lecture 4

• Parts of the Central Nervous System

  • Forebrain (Prosencephalon)
  • Midbrain (Mesencephalon)
  • Hindbrain (Rhombencephalon)

  
• Brain localisation


  The brain is made up of different parts and each part has a different function

  
• Dynamic localisation


  Different parts of the brain work together for the same function
• Parts of the Hindbrain

  • Medulla
  • Pons
  • Cerebellum

  
• Hindbrain


  • Oldest part of the brain (first evolutionarily)
  • Function: survival
• Rhombencephalon


  Contains medulla, pons, cerebellum
• Location of the Hindbrain

  Superior/dorsal to spinal cord

  
• Functions of the Hindbrain

  • Control breathing (Respiratory Centre)
  • Heart rate (Cardiovascular Centre)
  • Blood pressure - controls muscles in vessel walls (Vasomotor Centre)
• Medulla


  "Bridge" - Axons from each half of brain cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord
• Locus coeruleus


  Produces noradrenaline/norepinephrine (excitatory neurotransmitter)
• Pons


  • "Little brain"
  • Function: Co-ordinating voluntary, complex movements
  • Learning of movements, posture, balance, co-ordination
• Cerebellum


  • Function: Co-ordinating voluntary, complex movements
  • Learning of movements, posture, balance, co-ordination
• Midbrain


  • Topmost end of the brain stem
  • Connects brain & spinal cord
  • Functions: Motor movement, eye movements, auditory and visual processing

  
• Substantia Nigra


  • Basal ganglia structure
  • Dopaminergic nucleus: dopamine-containing pathway
  • Functions: Dopamine production ("reward")
  • Facilitates readiness for movement
• Parkinson's disease

  • Nervous system disorder that affects movement
  • Dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra affected
  • Progressive: starts gradually
  • Tremor, stiffness, slowing of movement
  • Non-motor symptoms: constipation, apathy, depression, sleep behaviour disorders, lose sense of smell, cognitive impairment

  
• Reticular formation


  • Interconnected nuclei, "core" of pathways connecting spinal cord and brain
  • Function: Integration and relay centre
  • Being awake and asleep: arousal, consciousness, circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycles
  • Integration of nervous system