The brain is physical organ that makes all mental life
possible and understanding the neural basis process
can help distinguish between theories relating to how
that process is performed
Methods of studying the
brain
EEG - Recording - Non-invasive - Electrical
Electrodes placed on scalp, represented as large signal of neurons
Averaged together to form ERP - Event related Potential
Voltage fluctuation associated in time with events
Single Cell - Recording - Invasive - Electrical
TMS - Stimulation - non--invasive- Electromagnet
Introduction of virtual lesion by introducing neural noise
Disrupts normal brain activity
MEG - Recording - Non-invasive - Magnetic
PET - Recording - Invasive - Hemodynamic
Uses traces of amount of short lived radioactive material to map function processes
Measures blood flow direct to brain regions
FMRI - Recording - Non-invasive - Hemodynamic
Neuronal activity requiring oxygen and glucose (energy)
Neuronal activity produces changes in blood oxygenation levels
Is noninvasive as FMRI uses contrast between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood levels
MRI is most common which uses differential magnetic properties of types of tissue
DTI – Diffusion Tensor Imaging: visualize connec9ons in the brain (bundles of axons)
Lecture 2
Directions of the nervous system
Top/Back = Dorsal
Belowl/Belly = Ventral
Toward side = Lateral
Front - Anterior/ Back - Posterior
Front - Rostral/ Back = Cordal
Middle = Medial
Same side - Ipsilateral
Opposite side = Contralateral
Bell magedie law
Dorsal carry info TO CNS - Afferent
Ventral carry info AWAY CNS - Afferent
Brain Slices and Planes
Transverse section - coronal - right angle to neuraxis
Sagittal - Perpendicular to ground
Horizontal - Parellel to ground
Basal Ganglia
Cerebral Cortext
Limbic System
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Tectum
Tegenemtum
Cerebral cortex
Pons
Medulla Oblongata
Myencaphalon
Fourth Ventricle
Hindbrain
Metencephalon
Fourth Ventricle
Hindbrain
Mesencephalon
Cerebral aduedat
Midbrain
Diceohaphalon
Third
Forebrain
Bum- Gyrus
Sulci grooves - big = fissure
Telecaphalon
Lateral
Forebrain
Protection of the CNS
Meninges - Dura, Arochnoid & Pia
Pia is the last later which adheres surface of the brain
CSF
Plasma Fluid which the brain floats
Formed in the plexus
Upton 150 ml
Lecture 3
The Neuron
Type of cell that makes up
the nervous system and
supports cognitive and
sensory functions
The information processing
and information transmitting
element
Multipolar, Bipolar and Unipolar
One axon
many
dendrites
One axon and one
dendrite
One axon to soma
and divides branches
to receiving and
sending
Glial cells
Astrocytes - star function, clean debris,
provide nurishment, control chemicals
and store glucose
Oligodendrocytes - myelin
sheath for insulation
Nodes of ranvier - Bare sections of the axon
Lecture 4
Psychopharmacology
Study of effects of drugs on the
nervous system and behaviour
Antagonist - Drug that opposes or
inhibits the effects of a
neurotransmitter on the
postsynaptic cell
Decrease effect
Agonist - increasing effects
that facilitates
neurotransmitter
All other neurotransmitters have a
modulating effect rather than
information transferring
GABA - Inhibitory synapses
in spinal cord
Glutamate - Excitatory
synapses in brain
Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
Transmitter at neuromuscular junction -
motor neurons to muscles
Involved in REM sleeping, dreaming and perceptual learning
An ionotropic ACh receptor stimulated by
nicotine and blocked by curare (paralysis).
Antagonist = Botulinum toxin
Agonist = Black widow spider
Dopamine
Reward system - dysfunctions
shows parkinson disease
Antagonist - Anti-psychotics
Agonist - Cocaine
Serotonin
Regulates sleep, memory, mood etc.
Major role in
depression
LCD - Antagonist
SSRI - Agonist
Norepinephrine
Hormone- flight or fight in
times of stress produces
sudden energy