APSY-UE 20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Living Brain, Neuroglia, Phenotype

• School: New York University
• Department: Applied Psychology
• Course: APSY-UE 20
• Professor: Adina R Schick

Document Summary

For centuries, there was no way to explore the living brain. Ct (computerized tomography) scan: examines aspects of the brain structure. Mri: produces a high-resolution of the brain structure. Fmri: reveals both the structure and functioning of the brain. Hindbrain: includes two structures found in the lower part of the brain stem. Medulla: attached to the spinal cord, in charge of unconscious but essential functions. Pons: coordinate movements & regulate sleep and arousal. Critical to the coordination of voluntary movement & equilibrium. Damage disrupts fine motor abilities (like writing) All of this happening without our awareness. Concerned w sensory processes & controls many important functions (like visual and auditory system & eye movement) Origin of an important system of dopamine-releasing axons. Running through the hindbrain and the midbrain is the reticular formation. A finger-shaped network of neurons that extends from the spinal cord to the thalamus. Contributes to the modulations of muscle reflexes, breathing, and the perception of pain.