AP Psych: Brain plasticity/split brain, sleep, and drugs

Plasticity

refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes

Split brain research

studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callostomy, which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain

Contralateral hemispheric organization

the phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls opposite sides of the body

Hemispheric specialization

explored through split brain research, refers to the concept that each hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities

Linguistic processing

the complex cognitive processes involved in understanding and producing language

Broca's area

located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe, that is responsible for speech production and language processing

Broca's Aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to Broca's area in the left hemisphere of the brain, often resulting from stroke or brain injury.

Wernicke's area

region located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language

Wernicke's Aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to Wernicke's area in the left hemisphere of the brain, typically resulting from stroke or brain injury

EEG

non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain

fMRI

neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

Lesioning

research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals

Concsiousness

the state of being aware of and able to perceive one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings. it involves various levels, from alert wakefulness to altered states such as sleep or meditation

Circcadian rythym

the natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. it influences patterns of alertness, hormone release, body temperature, and other psysiological processes

jet lag

a temporary disruption of the bodys circadian rythym due to rapid travel across multiple time zones. it can result in fatuque, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating as the body adjusts to the new time zone.

shift work

employement schedule that require working outside of typical daytime hours, often disrupting the bodys natural circadian rhythm. it can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and increased risk of health problems due to the mismatch between work hours and the bodys internal clock.

NREM stage 1

a stage of NREM sleep characterized by drifting in and out of sleep, lasting only a few minutes

NREM stage 2

a stage of NREM sleep characterized by light sleep, lasting about 20 minutes

NREM stage 3

a stage of NREM sleep characterized by the presence of predominantly delta waves

REM sleep

a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis

REM Rebound

the phenomenon where the body increases the time spent in REM sleep after a period of REM deprivation

Activation-Synthesis

a theory proposing that dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during REM sleep, which is then interpretd and synthesized by the cerebral cortex into a narrative or story.

Consolidation Theory

a theory suggesting that dreams play a role in the memory consolidation and processing of memories. during sleep, the brain organizes and integrates information acquired throughout the day, contributing to memory storage and learning

Insomnia

a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep, leading to daytime impairment such as fatigue, mood disturbances, and decreased cognitive function.

Narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden episodes of muscle weakness (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations during sleep onset or awakening

Sleep Apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, and other healthy problems

REM sleep behavior disorder

a sleep disorder where individuals physically act out their dreams during REM sleep, potentially causing injury to themselves or others due to loss of muscle paralysis

Somnambulism

a sleep disorder commonly known as sleepwalking, characterized by walking or performing other activities while still asleep. it typically occurs during non REM sleep stages and can result in injuries or accidents.

Psychoactive drugs

substances that alter brain function, leading to changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior

agonists

substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors and mimic their effects, enhancing neural activity

antagnoists

substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors without activating them, blocking the effects of neurotransmitters

reuptake inhibitors

medications that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron, therby increasing the concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft and enhancing neurotransmission

stimulants

drugs that increase neural activity and arousal, leading to heighened alertness, attention, and energy levels

caffeine

a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and some sodas. it acts on the CNS, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine

cocaine

a powerful stimulant derived from the coca plant. it increases neural activity, leading to euphoria, increased energy, and alertness

depressants

drugs that slow down neural activity and bodily functions. they induce relaxation, sedation, and can lower inhibitions

alcohol

depressant drug that slows down neural activity in the CNS. it can impair judgement, coordination, and cognitive functions, leading to relaxation, euphoria, and in higher doses, intoxication.

Hallucinogens

drugs that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often causing hallucinations or profound changes in consciousness

marijuana

psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. it contains THC, which alters mood, perception, and cognition. effects include relaxation, altered perception of time, and heightened sensory experiences

opioids

psychoactive drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain and body, producing pan relief, euphoria, and sedation

heroin

a highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine. it produces intense euphoria, pain relief, and sedation by binding to opioid receptors in the brain.

Tolerance

A condition where increasing amounts of a psychoactive substance are needed to achieve the same effects. it occurs due to the brains adaptation to the drug, leading to reduced sensitivity to its effects over time

Withdrawal

the onset of symptoms when a person stops using a psychoactive substance after prolonged use. symptoms can include physical discomfort, psychological distress, and cravings for the drug.

Addiction

a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. it involves changes in brain structure and function, leading to a loss of control over drug consumption