psych 1000 chapter 3a definitions

Materialistic Monism

there is no mind (mental experience) without the brain

Neuropsychological assessment

Clinical diagnosis of brain damage through psychological (behavioural) tests. ex: “clock” test for dimentia

(EEG) Electroencephalogram 

Uses scalp electrodes to record and amplify neuronal activity in the brain (cortex)

(ERP) Event Related Potentials

• Detects changes in electrical activity (during EEG) following presentaion of a stimulus.

• Used to diagnose sensory or information processing deficits (autism)

Structural Imaging

Provides a picture of brain only

Functional Imaging

Reveals areas of brain activity

(CT) Computerized Axial Tomography

Detailed X-ray images from multiple angles. Used to visualize sizable abnormalities

(MRI) Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Uses strong magnetic field and radio waves to provide a structural image of soft brain tissue. This is used to diagnose tumours, bulging disks, etc.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Detailed view of pathways in brain. Detects stroke, consussion, atzheimers

(PET) Positron Emission Tomography

Records the consumption of radioactive glucose. Used to diagnose brain disorders like cancer and parkinson’s

(fMRI) Functional MRI

• looks at oxygenated blood vs unoxygenated blood

• determines areas of brain where oxygen is being utilized (more active)

Lesion

Brain tissue destruction or removal

Stimulation

Activation of specific regions of the brain, mostly electrical and chemical.

Neurons

-generate action potentials

-form synapses with other neurons (and body parts)

-release chemicals (neurotransmitters)

Glial Cells

-support neurons

-do not generate action potentials

Astrocytes

• Creates blood-brain barrier

• influences communication between neurons

• helps heal brain damage

Microglia

Cleans up dead cells and prevents infection in the brain

Oligodendroglia

Provides myelin to speed up transmission of neurons

fucntional types of neurons

• sensory

• motor

• interneurons

Dendrites

carry information from one neuron to another

cell body (soma)

“life support center” containing nucleus 

Axon

fiber that generates action potentials

Axon Hillock

where the axon connects to cell body

What is a neuron “at rest” referred to?

Polarized

What type of response is action potential?

All or none response

Excitatory postsynaptic Potentials (EPSPs)

Depolarizes the post synaptic neuron and increase the likelihood of an action potential

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (IPSPs)

Hyperpolarize the post synaptic neuron and decrease the likelihood of an action potential

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials (EPSPs)

• positively charged ion enters cell (ex. Na+)

• post synaptic neuron becomes depolarized (moves farther from firing threshold)

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (ESPSs)

• negatively charged ion enters cell (ex. Cl-)

• post synaptic neuron becomes hyperpolarized (moves away from firing threshold)

Re-uptake

When a neurotransmitter is reabsorbed by the sending neuron

Agonist

Mimics action of neurotransmitter. Bonds to receptor and produces similar effect

Antagonist

Blocks action of neurotransmitter. Competes with neurotransmitter for receptor but exerts no effect of its own

Glutamate

Function: Learning, movement

Associated drugs: Ketamine

GABA

Function: Learning, axiety regulation

Associated drugs: Valium (diazepam), Ambien (zolpidem)

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Function: Learning, attention

Associated drugs: Nicotine

Dopamine

Function: Movement, reward learning

Associated drugs: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine

Serotonin

Function: Mood regulation, food intake, perception

Associated drugs: MDMA, LSD, MAOIs, SSRIs, antidepressants

Norepinephrine

Function: Attention, arousal

Associated drugs: Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine)

Neural network

Neurons from circuits or networks that expand the communication among different brain regions