Thalamus & Hypothalamus

• What are the major parts of the brain?

  Brain stem, cerebellum, forebrain
• What is the primary function of the forebrain?

  Responsible for higher-order functions
• What does the midbrain do?

  Acts as a relay center for sensory and motor functions
• What is the role of the hindbrain?

  Responsible for basic life functions
• What are the functions of the thalamus?

  • Relay station for sensory information
  • Integration of sensory information
  • Regulates alertness and arousal
  • Relays motor information to the cerebrum
  • Involved in memory and learning
  • Regulates sleep and consciousness
• What is the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) responsible for?

  Relays auditory information to the auditory cortex
• What does the ventral lateral nucleus (VL) relay?

  Information about touch, pain, and temperature
• What is the function of the ventral anterior nucleus (VA)?

  Plays a role in motivation, reward, and emotion
• What does the pulvinar nucleus involve?

  Higher-order functions like attention and memory
• What are the effects of damage to thalamus nuclei?

  • Subcortical aphasia
  • Word fluency problems
  • Thalamic syndrome
• What is stuttering characterized by?

  Repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words
• What defines cluttering in speech?

  Speaking rapidly and slurring words
• What is thalamic syndrome?

  • Central post-stroke pain
  • Various synonyms:
  • Dejerine-Roussy syndrome
  • Thalamic pain syndrome
  • Central pain syndrome
• What is the most common cause of thalamic syndrome?

  Stroke damaging the thalamus
• What is a hallmark symptom of thalamic syndrome?

  Centralized chronic pain
• What are abnormal sensations in thalamic syndrome?

  Burning, tingling, or prickling sensations
• What movement problems can occur with thalamic syndrome?

  Tremors and muscle stiffness
• What emotional changes can occur with thalamic syndrome?

  Irritability, depression, and anxiety
• What cognitive difficulties can arise from thalamic syndrome?

  Problems with memory and attention
• Where is the hypothalamus located?

  Below the thalamus
• What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

  • Maintaining homeostasis
  • Regulating hunger and thirst
  • Controlling sleep-wake cycle
  • Mediating emotional responses
  • Regulating hormone production
  • Stimulating sexual function
  • Controlling childbirth and lactation
  • Regulating memory and learning
• What are the components of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal systems?

  • Hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract: Neural pathway for oxytocin and ADH
  • Hypophyseal portal system: Blood vessels connecting hypothalamus to anterior pituitary
• What is the limbic system's impact on our lives?

  • Understanding emotions
  • Motivational drive
  • Forming memories
  • Decision-making influence
• What neurotransmitters are involved in emotions and behavior?

  Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin
• What is amnesia?

  Loss of memories, facts, and experiences
• What is the difference between learning and memory?

  • Learning: Acquisition of knowledge or skills
  • Memory: Storage of acquired knowledge for recall
• What is working memory?

  Complex type of short-term memory
• What is consolidation in memory?

  Transferring short-term memory to long-term storage