... The Brain and Behavior Essay The human brain is a very multifaceted and sophisticated organ. Understanding the function of the brain is often very limited to the understanding of the brains areas or regions with regard to how these areas respond to stimuli or how it responds to damage. Much of the understanding of the brain is embedded in observation of damaged brains and their association of impaired function with specific areas of damage. Modern technologies have begun to change this trend because of machines such as the Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) that allows scientist to observe brain function with the invasiveness of surgery. This technology has provided not just insights into neuroscience but also into psychology as brain functions can now be correlated better with behavior and heredity. One can see this insight when examining specific areas of the brain such as the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. The MRI lets the scientist get an in depth look at the brain in slices of an image to better interpret how the brain works. The cerebral cortex is “a large, extremely wrinkled sheet of neurons, or nerve cells, on the surface of the brain’s two hemispheres”. These are defined as the right and left hemispheres and make up the largest volume in the brain. The cerebral cortex controls all sensation, thought, comprehension, higher cognition, ideas, language, memory and emotion (Pinel, 2011). The hemispheres consist of four lobes, with each performing...
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...accessible when needed. The memory portion of the brain allows us to furnish our mind with emotions, knowledge and thoughts that aids in accomplishing everyday tasks. Memory contributes to the ability of recalling events, connecting one point to another, and incorporates the world of the implicit. In other words, memory has the ability to guide the mind through effortless tasks without being consciously aware. For example, a person does not need to recall every motion in riding a bike after the process is already learned. However, memory may be affected by amnesia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of memory and brain structures involved with anterograde and retrograde amnesia Amnesia is a condition that involves partial or complete loss of memory. The severity of memory loss is determined by which part of the brain was affected. Major brain structures involved with memory are the hippocampus and the temporal lobes. The hippocampus is a structure within the brain and part of the limbic system. This structure significantly contributes to memory, and may be related to processing information and the formation of recent memories. According to Kim and Fanselow (1992), damage to the hippocampus results in the impairment of recent memories, but not remote A study conducted by Kim and Fanselow (1992) found damage to the hippocampus involves the impairment of recent memories, but not remote memories. Additionally, the temporal lobe is responsible for retrieving and storing memories...
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...neurological disease I decided on temporal lobe epilepsy. The features of seizures beginning in the temporal lobe can be extremely varied, but certain patterns are common. There may be a mixture of different feelings, emotions, thoughts, and experiences, which may be familiar or completely foreign. In some cases, a series of old memories resurfaces. In others, the person may feel as if everything—including home and family—appears strange. Hallucinations of voices, music, people, smells, or tastes may occur. These features are called “auras” or “warnings.” They may last for just a few seconds, or may continue as long as a minute or two. Experiences during temporal lobe seizures vary in intensity and quality. Sometimes the seizures are so mild that the person barely notices. In other cases, the person may be consumed with fright, intellectual fascination, or even pleasure. The experiences and sensations that accompany these seizures are often impossible to describe, even for the most eloquent adult. And of course it is even more difficult to get an accurate picture of what people are feeling. The overall prognosis for patients with drug resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy includes a higher risk for memory and mood difficulties. This in turn leads to impairments in quality of life and an increased risk for death, as observed in patients who have frequent seizures failing to respond to treatment. Conditions often associated with temporal lobe epilepsy include head trauma with...
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...The human brain is a specialized organ that is ultimately responsible for all thought and movement that the body produces. This allows humans to interact with their environment by communicating with others and interacting with inanimate objects near their positions. If the brain is not functioning properly, the ability to move, generate accurate sensory information or speak and understand language can be damaged as well. The human brain is interconnected however, three major components an be identified; the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. Parts of the brain: Cerebrum: the cerebrum, also known as the forebrain, is the largest portion of the brain, making up 75% of the brain by volume and 85% by weight, and it contains tools responsible for most of the brains function. It is divided into four sections: the temporal lobe, the occipital lobe, parietal lobe, and the frontal lobe. The cerebrum is further divided into a right and left hemisphere. • Frontal Lobe: the frontal lobe is one of the four lobes in the cerebral hemisphere. This lobe controls several elements including creative thought, problem solving, intellect, judgment, behavior, attention, abstract thinking, physical reactions, muscle movements, coordinated movements, smell, and personality. • Parietal Lobe: the parietal lobe is located in the cerebral hemisphere, which focuses on comprehension. Visual functions, language, reading, internal stimuli, tactile sensation, and sensory comprehension are monitored...
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...Lecture 6 70% = lecture 30% = book Medial temporal lobe/medial temporal cortex Divided into two parts = cortex and subcortex Cortex • Perirhinal cortex o Peri means next to or surrounding o Colatoral sulcus = humans. Rinal sulcus = rats • Enorhinal cortex • Parahippocampal cortex o Para = next to. Thus next to hippocampus Subcortical • Hipocampus • Amygdala In textbooks etc. they sometimes use the more general term vs. specific i.e. say medial temporal cortex when they mean perirhinal cortex. Medial diencephalon • Thalamus • Hypothalamus Sense of smell goes to parahippocampal and enorhinal cortex Wilder Penfield To do experiment = only remove a little bit of a tissue. Permanent window = remove bone forever. Or bone flaps, cut 3 sides and crack a hinge so that they can see under. Tissue is already damaged Bone has an arterial structure in it. Arrest response = stopping response = then you know you want to stay away from this area, i.e. when the patient stops talking etc. Stimulating parts of the brain: 1/3 sensory reports 1/3 dejavu like experiences 1/3 actual memories you can stimulate any part of the cortex and evoke a memory. Also makes a difference of where it was Area especially rich for evoking memories was in the temporal lobe This is also where epileptic fits happened in many people. Where neurons fired rapidly and incoherently. Then eventually starts spreading. Locus/loci spontaneously causing epileptic fits Drugs...
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...Epilepsy can be defined as a condition cause by recurring seizures. Seizures can be triggered by irregular electrical impulses amongst the neurones (nerve cell) in the brain. (IrishHealthPro, 2006) Epilepsy is a neurological and physical condition, which can affect both children and adults. Patients that suffer from epilepsy usually tend to have comorbidities that are in some way linked to neurological disorders or psychiatric condition amongst other conditions such as cancer and heart disease. (Christensen, Vestergaard, Pedersen, Pedersen, Olsen, Sidenius, 2007) The diagnosis of epilepsy occurs when a patient has suffered one or more seizures. A vital part of diagnosing a patient with epilepsy is accumulating a vivid description of how the...
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...The Neuroscience on the Web Series: CMSD 620 Neuroanatomy of Speech, Swallowing and Language CSU, Chico, Patrick McCaffrey, Ph.D. | | Chapter 4 Cerebral Lobes, Cerebral Cortex, and Brodmann's Areas | | The Cerebral LobesEach cerebral hemisphere is divided into four lobes; the frontal, parietal, temporal, and the occipital.The Frontal Lobe is the most anterior lobe of the brain. Its posterior boundary is the fissure of Rolando, or central sulcus, which separates it from the parietal lobe. Inferiorly, it is divided from the temporal lobe by thefissure of Sylvius which is also called the lateral fissure.This lobe deals with with higher level cognitive functions like reasoning and judgment. Sometimes called executive function, it is associated with the pre-frontal cortex. Most importantly the frontal lobe contains several cortical areas involved in the control of voluntary muscle movement, including those necessary for the production of speech and swallowing.Broca's Area is found on the inferior third frontal gyrus in the hemisphere that is dominant for language. This area is involved in the coordination or programming of motor movements for the production of speech sounds. While it is essential for the execution of the motor movements involved in speech it does not directly cause movement to occur. The firing of neurons here does not generate impulses for motor movement instead it generates motor programming pattern. This motor plan is sent to upper motor neurons in...
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...The auras that appear in epilepsy consist of sensory experiences, such as smells, sounds, visual images or physical sensations that foreshadows a seizure. However, auras that occur in the temporal lobes generally tend to elicit a more intense, sometimes spiritual experience. In his novel, Kean reasons that temporal lobe auras differ from other auras because neighboring structures of the limbic system may become stimulated, causing this profound, sometimes divine experience. 2. What important role did Dr. Wilder Penfield (a Canadian, by the way) play in developing our understanding of the brain, and how was his work different from those who explored this area before him? Penfield created a ‘map’ of the brain by stimulating the brain in certain areas, observing the physical response, asking the patient how they felt, and marking this area of the brain while Penfield’s secretary documented the patient’s...
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...Seizures/Epilepsy Epilepsy occurs as a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells communicate by sending electrical signals in an orderly pattern. In epilepsy, these electrical signals become abnormal, giving rise to an "electrical storm" that produces seizures. These storms may be within a specific part of the brain or may be generalized, depending on the type of epilepsy. Epilepsy is the oldest-known brain disorder; in the early ages people did not understand the causes, people often thought that it was a demon possession. It was not until the late 1880s that the disease was correctly identified. Dr. John Jackson, a famous English neurologist, was the first person to correctly determine the characteristics of epilepsy. (EHow) Epilepsy in America is growing, is it that more people are having seizures, or diagnosis is just getting better? 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. An estimated 3 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy. Each year at least 200,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy. In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown. Doctors still can't find why people have epilepsy, some doctors believe that it is not hereditary but many do. In most cases, about 8 out of 10 people their epilepsy is unknown. This is because epilepsy runs in many families and seems to be passed down generation by generation. Although some doctors believe epilepsy is not hereditary...
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...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...
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...Effect of Glioblastoma Multiform(GBM) The effect of glioblastoma multiform is depending on the location of the tumor. If the tumor is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, the patient may have difficulty in decision making and problem solving. They cannot think of every possible solution to that particular problem. Moreover, if the tumor is at the left hemisphere of the brain, it may affect the patient’s language skills or verbal memory and logical thinking while on the right hemisphere will affect the visual-spatial intelligence. Effects of radiation therapy on children’s cognitions. Children’s cognitions may affect after they underwent the therapy for glioblastoma. Some of the therapies are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation...
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...The way the cerebral cortex is organized is through different regions that receive and analyze the sensory information. The first is the primary visual cortex, also called the striate cortex, which receives the visual information. The primary visual cortex is located in the back of the brain in the occipital lobe. Then there is the primary auditory cortex which receives the auditory information. This cortex is located in a fissure (a major grove in the surface of the brain) that’s on the said of the brain or in the temporal lobe. Next is the somatosensory cortex which is responsible for receiving the information from the body senses. This cortex is a vertical strip in the brain that is located in the parietal lobe of the brain. Last is the...
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...Biopsychology The brain is the control centre for the body and it sits in the skull at the top of the spinal chord. The brain is so complex that doctors and scientists still don’t know what some parts do. The brain is made up of different sections consisting of the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes. Memory Part of the brain that is responsible for memory is also known as the hippocampus, it is located within the temporal lobes, adjacent to the amygdale. The hippocampus is involved in memory forming, organizing and storing information. It is particularly important in storing new memories and connecting emotions and senses, such as smell and sound to, memories. A case study of H.M. (1953) highlights how important the function of the hippocampus is. H.M. was a man who suffered from epilepsy who had surgery to remove the hippocampus to prevent his severe symptoms. After his operation he suffered from major memory loss, which then went on to cause an inability to transfer new information into his long term memory. This resulted in the realisation that the removal of the hippocampus can have detrimental effects on the brains memory. Language and speech The Boca’s area is one of the main areas of the brain which is responsible for producing language. It is located in the lower portion of the left frontal lobe and was discovered by French neurosurgeon Paul Broca .He realised that people who had language difficulties often had damage to this area of the brain. This part of...
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...Epilepsy is often specifies as “recurrent self-sustained paroxysmal disorders of brain function characterized by excessive discharge of cerebral neurons” (Purpura 1972). According to the World Health Organisation, epilepsy is the most relevant neurolopathology, with the epidemiology area of over 50 million and incidence of 2.4 million per year (Lévesque and Avoli 2013). Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most prevalent form of medical refractory symptomatic epilepsy disease (Engel 2001). Although any region of the brain can serve as a seizure focus, the temporal lobe is the most epileptogenic region. Patients with TLE typically show hippocampal sclerosis (HS), characterized by both selective neuronal atrophy, astrogliosis in the amygdala,...
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...Radiologists use an array of imaging techniques which include: • Conventional radiography (X-ray) • Ultrasound • Computerized Tomography • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Interventional Radiology • Radiation Therapy The acquisition of medical imaging is usually carried out by the radiographer or radiologic technologist. The radiologist then interprets or "reads" the images and produces a report of their findings and impression or diagnosis. Central Nervous System The nervous system is organized into two parts: the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body. In the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord are the main centres where communication of nervous information occur. Both the brain and spinal cord are covered with a system of membranes, called meninges and are suspended in the cerebrospinal fluid; they are further protected by the bones of the skull and the vertebral column. The central nervous system is composed of large numbers of excitable nerve cells and their processes, called neurons, which are supported by specialized tissue called neuroglia. The long processes of a nerve cell are called axons or nerve fibres. The interior of the central nervous system is organized into gray and white matter. Gray matter consists of nerve cells embedded in neuroglia; it has a gray color. White...
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