HONR 29900 Mid-semester Exam

What two systems are involved in the neurophysiology of the mind-body connection?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the endocrine system (ES).

What are the two pathways of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).

How does the autonomic nervous system operate?

It operates autonomously without conscious intervention.

What three modes influence the autonomic nervous system?

Thoughts/memories, emotions, and breathing.

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?

To activate a 'fight or flight' survival response to threat.

What is the intended duration of the sympathetic response?

It is meant to be a short-term response; chronic activation can lead to dis-ease.

What does the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activate?

A social engagement survival response and helps return the system to relaxation and repair.

What is the goal of the parasympathetic response?

To restore systems, reduce stress, and encourage 'rest & digest'.

What is the Vagal Complex (VC)?

It involves cranial nerve ten (the vagus nerve) and several other cranial nerves, creating a feedback system with the limbic system.

What functions does the vagus nerve serve?

It includes sensory and motor fibers for sensing from the body and activating responses.

What are the three evolutionary stages of the nervous system response to threat according to Polyvagal Theory?

Dorsal vagus, sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and ventral vagal complex (VVC).

What are the modes of survival physiology activated by the nervous system?

Shutdown/freeze response, fight or flight response, and social engagement/nurture response.

What does the dorsal vagus stimulate?

It stimulates 'rest & digest' functions.

What does the ventral vagus control?

It provides fine-tuned control of heart rate responsiveness.

What are the six major branches of the vagus nerve?

Auricular, pharyngeal, laryngeal, cardiac, pulmonary, and intestinal.

How can activation of a parasympathetic response be achieved?

Through intentional stimulation of the vagal complex using various techniques and practices.

What is the overall goal of the mind-body connection in terms of response?

To be adaptive to differing situations, survive and thrive, without being stuck in any one mode.

What is the Limbic System (LS) responsible for?

Regulating emotions, memories, motivation, and certain physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Why is the Limbic System sometimes referred to as the 'survival brain'?

It encompasses instincts for survival and is a learning system that responds to pain and pleasure.

What are the four main structures of the Limbic System?

Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, Amygdala, and Thalamus.

What is the function of the Hippocampus?

Involved in learning and the formation of new memories.

What physiological functions does the Hypothalamus regulate?

Thirst, sleep, mood, and sexual arousal.

What role does the Amygdala play in the brain?

It is responsible for social and emotional responses, facilitating social engagement.

What is the Thalamus responsible for?

Sensory processing, including hearing, taste, touch, sight, and smell.

How do Cranial Nerves (CN) primarily connect to the brain?

They attach primarily to the medulla oblongata of the brain stem.

What are the two types of fibers in Cranial Nerves?

Afferent (sensory from the body to the CNS) and Efferent (motor from the CNS to the body).

How many pairs of Cranial Nerves are there?

There are 12 pairs of Cranial Nerves.

Which Cranial Nerves are primarily sensory?

I-olfactory, II-optic, and VIII-auditory.

Which Cranial Nerves are primarily motor?

III, IV, VI (eye movement), XI (spinal accessory for head/neck movement), and XII (tongue movement).

Which Cranial Nerves have both sensory and motor functions?

V (trigeminal), VII (facial), IX (glossopharyngeal), and X (Vagus).

What is the anatomy of the Vagus Nerve (X)?

It consists of both sensory and motor fibers, allowing for dynamic two-way signaling.

What are the two primary motor fibers of the Vagus Nerve?

Dorsal (unmyelinated, slow transmission) and Ventral (myelinated, fast transmission).

What does Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measure?

The adaptability of the autonomic nervous system in balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.

What does a consistently low HRV indicate?

It signals sympathetic overstimulation and chronic stress.

What does a high HRV suggest about the autonomic nervous system?

It indicates a more responsive system capable of modulating between activation and relaxation.

What is the Polyvagal Theory (PVT)?

A theory that describes three stages of nervous system response to threat, developed by Stephen Porges.

What are the three stages of nervous system response according to the Polyvagal Theory?

Primitive unmyelinated fibers for digestion, a developed sympathetic nervous system for fight or flight, and a myelinated Ventral Vagal Complex for social engagement.

What is the role of the Ventral Vagal Complex (VVC)?

It inhibits sympathetic response and regulates social engagement and nurturing through various expressions.

How do social survival strategies of the VVC benefit humans?

They allow for advanced learning and performance skills, including the 'Flow State'.

What is Interoception?

The process by which the nervous system senses, interprets, and integrates signals from within the body, mapping the internal landscape across conscious and unconscious levels.

Which part of the brain mediates Interoception?

The Limbic System.

How does the Limbic System communicate interoceptive information?

It sends signals via the Insula to the Prefrontal Cortex, where sensations are perceived into consciousness.

What role does the Insula play in Interoception?

The Insula collects information from the body via viscerosensory and somatosensory pathways.

What types of pathways does the Insula use to gather information?

Viscerosensory pathways (internal organs) and somatosensory pathways (skin, muscle, joints, sense organs).

How do the Cerebral Cortex and Orbitofrontal Cortex use interoceptive information?

They use it as signals of threat or safety to organize responses via the ANS and HPA axis.

What is the HPA axis?

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adreno axis, which is central to the Endocrine System.

What is the relationship between interoceptive signals and emotions?

Interoceptive signals are central to the experience and regulation of emotions, including bodily perceptions and physiological responses.

What does interoceptive accuracy refer to?

The correspondence between the felt sense of internal physiological changes and objective measures (e.g., heart rate, body temperature).

How do neurodevelopmental variations affect interoceptive processing?

Conditions such as hyper-anxiety, depression, and autism show variations in interoceptive processing.

What anatomical variations are linked to neurodivergent responses?

Variations in the anatomy and physiology of somatosensory structures, such as proprioception of joints.

What is a nuanced evaluation of Interoception based on?

The complexity of perceptions, including awareness, attention, intensity, and sensibility.

What may different types of training for interoceptive awareness improve?

They may show progress in different aspects of the complex and individual process of experiencing body sensations.