Neuropsychology Flash Card Set

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, processes sensory data, and controls higher functions like thinking and emotions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the rest of the body, comprising the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls involuntary actions such as heart rate and digestion, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that activates fight or flight responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS that activates rest and digest responses.

Parkinson's Disease

A disorder caused by loss of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to tremors, rigidity, and slowed movements.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A disorder caused by the immune system attacking the myelin sheath, leading to muscle weakness and coordination issues.

Alzheimer's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline due to plaque accumulation.

Sensory Neurons

Transmit information from sensory organs to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Send signals from the CNS to trigger muscle or gland actions.

Interneurons

Connect sensory and motor neurons in the CNS, enabling reflexes and processing.

Dendrites

Branch-like projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

The long part of a neuron that transmits electrical signals from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

The fatty layer covering the axon that speeds up signal transmission.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where signals are transferred via neurotransmitters.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for decision-making, emotions, and motor control.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information including touch and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in memory, hearing, and language comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Specialized for visual processing.

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

Hippocampus

Essential for memory formation and spatial navigation.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

Phineas Gage Incident

An event where damage to Gage's frontal lobe caused drastic personality changes, highlighting the lobe's role in personality.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, with deficiencies linked to depression.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward and motor control, with its deficiency related to Parkinson's disease.

Oxytocin

A hormone that promotes bonding and trust, deficiency linked to social anxiety.

Low Serotonin

Associated with mental health issues like depression and OCD.

Low Oxytocin

Linked to social challenges and features of autism.

Neurotransmitter Imbalance

Absence or overproduction can lead to mood changes and cognitive impairments in various mental disorders.