Psychiatry 79 - Korb

Neuron

About 10% of the brain, the basic functional unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting and processing information

Myelin

Wraps around axon, sort of insulation, allows axon signals to move much faster. The more certain cells get used, the more this gets wrapped around it

Synapse

A place where neurons come together. Neurons move on average around 7,000 ____

Grey Matter (Brain)

Neuron Cell Bodies, all computing is done here, more ancient circuits are within

White Matter (Brain)

Axons, white because myelin is made of fat

Cortex

Surface

Prefrontal Cortex

thinking, planning, and impulse control (newest and evolved the most), frontal part of frontal cortex. The only part that controls long-term goals, others satisfy their need in the moment. It regulates the limbic system and striatum.

Limbic System

Emotions and memory (more newly evolved)

Striatum

Impulses, routines, and reward → almost in the middle of the brain

Dorsal Striatum 

The upper part is where the deepest, most ingrained habits reside; it doesn't discriminate between good and bad habits. All habits benefit in the short term. 

Nucleus Accumbens

Reward center in the brain it wants to do whatever is most pleasurable. Dopamine gets released in response to unexpected reward or in anticipation to reward, motivates actions to achieve that reward. Enjoy process to setting reward even if you dont really want the reward itself.

Limbic

Biases conversation towards the habitual and impulsive nucleus accumbens. When you are emotional, you are more likely to do what is immediately pleasurable. Closely connected to the hypothalamus, it pays attention to what you need. 

Amygdala

Closely connected to hypothalamus, strong emotions, threat detector

Hippocampus

Important in long term memories

Anterior Cingulate

Experience pain, focus, attention, and information that may be relevant, sit between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system.