CNS 1

• What are the important roles of the brain stem?

  Regulation of cardiac and respiratory function
• What is one of the functions of the brain stem related to sleep?

  Important in sleep regulation
• Which nuclei in the brain stem are important in movement?

  Substantia nigra
• What does the term "cerebellum" mean in Latin?

  Little brain
• What is the cerebellum important for?

  Control of voluntary movement, balance, and posture
• What is one of the functions of the cerebellum related to learning?

  Some forms of motor learning
• What is the thalamus known for in the brain?

  Important relay center for sensory input to the cortex
• How does the thalamus participate in network activity?

  It participates especially in sleep with the cortex
• What does the term "hypothalamus" mean in Latin?

  Below thalamus
• What is the hypothalamus very important for?

  Homeostasis and endocrine function
• What is the role of the basal ganglia?

  Control of voluntary movement
• What behavioral issues are associated with dysfunction in the basal ganglia?

  Tourette's, OCD, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s
• What does the name "hippocampus" mean in Latin?

  Seahorse
• What is the hippocampus important for?

  Learning and memory
• How is the hippocampus related to spatial navigation?

  It is important for spatial navigation, as seen in Black cab drivers
• What is the role of the amygdala?

  Important in emotional memory, especially fear
• What higher functions does the cortex enable?

  Executive function, memory, and speech
• What is the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?

  A barrier to blood-borne proteins and molecules into the brain
• What forms the blood-brain barrier?

  Endothelial cells and astrocyte end feet

  
• Why do some parts of the CNS have a leaky BBB?

  Because of specific functions, like in the hypothalamus
• What are the three layers of protective tissue in the meninges?

  • Dura mater (thick)
  • Arachnoid mater (fibrous)
  • Pia mater (thin membrane)
• What are the fluid-filled spaces within the brain called?

  Ventricles
• How many ventricles are there in the brain?

  Two lateral ventricles, third ventricle, aqueduct, and fourth ventricle
• What is the composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

  Colorless and similar to plasma
• What is the volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the human body?

  125 mL volume, 500 mL generated daily
• Where is cerebrospinal fluid generated?

  In the ventricular system secreted by the choroid plexus
• What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid?

  Provides buoyancy, protection, and clears waste
• What is a lumbar puncture used for?

  Sampling cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic tests
• How many neurons are there approximately in the human brain?

  About 90 billion
• What neurotransmitter do excitatory neurons release?

  Glutamate
• What effect do excitatory neurons have on their target cells?

  They cause depolarization in cells on which they synapse
• What percentage of the neuronal population do inhibitory neurons represent?

  About 20%
• What neurotransmitter do inhibitory neurons release?

  Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• What effect do inhibitory neurons have on their target cells?

  They cause hyperpolarization in cells on which they synapse
• What is the role of astrocytes in the CNS?

  Maintain CNS homeostasis and neurotransmitter uptake
• What is the main function of microglia?

  Act as phagocytotic cells mopping up debris
• What is the main function of oligodendrocytes?

  Produce myelin sheath that insulates axons
• What disease is associated with the loss of myelin sheath?

  Multiple Sclerosis
• What are the functions of the cortical lobes?

  • Integrates sensory information
  • Personality and decision-making
  • Motor control
  • Decoding visual information
  • Language comprehension, memory, and emotion

  
• What is the central nervous system composed of?

  The brain and spinal cord