Brain Science & Anatomy Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.