Cognitive Neuroscience: Brain Regions

Cognitive Neuroscience

• This is the study of how cognition happens in the brain, focusing on the neural processes behind thoughts, memory, attention, and perception.

Regions of the Brain (Forebrain)

• Located at the top/front of the brain
• Responsible for processing sensory information, higher-level thinking, language, and motor functions.
• Diencephalon: Includes the thalamus and hypothalamus
• Telencephalon: Contains the cerebral cortex and limbic system.
• Limbic System: Controls emotion, motivation, memory, and learning.
  • Amygdala: Processes emotions like fear and anger
  • Hippocampus: Important for forming memories, especially spatial memories.
  • Hypothalamus: Regulates behaviors like feeding, mating, and stress responses.
• Thalamus: A relay station for sensory information.

Regions of the Brain (Midbrain)

• Located within the brainstem
• Controls eye movements and processes auditory and visual information

Reticular Activating System

• Controls consciousness, attention, and cardiorespiratory function.

Regions of the Brain (Hindbrain)

• Located at the back/base of the brain
• Coordinates vital functions: breathing and motor activity.
• Cerebellum: Controls balance, coordination, and muscle tone.
• Pons: Involved in sleep and arousal.
• Medulla Oblongata: Manages cardiorespiratory function and reflex actions.

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

• Frontal Lobe: Associated with motor processing, problem-solving, planning, and judgment.
• Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory input like touch, pain, and spatial relationships.
• Temporal Lobe: Responsible for auditory processing and language comprehension.
• Occipital Lobe: Processes visual information.

Neuron Structure

• Basic unit of the nervous system: transmits signals via electrical and chemical processes.
• Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and provides nourishment to the neuron.
• Dendrites: Branch-like extensions that receive incoming signals.
• Axon: Long fiber that transmits signals to other neurons or muscles.
• Myelin Sheath: Insulating layer that speeds up signal transmission.
• Synaptic Terminals (Buttons): Contain neurotransmitters for communication.

Nerve Impulse Transmission

• Resting Potential: Neuron's stable, negative charge (-70mV) at rest.
• Graded Potential: Initial, localized electrical signals generated by stimulation.
• Action Potential: An all-or-nothing response transmitting the nerve impulse.
• Communication Between Neurons occurs at the synapse, where neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft to bind with receptors on the next neuron.

Neurotransmitters (Types and Function)

• Dopamine: Involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.
• Serotonin: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
• Acetylcholine: Critical for muscle action, memory, and learning.
• Norepinephrine: Enhances alertness and focus.
• GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural excitability.
• Glutamate: Excitatory neurotransmitter that is critical for learning and memory.
• Parietal-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT): Highlights the interconnected regions, including the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes, important for determining intelligence.