Neuropsychology Flash Card Set

1. Branches and Roles of the Nervous System

1. Central Nervous System (CNS):

   • Structure: Brain and spinal cord.

   • Role: Processes and interprets sensory data, and sends commands. The brain handles higher functions like thinking, memory, and emotions, while the spinal cord handles reflexes and relays signals to and from the brain.

2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):

   • Structure: Nerves outside the CNS (cranial and spinal nerves).

   • Role: Connects the CNS to the rest of the body. It has two branches:

     • Somatic Nervous System (SNS): Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information (e.g., touching a hot stove).

     • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Controls involuntary actions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

3. Autonomic Nervous System Subdivisions:

   • Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates "fight or flight" responses, like increasing heart rate and dilating pupils.

   • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Activates "rest and digest" responses, like slowing the heart rate and promoting digestion.

2. Disorders or Illnesses Affecting the Nervous System

1. Parkinson's Disease:

   • Cause: Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain (specifically in the substantia nigra).

   • Symptoms: Tremors, muscle rigidity, slowed movements, and impaired balance.

   • Impact: Affects motor control and can influence emotional well-being.

2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

   • Cause: Immune system attacks the myelin sheath of neurons.

   • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, vision problems, and coordination issues.

   • Impact: Disrupts communication between the brain and body.

3. Alzheimer's Disease:

   • Cause: Accumulation of plaques and tangles in the brain.

   • Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline.

   • Impact: Primarily affects the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

3. Types of Neurons and Their Roles

1. Sensory Neurons:

   • Role: Transmit information from sensory organs (e.g., skin, eyes) to the CNS.

   • Example: Feeling heat from a flame.

2. Motor Neurons:

   • Role: Send signals from the CNS to muscles or glands to trigger action.

   • Example: Moving your hand away from a flame.

3. Interneurons:

   • Role: Connect sensory and motor neurons within the CNS, enabling reflexes and processing.

   • Example: Processing the sensation of heat and sending a signal to move your hand.

4. Structure and Function of a Neuron

1. Dendrites:

   • Structure: Branch-like projections.

   • Function: Receive signals from other neurons.

2. Axon:

   • Structure: Long, thread-like part of the neuron.

   • Function: Transmits electrical signals from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

3. Myelin Sheath:

   • Structure: Fatty layer that covers the axon.

   • Function: Speeds up signal transmission and protects the axon.

4. Synapse:

   • Structure: The gap between neurons.

   • Function: Transfers signals via neurotransmitters.

5. Different Lobes and Their Functions

1. Frontal Lobe:

   • Role: Decision-making, problem-solving, emotions, and motor control.

2. Parietal Lobe:

   • Role: Processes sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain.

3. Temporal Lobe:

   • Role: Memory, hearing, and language comprehension.

4. Occipital Lobe:

   • Role: Visual processing.

6. Specialized Brain Structures

1. Prefrontal Cortex:

   • Function: Planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

2. Hippocampus:

   • Function: Memory formation and spatial navigation.

3. Amygdala:

   • Function: Processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.

7. Brain Damage Example: Phineas Gage

• Incident: In 1848, a tamping iron damaged Gage's frontal lobe.

• Impact: Drastic personality changes—he became impulsive and aggressive, showing the role of the frontal lobe in personality and decision-making.

8. Neurotransmitters and Hormones

1. Serotonin:

   • Role: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

   • Deficiency: Linked to depression and anxiety.

2. Dopamine:

   • Role: Involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.

   • Deficiency: Linked to Parkinson’s disease and reduced pleasure (anhedonia).

3. Oxytocin:

   • Role: Promotes bonding and trust.

   • Deficiency: Linked to social anxiety and difficulty forming relationships.

9. Mental Illness and Biochemical Deficiencies

• Low Serotonin: Linked to depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

• Low Oxytocin: Associated with social difficulties and certain features of autism.

10. Summary: Symptoms and Biochemical Links in Mental Illness

• Absence or overproduction of neurotransmitters can influence brain communication, leading to symptoms like mood changes, anxiety, or impaired cognition in disorders like depression, schizophrenia, or ADHD.