neurophysiological psychology chapter eleven

immune system

cells that protect against viruses, bacteria, + other intruders

leukocytes

most important player in immune system; patrol blood + body fluids for viruses + bacteria

*WBC

types of leukocytes

• B-cells

• T-cells

• natural killer cells

• macrophage

B-cells

mature in bone marrow; secrete antibodies (y-shaped proteins that attach to particular antigens)

*attach + attack

**type WBC

antibodies

y-shaped proteins that attach to particular antigens

antigens

surface proteins; as unique as fingerprints

T-cells

mature in thymus gland (but made in the bone marrow); attack intruders directly w/o secreting antibodies

*types: cytotoxic + helper

**type WBC

two types of T-cells

• cytotoxic t-cells

• helper t-cells

cytotoxic t-cells

attack directly w/o secreting antibodies

helper t-cells

help T-cells or other B-cells multiply

natural killer cells

blood cells that attack tumor cells + cells infected by viruses; attack ALL intruders

*type WBC

macrophage

surround bacteria or other intruders + digest it; engulf + destroy target cells, initiating an immune response where the immune system tells the brain that the body is ill by way of cytokines

*cover + consume

**type WBC

cytokines

chemicals released by immune system that attack infections + communicate w/ brain to elicit anti-illness behavior: stimulate vagus nerve, triggering release of prostaglandins which cross BBB and stimulate the hippocampus + the hypothalamus to produce anti-illness behavior

how do cytokines produce anti-illness behavior?

stimulate vagus nerve »» trigger release of prostaglandins »» cross BBB »» stimulates hippocampus AND hypothalamus »» produce anti-illness behavior

anti-illness behavior

fever, lack of energy, sleepiness, lack of appetite, loss of sex drive (useful ways to conserve energy)

ibuprofen/aspirin

decrease fever + other signs of illness by inhibiting prostaglandins

psychoneuroimmunology

studies the effects of stress on immune system; prolonged stress produces sx similar to depression + weakens the immune system

our emotions are a ______ not a _____.

gauge; guide

emotions

• cognitions

• feelings

• actions

*limbic system

Extreme ______ or lack of ______ can impair functioning.

emotions; emotions

autonomic nervous system

composed of sympathetic + parasympathetic nervous systems

parasympathetic nervous system

• calming

• rest/digest

• ACh

sympathetic nervous system

• arousal

• fight/flight/freeze

• NE

fear vs anxiety

fear

• temporary experience

• present-oriented

anxiety

• longer-lasting

• future-oriented

amygdala

involved in fear + anxiety; enhances the startle reflex

panic disorder

occasional attacks of

• intense fear

• impending doom

• feelings of suffocation

• increased HR

• increased shallow breathing

• dizzy

• fatigue

• sweating

• fear of dying

PTSD

these individuals may have a smaller hippocampus + lower levels of cortisol (surprising)

sx

• flashbacks

• nightmares

• avoidance of reminders

• startle reflex (exaggerated arousal to stimuli/noises)

Rx

• barbiturates

• SSRIs

• benzodiazepines

• anxiolytics (anti-anxiety meds)

tx

CBT - can help break cycle of panic, learn to relax, put tools in toolbox

• breathing exercises

• grounding exercises

• muscle relaxation

hyperventilation sequence

hyperventilation »» decreased CO2 + phosphate in the blood »» decreased activity in vagus nerve »» controls the heart

barbiturates

(tranquilizers)

*not used often bc they’re habit forming + can be fatal in O/D esp when combined w/ alcohol

what causes the lower levels of cortisol in pts w/ PTSD?

blunted cortisol is attributed to progressive sensitization of HPA axis

benzodiazepines

tranquilizer

• Xanax

• Librium

• Valium

three theories of emotion

• James-Lange

• Cannon-Bard

• Schachter-Singer

james-lange theory of emotion

physiological response comes BEFORE the emotion

cannon-bard theory of emotion

physiological response + emotions occur SIMULTANEOUSLY

schachter-singer

COGNITIVE APPRAISAL is necessary to identify the emotion

serendipity

stumbling upon something (unexpected) positive/interesting

aggression

• injures or harms others

• amygdala - controls aggressive behavior

• impulsive aggression: low levels SE (depression linked w/ decreased SE) + high levels testosterone (males 15-25)

stress as defined by Hans Selye

not specific response of body to any demand upon it

psychosomatic

onset of illness which is influenced by one’s mind, emotions, + experiences

stress + HPA axis

HPA - hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex

stress activates SNS (faster)

stress activates HPA (slower)

stress activation of HPA

hypothalamus »» pituitary gland »» adrenocorticotropic hormone »» adrenal cortex »» cortisol »» enhances metabolism »» increases blood sugar, increases alertness

cortisol

stress hormone

1. brief or moderate stress improves attention + memory formation

2. improves performance on simple or well-learned tasks

3. impairs performance on complex tasks that require flexible thinking

4. brief stress enhances activity of immune system helping fight illness

5. prolonged stress impairs activity of immune system, memory, learning

general adaptation theory

1. alarm (3 main hormones: epi, cortisol, aldosterone)

2. resistance

3. exhaustion

alarm stage

adrenal glands release epi »» stimulates SNS »» adrenaline/cortisol »» increased blood glucose (energy) + increased aldosterone (blood salt + blood volume maintenance)

exhaustion stage

very tired, vulnerable to illness (physical + mental)

resistance stage

SNS response, but adrenal glands continue secreting cortisol »» enabling prolonged alertness