NEUROSCIENCE DISORDERS

global amnesia

sudden, temporary interruption of short term memory

mainly affects the hippocampus; can also affect medial temporal lobe, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala

dense amnesia

severe memory loss that affects formation of new memories and loss of past memories

brain damage to medial temporal lobe

Korsakof’s syndrome

severe disorder characterized by memory problems, specifically the inability to form new memories and recall pass events; associated with chronic alcohol misuse

damage to thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebellum

dissociative amnesia (fugue)

condition where person experiences memory loss often due to severe trauma, involves unexpected travel, sometimes adopting a new identity

regions affected include prefrontal cortex, temporal lobe, limbic system

topographic disorientation

condition where individual has difficulty navigating and orienting themselves in their environment due to spatial memory problems

damage to hippocampus

hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of body often causes by injury or stroke

brain damage is located OPPOSITE of affected side; motor cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus

anarchic or alien hand syndrome

condition involving involuntary movements of limb that individual does not consciously control; limb not belonging to self

linked to damage or lesions in frontal love, corpus callosum, posterior parietal cortex

frontal apraxia

condition affecting execution of movements, difficulty initiating and coordinating movements, struggle to perform movements on command; problem with DOING movement correctly

damage to premotor cortex, frontal lobe area

posterior/ideomotor apraxia

inability to produce appropriate gestures given an object, word, or command

damage to left inferior parietal lobe

anterior apraxia

damage to frontal lobe, premotor cortex

phantom limb

sensation that limb is still present and sometimes painful in amputees

damage to lateral PFC

difficulties with attention, memory, decision-making, and the regulation of emotions and behavior

akinetic mutism

condition characterized by a lack of spontaneous movement and speech. Individuals appear awake with open eyes and the ability to track objects with their gaze but cannot initiate voluntary movement or speech

damage to frontal lobes, thalamus, cingulate gyrus

acquired sociopathy

refers to people who exhibited symptoms of condition only after brain injury; symptoms include failure to conform to social norms, irritability, impulsivity, aggressiveness

Parkinson’s disease

disease associated with the basal ganglia and characterized by a lack of self initiated movement;

Huntington’s disease

genetic disorder affecting basal ganglia and associated with excessive movement

Tourette’s syndrome

neuropsychiatric disorder with an onset in childhood characterized by presence of motor and/or vocal tics

affected areas include basal ganglia, frontal lobes, cortex

obsessive compulsive disorder

anxiety disorder characterized by repetitive thoughts and/or actions

affected areas include orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and the basal ganglia

cerebellar damage

injury or impairment of cerebellum which is crucial for motor control, balance, and coordination

amygdala damage

injury or dysfunction of amygdala, crucial for processing emotions like fear and aggression

autism

abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication, restricted repertoire of activities and interests

Capgras syndrome

people report that their acquaintances have been replaced by “body doubles”