FUNCTIONS OF BRAIN PARTS
- AMYGDALA: memory, emotion, aggression
- HYPOTHALAMUS: basic biological functions (hunger thirst, temperature, sexual arousal, emotion
- MEDULLA: vital functions (breathing, heart rate)
- CEREBELLUM: coordinated movement, language, thinking
- THALAMUS: switching station for sensory info; memory
- SPINAL CORD: transmits signals between brain & rest of body
CORTICAL HOMUNCULUS (Sensory & Motor)
- picture representation of the anatomical divisions of primary motor & primary somatosensory cortex
- “distortion” not based on size of body part greater representation = greater sensitivity
- areas have to do with motor neurons

DORSAL

ANTERIOR -------(< ‘ )-------POSTERIOR
(ROSTRAL) (CAUDAL) VENTRAL

LATERAL

-------- < : )8( MEDIAL )~ --------

LATERAL

METHODS OF LOCALIZATION
- assign specific functions to particular places in the cerebral cortex
- LESION STUDIES: any pathologic or traumatic discontinuity of brain tissue
- SURGERY: Wada Test (anesthetize one hem), Tumor Removal, Split Brain
- INFERENCE STUDIES (talk while balancing broom)
- FUNCTIONAL IMAGING - PET (positron emission tomography): track blood flow associated w/ brain activity; used to assess physiology, including glucose & oxygen metabolism, and presence of specific neurotransmitters - SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography): measure blood; takes 2 days to eliminate radioactive tracer - MRI: visual imaging; most detailed brain structures; good spatial resolution & images in short time periods - MEG: 3D magnetic field can be calculated; expensive, not readily available for clinical applications
DOUBLE DISSOCIATION
- if you damage A, you lose X but not Y
- if you damage B, you