Images of Functional Neuroanatomy
Table of Contents
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.
Neuroanatomy of the Limbic System
The Deep Limbic System
side view
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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
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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
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Basal Ganglia Neuroanatomy
The Basal Ganglia System
side view
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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
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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
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Prefrontal Cortex Neuroanatomy
The Prefrontal Cortex
dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex
outside view
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inferior orbital prefrontal cortex
outside view
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inferior orbital prefrontal area
inside view
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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
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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
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Cingulate Gyrus Neuroanatomy
The Cingulate Gyrus
inside side view
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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
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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
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Temporal Lobe Neuroanatomy
The Temporal Lobes
side view
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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
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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
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Non-dominant Side (usually the right)
- recognizing facial expression
- decoding vocal intonation
- rhythm
- music
- visual learning
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Non-dominant Side (usually the right)
- difficulty recognizing facial expression
- difficulty decoding vocal intonation
- implicated in social skill struggles
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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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Table of Contents
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