B & B Exam 4

Circadian rhythm

Daily cycles of biological processes; example: human sleep-wake cycle.

Ultradian rhythm

Cycles shorter than a day; example: human eating cycles.

Circannual rhythm

Yearly biological cycles; example: migratory cycles of birds.

Zeitgeber

An environmental event that entrains biological rhythms; for example, light resets the biological clock.

Retinohypothalamic pathway

The pathway that carries information about light to the SCN, originating from photosensitive retinal ganglion cells and terminating in the hypothalamus.

Pineal gland

A gland involved in sleep regulation by producing melatonin in response to darkness.

REM sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement, dreaming, and temporary muscle paralysis.

Brain waves during REM sleep

Brain waves during REM are similar to those when a person is awake.

NREM sleep

The stages of sleep before REM, where waves get deeper and slower predominantly in the first half of the night.

Sleep across the lifespan

Changes in sleep patterns with age, showing a decrease in REM sleep as one gets older.

SCN (Suprachiasmatic Nucleus)

The part of the hypothalamus that acts as the master clock regulating circadian rhythms.

Dream content and brain activation

The activation synthesis model suggests that the brain activity during REM sleep is related to the content of dreams.

Engram

A physical trace of a memory in the brain.

LTP (Long-Term Potentiation)

A process related to sensitization and the formation of memories.

LTD (Long-Term Depression)

A process related to habituation, leading to a decrease in synaptic strength.

Conditioning in behavior modification therapy

Uses operant conditioning and classical conditioning to modify behaviors.

Emotional therapy vs. cognitive therapy

Emotional therapy focuses on processing emotions, while cognitive therapy focuses on thought patterns.

VR in therapy

Virtual reality is used to create immersive environments to treat conditions like phobias and PTSD.

Enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia

A developmental abnormality associated with schizophrenia.

Dopamine Theory of Schizophrenia

The hypothesis that excess dopamine contributes to the symptoms of schizophrenia.

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Medications that increase serotonin availability in the brain.

MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)

Medications that inhibit the breakdown of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Non-medical treatments for depression

Exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy are effective alternatives.

Anxiety disorders

Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobia, OCD, and PTSD.

Drugs for anxiety treatment

Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, and SNRIs are commonly used.

Coup injury

Injury at the site of impact to the brain.

Contrecoup injury

Injury on the opposite side of the brain from the impact due to rebound.

CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)

A neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma.

Ischemic stroke

A type of stroke that occurs when blood flow is blocked.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures.

MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

An autoimmune disorder that attacks myelin, affecting communication between the nervous system.

ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

A treatment for severe depression involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

Tardive dyskinesia

Involuntary movements that can result from the use of antipsychotic medications.