Reticular Formation Flashcards
What is the reticular formation?
Continuous network of nerve cells and fibers that extend through the neuroaxis from the SC to the cerebral cortex
- Acts like a fish net that catches collaterals from every ascending or descending system
What are the 7 general functions of the reticular formation?
- Control of skeletal muscle
- Control of somatic/ visceral sensation
- Cortical activation
- Control of ANS
- Control of Endocrine Nervous System with Hypothalamus
- Sleep
What are the 3 portions of the non-cerebellar reticular formation?
- Median longitudinal column
- Medial longitudinal column
- Lateral longitudinal column
What nuclei are found in the median longitudinal columns?
Raphe nuclei
What is the function of the median longtudinal column?
Pain/ motor modulation
What is the size of the median longitudinal column?
Intermediate size
What is the function of the medial longitudinal column?
Efferent system
What is the size of the medial longitudinal column?
Large (gigantocellular)
What is the size of the lateral column?
Small (parvocellular)
What is the function of the lateral longitudinal column?
Afferent system
What are the 3 pre-cerebellar longitudinal columns?
- Pontine reticulotegmental
- Paramedian reticular
- Lateral reticular
What is the function of serotonin?
- Mood (happiness, well being)
- Pain modulation
- Aggression
- Memory processing
- Sleep
- Cognition
- Food intake
Is serotonin a neurotransmitter?
No
Where is serotonin found in the reticular formation?
- Median area of reticular formation
- Dorsal and median raphe nuclei
What are the 5 functions of dopamine?
- Reward/ motivation
- Pleasure/ euphoria
- Motor funciton/ fine tuning
- Compulsion
- Preservation
In what 2 areas is dopamine found?
- Substantia nigra
- Ventral tegmental area
What is the function of the substantia nigra?
Facillitate voluntary movement
What is the function of the ventral tegmental area?
Reward systems
- Reinforces adaptive behaviors
Where is norepinephrine found in the reticular formation?
- LOCUS COERULEUS
- Pontine and medullary groups
What is the function of norepinephrine?
Regulates:
- Attention
- Arousal
- Sleep wake cycles
- Learning
- Memory
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Mood
- Brain metabolism
What type of stimuli activates norepinephrine?
Unexpected, non-painful sensory stimuli
What may result from an excess of norepinephrine?
Anxiety
What may result from a deficiency of norepinephrine?
Depression
What are the 3 major contributers to a balanced mood from the 3 neurochemicals involved in the reticular formation?
Dopamine: Alterness
Norepinephrine: Concentration
Serotonin: Satisfaction
