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CHAPTER 3 - FUNCTIONAL NEUROANATOMY

» Functional Neuroanatomy abstracts

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In order to best understand this atlas it is important to have a sense of the functional neuroanatomy of the brain. Over the next several pages there is a brief summary of the 5 major brain systems that relate to behavior, along with the general location seen on SPECT of these areas.

left side active view

Neuroanatomy of the Limbic System

The Deep Limbic System

side view		side active view
underside surface view		underside active view

Functions

sets the emotional tone of the mind
filters external events through internal states (emotional coloring)
tags events as internally important
stores highly charged emotional memories
modulates motivation
controls appetite and sleep cycles
promotes bonding
directly processes the sense of smell
modulates libido

Problems

moodiness, irritability, clinical depression
increased negative thinking
perceive events in a negative way
decreased motivation
flood of negative emotions
appetite and sleep problems
decreased or increased sexual responsiveness
social isolation

Basal Ganglia Neuroanatomy

The Basal Ganglia System

side view		left side active view
underside surface view		underside active view

Functions

integrates feeling and movement
shifts and smoothes fine motor behavior
suppression of unwanted motor behaviors
sets the body's idle or anxiety level
enhances motivation
pleasure/ecstasy

Problems

anxiety, nervousness
panic attacks
physical sensations of anxiety
tendency to predict the worst
conflict avoidance
Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome/tics
muscle tension, soreness
tremors
fine motor problems
headaches
low or excessive motivation

Prefrontal Cortex Neuroanatomy

The Prefrontal Cortex

dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex outside view		inferior orbital prefrontal cortex outside view
side surface view dorsal lateral prefrontal area		inferior orbital prefrontal area inside view
underside surface view inferior orbital prefrontal area		top-down surface view dorsal lateral prefrontal area

Functions

attention span
perseverance
judgment
impulse control
organization
self-monitoring and supervision
problem solving
critical thinking
forward thinking
learning from experience
ability to feel and express emotions
influences the limbic system
empathy

Problems

short attention span
distractibility
lack of perseverance
impulse control problems
hyperactivity
chronic lateness, poor time management
disorganization
procrastination
unavailability of emotions
misperceptions
poor judgement
trouble learning from experience
short term memory problems
social and test anxiety

Cingulate Gyrus Neuroanatomy

The Cingulate Gyrus

inside side view		side active view
active top-down view		active front-on view

Functions

allows shifting of attention
cognitive flexibility
adaptability
helps the mind move from idea to idea
gives the ability to see options
helps you go with the flow
cooperation

Problems

worrying
holds onto hurts from the past
stuck on thoughts (obsessions)
stuck on behaviors (compulsions)
oppositional behavior, argumentative
uncooperative, tendency to say no
addictive behaviors (alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, chronic pain)
cognitive inflexibility
obsessive compulsive disorder
OCD spectrum disorders
eating disorders, road rage

Temporal Lobe Neuroanatomy

The Temporal Lobes

side view		side surface view
underside surface view		active side view

Functions Dominant Side (usually the left) understanding and processing language intermediate term memory long term memory auditory learning retrieval of words complex memories visual and auditory processing emotional stability	Problems Dominant Temporal Lobe aggression, internally or externally driven dark or violent thoughts sensitivity to slights, mild paranoia word finding problems auditory processing problems reading difficulties emotional instability
Non-dominant Side (usually the right) recognizing facial expression decoding vocal intonation rhythm music visual learning	Non-dominant Side (usually the right) difficulty recognizing facial expression difficulty decoding vocal intonation implicated in social skill struggles
Either/Both Temporal Lobe Problems memory problems, amnesia headaches or abdominal pain without a clear explanation anxiety or fear for no particular reason abnormal sensory perceptions, visual or auditory distortions feelings of déjà vu or jamais vu periods of spaciness or confusion religious or moral preoccupation hypergraphia, excessive writing seizures

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