Memory and Cognition Exam 1

What is Neuropsychology?

Relation between brain and behavior (Brain —> symptoms)

What are the 6 broad referral questions?

1. Diagnostics --> does someone meet the criteria for a disease?

2. Neuropsych status --> severity of deficits

3. Treatment planning --> eligibility for surgery

4. Effects of treatment

5. Research (med trials)

6. Forensic (capacity)

What is arousal?

Orientation to person/place/time

What is attention?

Ability to focus towards information

What is processing speed?

Ability to process info quickly

What is language?

Expression/reception of info (verbal, written, signed, etc.)

What is the function of Acetylcholine?

Memory
- Also involved in movement

- Implicated in Alzheimer's

What is the function of GABA?

Inhibition, anxiety reduction
- Two sides of the same coin with glutamate

What is the function of Dopamine?

Pleasure
- Also involved in movement

- Implicated in Parkinson's

What is the function of Norepinephrine?

Stress

What is the function of Oxytocin?

Social bonding

What is the function of Glutamate?

Excitation
- Two sides of the same coin with GABA

What is the function of Serotonin?

Mood

- Implicated in major depressive disorder

What comprises the Central Nervous System?

Brain
Spinal cord

What comprises the Peripheral Nervous System?

Autonomic NS
Somatic NS

What comprises the Autonomic NS?

Sympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS

What is the purpose of the Sympathetic NS (primary role + 5 functions)?

Arousal (gas pedal); primary role is survival
- Increased cortisol and heart rate
- Push of adrenaline and glucose
- Decreased digestion
- Pupil dilation
- Bladder release

What is the purpose of the Parasympathetic NS (main characteristic + 5 functions)?

Calming (brake pedal); generally more active than sympathetic NS
- Decreased cortisol and heart rate
- Decreased adrenaline and glucose
- Increased digestion
- No pupil dilation
- Bladder control

What do interneurons do?

- Communicate internally
- Act as a "failsafe" (ex. pulls hand away from hot pan)

How many interneurons does one have, as opposed to motor and sensory neurons?

Interneurons: a few billion
Motor and Sensory: a few million each

Visuospacial (def)

Understanding of where you are in space (ex. driving)

What is memory?

Input, storage, and recall of info (primarily visual and verbal)

What is Executive Function (+ 4 aspects)?

Higher order of cognition
- Self-monitoring, planning, organization, inhibition

What are the Maintenance neuroglia, and what do they do (3 tasks)?

Astrocytes
- Repair neurons
- Regulate pH and ion levels
- Help store nutrients and materials

What are the IT neuroglia, and what do they do (2 tasks)?

Oligodendrocytes
- Install and maintain myelin sheath on axons in the CNS ONLY (PNS equivalent --> Schwann cells)
- Immune function

What are the Security neuroglia, and what do they do (3 tasks)?

Microglia
- Protection (involved in immune response)
- Clear debris and waste
- Will try to repair damage

What are the Fluid Management neuroglia, and what do they do (2 tasks)?

Ependymal cells
- Create Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); CSF provides nutrients, clears waste, cushions brain
- Maintain CSF and manage flow

What is perseveration?

Frontal lobe does not let task go; found in patients with frontal lobe damage

What is the corpus callosum?

The "bridge" that enables communication between the left and right hemispheres

What does the myelin sheath do?

Increases transmission speed

Steps of neuronal processes (8)

1. Info/NTs come in from another neuron'

2. Info/NTs are received by a dendrite

3. Info will go to the cell body, then nucleus (where significance is determined)

4. Action potential —> NTs sent through axon

5. NTs end up on axon terminal

6. NTs are placed in vesicles

7. NTs are sent across the synaptic gap to next neuron

8. NTs end up in post-synaptic receptor, some will be returned (reuptake)