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When you “change the way you think,� you are literally changing physical structures and processes in the brain. 2
Changing the brain can change essential aspects of who we are, how we think, and what we do.
You are what your brain does.
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Tommy McHugh: From violent heroin addict to accomplished artist
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“…fairy liquid bubbles of intelligence….popping around me all the time.”
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Chapter 2
NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIOR
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Nervous System Neuroscience …study of the body’s electrochemical communication circuitry Characteristics of the nervous system – Complexity – Adaptability (Plasticity)
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Nervous System à Cells Neurons – information processing – about 100 billion in brain
Glial Cells – provide structural support, insulation & nutrition – make up myelin sheath
Axons Part of the neuron that carries info away from the cell body toward other cells
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Synaptic Gap
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Synapse/Synaptic Gap •
space between sending axon’s terminal buttons and the receiving dendrite
Synaptic Transmission • •
axon vesicle releases neurotransmitter into gap dendrite receptor site detects neurotransmitter
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Š 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Neurotransmitters carry information across the synaptic gap to the next neuron
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Acetylcholine
(Ach)
à muscle actions,
learning, memory • black widow venom ↑ Ach levels • botox (botulin) ↓ Ach levels • Alzheimer’s disease: ↓ Ach levels
GABA à Inhibiting neurons from firing • anxiety: ↓ GABA levels
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Glutamate à Excites neurons to fire – learning & memory – involved in many psychological disorders
Norepinephrine à Stress stimulates the release of this, excites the heart, intestines, urogenital tract – stress and mania: ↑ norepinephrine levels – depression: ↓ norepinephrine levels – regulates sleep states in conjunction with ACh
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Dopamine à Helps control voluntary movement, affects sleep, mood, attention, learning, ability to recognize opportunities for rewarding experiences in the env – stimulant drugs: activate dopamine receptors – Parkinson’s disease: ↓ dopamine levels – schizophrenia: ↑ dopamine levels
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Serotonin à Regulation of sleep, mood, attention, learning, teams up with Acetylcholine & Norepinephrine – depression: ↓ serotonin levels – prozac: ↑ serotonin levels
Endorphins à Natural opiates, depress nervous system activity & eliminate pain – mediate feelings of pleasure and pain
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Oxytocin à Both a hormone and a neurotransmitter, Love & Bonding – new mothers – related to attachment/emotional bonds
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COMMONWEALTH vs. DAVID GARABEDIAN. 399 Mass. 304 September 10, 1986 - February 25, 1987 Middlesex County
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Brain Structures and Function
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Brain Lesioning – naturally occurring or induced
Operant Chamber OMG! WTF?!
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Hindbrain Medulla • control breathing, regulate reflexes, upright posture Cerebellum • Coordinating motor behavior Pons • Sleep & arousal
Midbrain Substantia Nigra • Parkinson disease Reticular Formation • stereotyped behavior patterns like walking, sleeping, attending to sudden noise © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Forebrain Limbic System (4 F’s) • Feeding • Fighting • Fleeing • Sexual Activity
Surrounded by the cortex Seat of emotions
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Amygdala (limbic) Sexuality, appetite, aggression Lesion à Increase in appetite & sexuality & decrease in aggression Charles Whitman
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Š 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Š 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Hippocampus (limbic) Role in memory storage STM à LTM damage?
Hypothalmus (forebrain) Feeding, drinking, sex regulates internal states Stimulate = pleasure
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Hemispheres of the Cortex Specialization of Function Left verbal processing, speech, grammar – Broca’s Area
Right spatial perception, visual recognition, emotion
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Split-Brain Research Corpus Callosum (80 million axons) Large bundle of axons that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
done @ 1st to cure epilepsy
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Brandi Binder right side of cerebral cortex = music, math, art
31 “Even though I only have half of a brain, I am still a whole person”
Damage and Plasticity Repairs à Plasticity (3 forms) • substitution of function • collateral sprouting • neurogensis
Recovery depends on • age of the individual • extent of the damage
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Š 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.