Brain Science & Anatomy Review

1. Core Philosophical Concepts

• Mind-Body Problem: The fundamental question of how the mind relates to the body.
  • Dualism (Descartes):
  • Proposition that the mind and body are separate entities that interact.
  • Dual-Aspect Theory (Spinoza):
  • Suggests the mind and body are two perspectives of the same underlying reality.
  • Reductionism:
  • Argument that all mental processes can ultimately be explained by physical brain functions.
  • Phlogiston Theory:
  • An early scientific theory that illustrates flawed thinking akin to dualism.

2. Functional Specialization of the Brain

• Broca's Area:
  • Located in the frontal lobe, primarily responsible for speech production.
• Wernicke's Area:
  • Located in the temporal lobe, crucial for speech comprehension.
• Phineas Gage:
  • Case study illustrating personality change following damage to the prefrontal cortex.
• Contralateral Control:
  • Concept that the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

3. Tools in Brain Science

• Reading Techniques:
  • Techniques for observing brain activity include:
  • fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
  • PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
  • EEG (Electroencephalogram)
  • fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy)
  • ECoG (Electrocorticography)
  • SUA (Single Unit Activity)
  • MUA (Multi Unit Activity)
• Writing Techniques:
  • Techniques for modifying brain activity:
  • DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)
  • TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
  • tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation)
  • Optogenetics
• Purpose:
  • These tools are employed to either read or alter brain activity in research and clinical settings.

4. Brain as Information Processor

• Information Flow Model:
  • Input (stimuli) is processed by the brain, leading to output (action).
• Analogy to Computers:
  • The brain functions similarly to a computer comprising input devices, a processor, and output.

5. Nervous System Overview

• Central Nervous System (CNS):
  • Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):
  • Consists of all nerves outside of the CNS.

6. Neurons & Glial Cells

• Neurons:
  • Primary cells that transmit nerve impulses, functioning via spikes that travel from dendrites to the soma and down the axon.
• Glial Cells:
  • Astrocytes: Provide support, nutrition, and cleaning functions.
  • Microglia: Act as the immune defense system for the brain.
  • Oligodendrocytes: Responsible for forming myelin in the CNS.
  • Schwann Cells: Provide myelin in the PNS.

7. Neural Signal Transmission

• Transmission Steps:
  • Stages of action potential include: Resting, Depolarization, Repolarization, Hyperpolarization.
• All-or-None Action Potential:
  • The phenomenon where a neuron either fires an action potential or does not, with no in-between states.
• Neurotransmitters:
  • Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.

8. Brain Tissues & Structures

• Gray Matter:
  • Comprises neuron bodies and synapses, responsible for processing information.
• White Matter:
  • Consists of myelinated axons, facilitating communication between brain regions.
• Ventricles:
  • Fluid-filled spaces in the brain, serving protective functions.

9. Brain Lobes & Functions

• Frontal Lobe:
  • Involved in planning, personality, and voluntary movement.
• Parietal Lobe:
  • Responsible for sensory integration including touch and spatial awareness.
• Temporal Lobe:
  • Associated with hearing, language processing, and memory functions.
• Occipital Lobe:
  • Primarily focused on vision processing.
• Insular Lobe:
  • Involved in taste perception and emotional response.
• Cerebellum:
  • Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
• Brainstem:
  • Controls essential life-support functions like breathing and heart rate.

10. Brain Directions & Slices

• Directional Terms:
  • Rostral: Towards the front
  • Caudal: Towards the back
  • Dorsal: Towards the top
  • Ventral: Towards the bottom
• Brain Slices:
  • Sagittal: Divides brain into left and right
  • Coronal: Divides front and back
  • Horizontal: Divides top and bottom.