Methods and Architecture of the Nervous System

Lesion studies

Damages brain areas to infer their functions.

Single-cell recording

Monitors activity of one neuron during stimuli.

Multi-unit recording

Records activity from multiple neurons simultaneously.

Transection studies

Cuts neural pathways to observe functional deficits.

Neuropsychological studies

Examines brain function through individuals with damage.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Measures electrical activity in the brain via electrodes.

CT (CAT) scans

Constructs 3D images from X-ray slices.

MRI scans

Uses magnetic fields to visualize brain structure.

PET scans

Tracks radioactive glucose to measure metabolic activity.

fMRI scans

Detects blood oxygenation changes to measure activity.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects CNS to organs and muscles.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Controls skeletal muscles and sensory input.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates internal organs and glands.

Sympathetic branch

Prepares body for action ('fight or flight').

Parasympathetic branch

Restores body to resting state.

Brain Stem

Controls vital functions like breathing and circulation.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and spatial reasoning.

Cerebral cortex

Outermost brain layer for higher mental functions.

Lateralization

Functional differences between brain hemispheres.

Corpus callosum

Connects left and right brain hemispheres.

Sensory areas

Interpret sensory information from various senses.

Motor areas

Control voluntary movements in the body.

Association areas

Involved in higher mental processes like memory.

Brain plasticity

Brain's ability to change and adapt.

Cortical reorganization

Reassignment of cortical areas based on experience.

Apraxias

Disturbances in voluntary movement.

Agnosias

Difficulties recognizing objects or faces.

Neglect syndrome

Inattention to one side of space.

Aphasias

Language disorders from damage to specific areas.

Planning and social cognition disorders

Impairments from damage to prefrontal cortex.

Neurogenesis

The birth of new neurons in the adult brain.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life.

Computed Tomography (CT) scan

Imaging technique using X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize brain structure.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Imaging technique tracking radioactive glucose to measure metabolic activity.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Imaging technique measuring brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Returns the body to a resting state.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions (breathing, heart rate).

Midbrain

Relays sensory information and regulates pain, mood.

Forebrain

Largest part of the brain, responsible for higher-level functions.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Frontal Lobe

Planning, decision-making, personality.

Parietal Lobe

Processing sensory information (touch, temperature, pain).

Temporal Lobe

Auditory processing, language, memory.

Occipital Lobe

Visual processing.

Dendritic spines

Small protrusions from dendrites that receive synaptic input.

Synapses

Junctions between neurons where communication occurs.

Cortical Reorganization

Shifting of functions within the cerebral cortex.