Pre-Mid Mod Flashcards
(412 cards)
The changes in synapses that affect the process of how information is transmitted through the nervous system
Neuroplasticity
What is the general progression of developmental neuroplasticity
Neuronal pathways that are used more are strengthened (potentiation) and pathways that are used less are weakened (depression)
What are some of the proposed drivers of neuroplasticity
The amount of neurotransmitters in the cleft; the amount of post-synaptic receptors (both control the amount of response by the post-synaptic cell, which affects the pre-synaptic cell); structurally could drive the amount of dendrites being produced
Describe the progression of visual development in the brain
During the fetal period, nerve fibers from both of the eyes make connections with overlapping territories of the visual cortex
What is the critical period for vision development
Ends at ~6-8 years old
Condition where one eye has a competitive advantage for space in the visual cortex, which results in lack of input to/from the other eye (causes loss of vision in the affected eye, strabismus)
Amblyopia
When is the maximal amount of dendritic spine formation (synaptic development)/peak of CNS myelination
~6 months old
What are some inhibitory/damaging agents of synaptic development
Perinatal hypoxia
Malnutrition
Environmental toxins
What genetic diseases can inhibit the myelination of CNS neurons
Leukodystrophies
Phenylketonuria
(also malnutrition)
What two locations in the brain are continuously creating new neurons via stem cells (neurogenesis)
Olfactory bulb
Hippocampus
What are the four types of amblyopia and what causes them
- Refractive- hyperopia/myopia/astigmatism
- Strabismic- deviation of eye position
- Visual deprivation- cataracts/infections/hemorrhages/etc.
- Occlusion- overcorrection by blocking the healthy eye
What is the treatment for amblyopia
Eyepatch the good eye for a time
What types of signals is the thalamus responsible to relay
-Sensory
-Consciousness
-Sleep
-Alertness
What are the functions of the hypothalamus
-Autonomic control
-Temperature regulation
-Water balance
-Pituitary control
Describe the neuropathology of a fever
Inflammatory mediators (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF) enter the brain and stimulate prostaglandin E2 synthesis in the anterior hypothalamus (severe damage to this area will develop hyperpyrexia)
What are the symptoms of hypothalamic syndrome
-Diabetes insipidus (loss of ADH)
-Fatigue (low cortisol)
-Obesity
-Temperature dysregulation
What are the signals transmitted by the limbic system
Emotion
Long-term memory
Smell
Behavior modification
ANS
What are the brain components of the limbic system
Cingulate gyrus
Hippocampus
Fornix
Amygdala
Mamillary bodies
Damage to the bilateral amygdalas; characterized by hyperphagia, hyperorality, inappropriate sexual behavior, and visual agnosia
Kluver-Bucy Syndrome
What is a possible cause of Kluver-Bucy Syndrome
HSV1 encephalitis
What is the symptom of lesions of the hippocampus
Anterograde amnesia
What is a common cause of damage to the hippocampus
Hypoxic injury
What is the progression of the fear response associated with the amygdala
Cortex/thalamus (sensory input) > lateral amygdala > central medial amygdala > paraventricular thalamus (cortisol release)/lateral hypothalamus (ANS)/periaqueductal gray matter (fear behavior)
What is the location of the amygdala
Anteromedial temporal lobe