Neuropsychology Exam 3

what are the three components of emotion?

behavioral, physiological, experiential

what did Darwin contribute to emotion research?

first systematic study; showed emotions evolved and are not uniquely human

what does the James-Lange theory propose?

Physiological response → emotion. we feel fear because we tremble

what does Cannon-Bard theory propose?

emotion occurs first, then physiological response

what is the Schachter & Singer

emotion = arousal + cognitive interpretation

What is Ekman known for?

six basic facial emotions: fear, anger, disgust, surprise, happiness, sadness

what brain area controls autonomic emotional responses?

hypothalamus

what brain structure generates fear and fear learning?

amygdala, especially the lateral amygdala

who is Patient SM?

bilateral amygdala damage → no fear, cannot recognize fear

what is the orbitofrontal cortex’s role?

using consequences to guide behavior; damaged patients know but don’t apply consequences

what are the major psychiatric disorder categories?

schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders

what are the core positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder

what are the core negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

flat affect, lack of speech, anhedonia, social withdrawal

what is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?

overactive dopamine system → too many receptors or too much DA release

what is the diathesis-stress model?

genetic vulnerability + environmental stress triggers disorder onset

what are the three types of depressive disorders?

reactive, major depressive disorder (unipolar), bipolar

what are hallmark symptoms of major depressive disorder?

low mood, anhedonia, rumination, rumination, guilt, hopelessness; > 2-6 months

what defines bipolar I vs. bipolar II?

Type I: full mania + depression

Type II: hypomania + depression

what neurotransmitter imbalance explains anxiety disorders?

reduced GABA activity (not enough receptors or blocked receptors

what characterizes OCD?

obsessions (persistent thoughts) + compulsions (repetitive behaviors). treated mainly with SSRIs.

what are the six major categories of neurological disorders?

cerebrovascular disorders, TBI, epilepsy, tumors, headache disorders, degenerative CNS diseases

what is a stroke (CVA)?

sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain; can be mild to severe. includes TIAs.

what happens in a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

contusion, hematoma, axonal injury → followed by swelling, excitotoxicity, apoptosis

what is CTE?

neurodegenerative disease from repeated head injuries causing behavioral, mood, and thinking problems

what defines epilepsy?

recurrent seizures caused by abnormal, excessive, hypersynchronous neuronal activity

what are the two major seizure types?

focal (start in one area) and generalized (grand mal or petit mal)

what are key features of grand mal seizures?

tonic phase (stiffening), clonic phase (jerking), postictal confusion

what causes Parkinson’s disease?

death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra; environmental + genetic factors

what is Alzheimer’s disease?

progressive dementia with early memory loss; associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

what are major AD risk factors?

age, genetic risk (APP, APOE4), depression, hypertension

what controls circadian rhythms?

environmental light + internal brain clock (SCN)

what is the function of the SCN?

receives light signals from melanopsin RGCs → entrains circadian rhythms

how does the SCN regulate sleep?

SCN → pineal gland → melatonin release → drowsiness

why do we sleep?

energy conservation, restoration (replenish neurotransmitters), memory consolidation

what defines sleep stages?

EEG frequency patterns: beta, alpha, theta, delta

what characterizes REM Sleep?

brain arousal, dreaming, rapid eye movements, paralysis

why are dreams bizarre?

PFC is inactive during REM → impaired executive control

what are dyssomnias?

sleep disorders involving problems with sleep itself (insomnia, hypersomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea)

what are parasomnias?

unwanted behaviors/events during sleep transitions (sleepwalking, night terrors, REM behavior disorder)

what causes obstructive vs. central sleep apnea?

Obstructive: airway blockage; Central: brainstem respiratory dysfunction