Higher Cortical Function

Question 1

Where do most inputs to the cortex come from?

Answer 1

• The Thalamus
• Other cortical areas (provides its own input)

Question 2

Where do most of the outputs from the cortex go to?

Answer 2

From pyramidal cells project to widespread areas

Question 3

What is the frontal lobe mainly responsible for?

Answer 3

• Motor - primary motor cortex
• Expression of speech (left hemisphere)
• Behavioural regulation/ judgement
• Cognition (aquiring and understanding knowlege)
• Eye movements
• Continence (upper motor neurones that supply anal/ urethral sphincters)

Question 4

What does alcohol do to the frontal lobe?

Answer 4

Alcohol can inhibit the functions of the frontal lobe (+ cerebellum)

Question 5

What functions is the parietal lobe responsible for?

Answer 5

• Sensory - primary sensory cortex
• Comprehension of speech (left hemisphere)
• Body image (usually right)
• Awareness of external environment (attention)
• Calculation and writing
• Visual pathways project through (superior optic radiations)

Question 6

Explain what is meant by ‘neglect’ and what the pathophysiology of it is?

Answer 6

Lesion to the right side of the parietal lobe → responsible for ‘body image’

Although patient can see things in their left 1/2 space they don’t awknowledge it exists

Question 7

What functions are the temporal lobes responsible for?

Answer 7

• Hearing
• Olfaction
• Memory - temporal lobe epilpesy can get feeling of de ja vú
• Emotion
• Contains geographical maps of your world
• Inferior optic radiations project through

Question 8

What is the left hemisphere of the brain mainly responsible for?

Answer 8

Sequential processing

• Language (correct words in the correct sequence)
• Mathematics/ logic

Question 9

What is the right hemisphere of the brain primarily responsible for?

Answer 9

Whole picture processing

• Body image
• Visupatial awareness
• Emotion
• Music

Question 10

How do the left and right hemispheres of the brain address the left and right halves of space?

What is the clinical consequence of this?

Answer 10

Right hemisphere- attends both halves of space

Left hemisphere -attends only the right half of space

Clinical consequence:

• Left hemisphere damaged, right hemisphere can still address both halves of space
• Right hemisphere damaged, no evaluation of the left half of space → neglect

Question 11

What is the function of the corpus collosum?

Answer 11

Bundle of white matter connecting left + right hemispheres

Transmits information from the left visual field (right hemisphere) to the left hemisphere

Question 12

What is alien hand syndrome?

Answer 12

Phenomenon where one hand is not under the control of the mind

Thought to involve neurosurgery, aneurysm, tumour or strok affecting the corpus callosum

Question 13

Locate:

• Broca’s area
• Wenicke’s area
• Arcuate fasciculus

Answer 13

Broca’s (blue) - inferior lateral frontal lobe

Wernicke’s area (pink) - superior temporal lobe

Arcuate fasciculus (green)

Question 14

What are the functions of Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area and the arcuate fasciculus?

Answer 14

Broca’s area - production of speech

Wernicke’s area - interpretation of language

Arcuate fasciculus - connects Broca’s and Wernicke’s

Question 15

What happens in Wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 15

Difficulty underestanding written and spoken language but no problem producing speech

e.g. will ask a question and answer is complete nonsense

Question 16

What happens in Broca’s aphasia?

Answer 16

The mechanism of producing speech is affected but understanding is not impaired- often get anxiety/ stressed about it

Often talk very slowly

Question 17

What are the 2 broad categories of memory?

Answer 17

Declarative / Explicit - memory of facts

Non- declarative/ implicit - memory of movement and emotion e.g. riding a bike

Question 18

Where is explicit and implicit memory primarily stored?

Answer 18

Explicit - mainly stored in the cerebral hemispheres

Implicit - mainly stores in the cerebellum and basal ganglia

Question 19

How do memories become consolidated?

Answer 19

• Emotional context (e.g. PTSD)
• Rehearsal (repetiton)
• Association

Question 20

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

Answer 20

Consolidation of declarative memories

Takes input from visual system, auditory system, somatosensory, limbic systems

Question 21

Where is the brain is the hippocampus located?

Answer 21

Deep in the temporal lobe

Question 22

How does neuroplasticity affect memory?

Answer 22

Long term potentiation strengthens synaptic connections → memory