Ch 11 - Emotional Behaviors

pure autonomic failure

condition when output from the autonomic nervous system to the body fails

limbic system

interlinked structures that form a border around the brainstem

behavioral activation system (BAS)

left brain hemispheric activity marked by low to moderate autonomic arousal and a tendency to approach, which could characterize either happiness or anger

behavioral inhibition system (BIS)

right brain hemispheric activity, which increases attention and arousal, inhibits action, and stimulates emotions such as fear and disgust

facial-feedback hypothesis

proposes that our facial expressions can influence our emotions

turnover

release and resynthesis of a neurotransmitte

dual-hormone hypothesis

aggressive behavior relates to facilitation by testosterone and inhibition by the hormone cortisol

startle reflex

response that one makes after a sudden, unexpected loud noise or similar sudden stimulus

bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

a set of neurons that connect to the amygdala

panic disorder

condition marked by frequent periods of anxiety and rapid breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, and trembling

PTSD

a condition resulting from a severe traumatic experience, leading to a long-lasting state of frequent distressing recollections (flashbacks) and nightmares about the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders of it, and exaggerated arousal in response to noises and other stimuli

benzodiazepines

a class of anti-anxiety drugs that bind to the GABA receptor so that the GABA binds more easily

ex: lithium, valium

Behavioral medicine

a field that includes the effects of diet, smoking, exercise, stressful experiences, and other behaviors on health

general adaptation syndrome

a generalized response to stress

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

chemical released from the anterior pituitary gland, which enhances metabolic activity and elevates blood levels of sugar

leukocytes

white blood cells

antibodies

Y-shaped proteins that attach to particular kinds of antigens

antigens

surface proteins on a cell that identify the cell as your own

prostaglandins

chemicals the immune system delivers to the hypothalamus, causing a fever

psychoneuroimmunology

study of the ways in which experiences, especially stressful ones, alter the immune system and how the immune system influences the central nervous system

resilience

ability to recover well from a traumatic experience

stress

negative experience accompanied by characteristic emotional, behavioral, biochemical and physiological reactions

stressor

any object, person, place, or event that causes stress — evokes a fight or flight response

stress is mediated by what 2 systems

• sympatho-adrenomedullary axis (SAM Axis)

• HPA Axis

SAM Axis

• initiated by locus coeruleus, releases neurepinephrine which activates sympathetic nervous system

• epinephrine released by adrenal glands

SAM activates ______

HPA Axis

What is part of the HPA Axis?

1. Hypothalamus

2. Pituitary Gland

3. Adrenal Gland

Paraventricular Nucleus

mediates fight-or-flight response and receieves input from manifold systems

Hypothalamus releases CRH (corticotropic-releading hormone), which travels through blood supply to where?

Pituitray Gland

Adrenal Gland

glands located atop kidneys that secrete steroids and NTs

Glucocorticoids

hormones that support/govern manifold metabolic, cardiovascular, and immunologic functions

What is glucocorticoid’s role in stress?

increases the production and availability of blood glucose, humans need some glucocorticoids

Addison’s Disease

insufficient concentration of steroid hormones, low blood pressure and hyperpigmentation

Cushing’s Syndrome

excessive concentration of glucocorticoids

Feedback loop

increases or decreases output of glucocorticoids

what happens to SAM axis under chronic stress?

• habituation: decrease in release of neurepinephrine

• sensitization: greater release of neurepinephrine

what happens to HPA axid during chronic stress?

• no habituation —→ glucocorticoids remain high

• impaired feedback loop (glucocorticoids remain high, depression)

dexamethasome

synthetic glucocorticoid

what happens to the brain under chronic stress?

• impairs dopamine activity in prefrontal cortex, which impairs ability to cope (hippocampal atropy = hippocampus becomes smaller)

• loss of hippocampal CRH inhibition = elecated cortisol