Neuroscience and Psychopathology: Brain Structure Functions

Contributions to Neuroscience and Psychopathology

Neuroscience: Understanding the Nervous System

Neuroscience focuses on understanding the nervous system, particularly the brain. The Central Nervous System (CNS) processes information received from sensory organs and initiates appropriate reactions. It organizes relevant data, eliminates irrelevant input, checks memory banks for context, and executes the correct response.

Spinal Cord Function

The spinal cord's main function is to facilitate the transmission of messages to and from the brain. The brain utilizes neurons to control thoughts and actions, transmitting information throughout the nervous system.

Neuronal Communication

• The space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another is called the Synaptic Cleft (or Inter-synaptic Space).
• Chemicals released from a nerve cell's axon that transmit the impulse to a receptor on another cell are called neurotransmitters.

Structure of the Brain

Brainstem

This is the lowest and oldest part of the brain, handling almost all essential autonomic functions.

• Metencephalon: Controls autonomous activities such as breathing, heart pumping, and digestion.
• Cerebellum: Controls motor coordination; abnormalities here are associated with autism.
• Mesencephalon: Coordinates movement with sensory input and contains parts of the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which contributes to arousal and tension processes.
• Thalamus and Hypothalamus: Associated with regulating behavior and emotions.

Prosencephalon (Forebrain)

This is the more advanced and evolved part of the brain.

Limbic System

Composed of the hippocampus, corpus callosum, septum, and amygdala. This system helps regulate our emotional experiences and expressions, our ability to learn, and control impulses, including basic sexual instincts, aggression, anger, and thirst.

Basal Ganglia

Composed of structures like the caudate nucleus, these control motor activity.

Cerebral Cortex

This contains over 80% of all CNS neurons and provides our distinctive human qualities.

Hemispheres:

• Left: Primarily processes verbal information.
• Right: Primarily handles perception of the world and image creation.

Lobes:

• Temporal Lobe: Responsible for recognition of different sights and sounds and the storage of long-term memories.
• Parietal Lobe: Responsible for the recognition of various tactile perceptions (touch).
• Occipital Lobe: Integrates and interprets various visual inputs.
• Frontal Lobe: Highly significant; supports most of our thinking, reasoning skills, and memory. It also enables us to relate to the world and others, facilitating social behavior.