Brain Structure, Plasticity, Acquired Brain Injuries, and Neurological Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering brain regions, neuronal structures, developmental and adaptive plasticity, acquired brain injury impacts, and symptoms of neurological disorders from the lecture notes.

Hindbrain

A region of the brain containing structures that developed earlier in evolution; responsible for lower-level functioning and coordinating basic survival functions such as movement, breathing rate, heart rate, and digestion.

Midbrain

A collection of structures involved with movement, processing sensory information, sleep, and arousal that connects the hindbrain and forebrain, relaying neural information between brain areas and the spinal cord.

Forebrain

The brain region responsible for complex cognition, higher-order thinking, and coordinating sophisticated mental processes including learning, perception, processing, language, memory, and initiating motor movement.

Brain Stem

An extension of the spinal cord made up of the midbrain as well as some structures in the hindbrain.

Pons

A hindbrain structure involved in sleep, dreaming, arousal from sleep (waking), controlling breathing, and coordination of some muscle movements.

Medulla

A hindbrain structure that controls vital bodily functions such as swallowing, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, vomiting, salivating, coughing, and sneezing.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure that coordinates fine muscle movements and regulates posture and balance.

Reticular Formation

A network of neurons located mainly in the midbrain that extends along the brain stem; it filters neural information to the brain, relays reflexive functions, and regulates alertness and arousal.

Cerebrum

A forebrain structure involved in higher thought processes, motor control, and somatosensory functioning.

Hypothalamus

A forebrain structure that regulates the body's internal environment via control of many hormonal systems.

Thalamus

A forebrain structure that filters sensory information (other than olfactory) and relays it to other parts of the brain.

Axon Terminals

Neuron structures that send neuronal messages to the next neuron or post-synaptic neuron.

Dendrites

Neuron structures that receive neuronal messages from the presynaptic neuron.

Myelin

A protective substance that insulates the neuron and prevents disturbance from other neurons.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow; intense during infancy.

Synaptic Pruning

The elimination of underused synapses, occurring around 2-3 years of age and during adolescent years.

Myelination

The formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron, occurring from infancy to early adulthood.

Sprouting

A neuron's ability to develop new branches on its dendrites or axon.

Rerouting

A neuron's ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron.

Developmental Plasticity

Refers to changes in the brain's neural structure due to experience during growth and development; maximised during sensitive periods.

Adaptive Plasticity

Refers to the brain's ability to reroute pathways when damage occurs or to respond to experiences.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

An injury or damage to the brain that occurs after birth at any point in the lifespan.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A type of acquired brain injury caused by external factors or forces.

Non-Traumatic Brain Injury

A type of acquired brain injury caused by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen or a tumour.

Biological Functioning Impacts

Effects of acquired brain injury observed through changes in behaviour, organ function, cellular function, and neuronal function, including seizures, movement impairment, and smell impairment (olfaction).

Psychological Functioning Impacts

Effects of acquired brain injury observed through changes in cognition, behaviour, and emotion, including memory loss, personality changes, and increased susceptibility to mental illness.

Social Functioning Impacts

Effects of acquired brain injury observed through changes in relationships, interactions with the environment, and interpersonal skills, including impacts on job productivity, social support, and antisocial behaviour.

Neurological Disorder

Any disease characterized by damage to or malfunctioning of the nervous system, such as Epilepsy or Parkinson's disease.

Tremor

A symptom of Parkinson's disease involving continuous involuntary shaking of the body.

Postural Instability

A symptom of Parkinson's disease characterized by balance problems.

Bradykinesia

A symptom of Parkinson's disease characterized by slowness of movement and trouble initiating and executing movement.

Muscle Rigidity

A symptom of Parkinson's disease characterized by muscle stiffness where muscles seem unable to relax.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain resulting in seizures caused by epileptogenesis.

Seizures

Brief episodes of uncontrolled and unrestricted electrical discharging of neurons in the brain.

Aura

A sensory disturbance experienced as a symptom associated with seizures in epilepsy.