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ chemical, to the nucleus accumbens.
This is where the ‘reward signal’ originates.
What neurotransmitter is most important in the reward system?
Dopamine
It creates the feeling of wanting something and motivates behavior to obtain it.
What happens during nicotine withdrawal?
Dopamine levels drop, causing irritability, anxiety, and strong cravings.
This occurs due to empty nicotine receptors that the brain has become accustomed to.
What is the role of nicotine in the brain?
Nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine, causing feelings of pleasure, reward, and relaxation.
