Anatomy From Now to Eternity

Forebrain

Diencephalon hypothalamus thalamus

Telencephalon limbic system basal ganglia cerebral cortex

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Hypothalamus

Controls autonomic nervous system body temperature circadian rhythms blood pressure

controls the endocrine system hormones produced by hypothalamus

controls pituitary gland controls hormonal release

Hypothalamus

Organizes behaviour related to survival of the species - the so-called four F’s:

•Fighting

•Feeding

•Fleeing

•Mating

Thalamus

Composed of numerous nucleiGateway to the cortex

all sensory info except olfactory controlling general excitability of the

cortex attention/blocking info during sleep

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Limbic System

Hippocampus learning and memory spatial navigation

Amygdala emotional memories classical learning

associating environmental stimuli with emotion (fear)interpreting emotions conveyed by facial expressions

Basal Ganglia

Consists of caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus

input from cerebral cortexproject to motor centers of brainstemplanning and producing movement

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Frontal Lobe

Primary motor cortex contralateral connects to muscles in

different parts of the bodyMotor Association cortex

planning movements* Prefrontal cortex* Dorsolateral cortex* Orbitofrontal cortex

Parietal Lobe

Somatosensory cortex info from skin

touchtemperaturepressurepossibly pain (phantom limb)

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Parietal Lobe

Somatosensory cortex info from skin

touchtemperaturepressurepossibly pain (phantom limb)

posterior parietal lobe visually guided movements hemineglect

Temporal Lobes

Primary auditory cortexauditory comprehension

left hemisphere - language right hemisphere - sounds, melodies,

noises

Occipital Lobes

Primary visual cortexvisual association cortexpathway from visual to parietal cortex

visually guided movementspathway from visual to temporal

cortex object recognition

Cerebral Asymmetry

http://synapses.mcg.edu/anatomy/chemical/sv.htm

Kandel, E. et. al. (2000)

W. W. NortonGazzaniga & Heatherton

(2003)

Synaptic cleft

Axon of Cell #1

(presynaptic)

Dendrite of Cell #2

(postsynaptic)

Genetic Basis Neuronal Action

Acetylcholine Monoamines Amino Acids Peptides

Neurotransmitters Hormones

Genetics and Biological Foundations

Monoamines

“major functions are to regulate states of arousal and affect (feelings) and to motivate behaviour”

four monoamines epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine

& serotonin

Dopamine (DA)

main transmitter of rewardinvolved in motor control and planning may play huge role in addictions

cocaine blocks DA reuptake DA in synaptic cleft for longer therefore, binds with more receptors if in the synaptic cleft for longer, activates

more receptors heightened feeling of pleasure

Serotonin

Emotional statesimpulse controldreaminglow levels

sadness and anxiety agression food cravings

Serotonin

Drugs that block serotonin reuptake (so that serotonin remains in the system for longer) used to treat: depression obsessive-compulsive disorders eating disorders obesity