Week 1 Clinical Pearls

Amygdala

Part of the brain associated with anxiety and the perception of odors

Hippocampus

Involved in memory and anxiety

Prefrontal cortex

Associated with executive function

Thalamus

Associated with motor command processing

Client cognitive status

can result in an ethical concern if the client is unable to self-determine care or is a danger to self or others

Basal ganglia

Group of structures involved in voluntary motor movements; also involved in cognition and emotion

Limbic system

Associated with emotion and learning

Wernicke’s area

Associated with speech comprehension

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)

Concerned with higher-level functioning

Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC)

Involved with motor inhibition

Inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)

Contains Broca’s area, which is associated with speech production and understanding grammar

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

Involved in decision making and social behavior with a focus on punishment and rewards.

Inhibits and activates the amygdala, and is activated when a risk assessment is required.

Associated: sex, pain, humiliation, money, rewards, fame, aggression

Amygdala identifies a threat, OFC will determine risk/benefit of action based on past experience

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders

20% of the world’s population is currently experiencing a neurological/psychiatric disorder