Relationships b/w Brain & Behavior

Chapter 2: The Chief Product of Brain

 Individual’s Responses: Strength, efficiency,

Basic Concepts reactivity, appropriateness of reactions to
Commands
in Questions
Neuropsychology Discrete stimulation

 Neuropsych Goal: Study behavior patterns

generated by neuro-anatomical subsystems

Relationships b/w Brain & Behavior Relationships b/w Brain & Behavior

The Chief Product of Brain The Chief Product of Brain

 Examine & Rehabilitate Brain Dysfunction:  Make Inference about Brain Function:
Using many techniques (i.e., interviews,
From observing
questionnaires, standardized tests)
complex behavior
To measure neuropsych function
Within context of
 In Many Domains: Speech/language, attention, patient history
perception, memory, reasoning, judgement,
planning, emotion, drawing/building, etc.

Neuropsych Dimensions of Behavior

Neuropsych Describing Three Functional Systems

 Like the Dimensions of Space: Conceptually
Dimensions separate but intimately interconnected

of  Emotionality: Capability for feeling & motivation

Usually receive least attention

Behavior Deficits in expression / control

are subtle in brain injured
Deficits hard to identify with neuropsych tests

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 Neuropsych Dimensions of Behavior
Describing Three Functional Systems
 Cognition: Info-handling aspects of behavior.
Usually receive most attention
Deficits tend to most
prominent in brain injured
Most readily measured
and correlated with
neuro-anatomical function
Neuropsych Dimensions of Behavior
Describing Three Functional Systems
 Example of Korsakoff’s: Progressive dementia
caused by malnutrition & alcohol use
Learning & memory impacted
Emotionally flat & indifferent
as emotional topic changes
No follow-through of 2-step commands
Sit & do nothing in absence of
outside stimulation / physiological urges
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Information Processing Model
 Like FOUR functions of a computer
 FOUR distinct parts of cognition
bound together & inseparable
 Allowing for complex response,
paralleling cerebral complexity
 Creating complex impairments
in brain injured people
Neuropsych Dimensions of Behavior
Describing Three Functional Systems
 Executive Function: How behavior is expressed
Planning, organizing actions
Setting actions in motion (executing)
Self-checking & accurate self-correction
 Brain injury / dysfunction (all sizes & locations)
usually disrupt working of all three systems
Neuropsych
Dimensions:
Cognition
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Information Processing Model
 Info Receiving Function: Select, acquire,
classify, and integrate info
 Memory & Learning Function: Info storage,
manipulation, and retrieval
 Thinking Function: information is organized,
reorganized, changed to meet goals
 Expressive Functions: Means of information
output, through communication or action
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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
The Verbal / Non-Verbal Split
 Two Neuroanatomical Networks: All 4 cognitive
functions have 2 sets of circuits / systems
One for processing verbal
and symbolic information
One for processing sensory
(visual, auditory, etc.) info
 For info related to words / symbols
 For info not experienced as words & symbols
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Cognition: Receptive Function
 Discrete Receptive Units (Fields): Make
complex sensations possible
 Sensory Reception:
First, arousal & registration
Then analysis & encoding
Finally, integration
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Cognition: Receptive Function
 Brain Injury / Dysfunction: Typically creates
dissociations in sensation & perception
Patient sees still objects, but
cannot see moving objects
Patient sees everything
else, except color
Patient sees only in
2-dimension, not depth
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Cognition: Receptive Function
 Entry of Info Into the Processing System:
First sensory stimulation
Then perception / integration
(for assigning meaning)
Lastly, moving into memory
 Light  retina  etc. 
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Cognition: Receptive Function
 Hubel, Weisel, & Livingstone (1968,1988):
Visual cortex neurons
organized to respond
preferentially to
orientation & location
Different visual neurons
send info about
color & movement
Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition
Cognitive Agnosia
 ‘Loss of Knowledge’: Impair
ability to recognize or assign
meaning to information
While basic sensation &
perception work normally
 Agnosia is failure to integrate information
Visual, auditory, body awareness, etc.
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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition

Cognitive Agnosia Cognitive Agnosia

 To Perceive, Recognize & Understand: We’re  Associative Agnosia: Deficit in retrieval of
constantly processing & filtering sensations stimulus-relevant knowledge & memories
Basic sensory info Perceive stimuli
Integrated to higher levels accurately but can’t
Cross-modally / using prior knowledge recognize / name it
Often visual-linguistic
 Using many different cerebral regions at once caused by occipital-
 Making perception vulnerable to brain injury temporal damage

Neuropsych Dimensions: Cognition

Cognitive Agnosia
 Appreciative Agnosia: Deficit in Neuropsych
perceptual integration of stimuli
components
Dimensions:
Perception is the deficit Memory
Often visual caused by
occipital-parietal damage
Trouble drawing, copying,
matching, distinguishing

Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Basics of Memory Basics of Memory

 For learning, accessing past knowledge,  Working Memory: Small amount of information
imagining the future is stored for short time
Requires ongoing
 Short-term Memory: Storage of new information cognitive activity
for brief periods of time
Temp storage, allowing
Requires ongoing attention / repetition allows of visual, spatial,
and verbal information
 Long-term Memory: Storage of new information
for long periods of time (attending not needed)  Incidental Memory: Learning w/out direct effort

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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Basics of Memory Basics of Memory

 There are 2 kinds of Long-Term Memory
 Explicit (Declarative) Memory: Info we have
long-term & can manifest in consciousness
 Implicit / Procedural Memory: Info we have
long-term than can’t be manifested consciously
Riding a bike
Driving a stick shift
 There are 2 kinds of declarative memory
 Episodic (Autobiographical) Memory: Memory
of particular events/episodes from our own lives
 Semantic Memory: Memory
of general facts, knowledge,
and information
 Remote Memory: Distant past, in our own lives

Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Brain Anatomy & Remembering
 Hippocampus: Recognition of familiar objects,
working memory, spatial location
 Medial Temporal Cortex: Jennifer Aniston and
more general concept neurons
 Amygdala: Emotionally significant experiences,
like the conditioned startle response
 Cerebellum & Striatum (Caudate + Putamen):
Implicit sensory-motor & habit formation

Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Stages of the Remembering Process
 Begins w/ Sensory Memory: Registers & briefly
holds large amounts of info
Sensations / perceptions
enter memory system
Fleeting iconic / echoic
images (200 - 2,000 msec)
 Then Enters Short-Term Memory: Temporary,
limited capacity (7±2) retrieval system
Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Stages of the Remembering Process
 Donald O. Hebb (1949): Remembering is the
enduring change in efficiency of synaptic firing
 Short-term storage happens
via reverberation / circulation
of impulses in neural circuits
Eventually re-verb
produces structural
synaptic change (LTP)
Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Stages of the Remembering Process
 Long-Term Potentiation: Synapses amplify /
strengthen transmission of neural signal
Increasing magnitude / amplitude
of post-synaptic excitatory potentials
Physiological mechanism
of memory & learning
 Co-occurrence of firing foundation of behavioral
conditioning, habit formation (good & bad), etc.
Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Stages of the Remembering Process
 Short-Term Memory: Allows immediate action,
based on immediate information
Lasts several minutes w/ rehearsal
 Working Memory: Short-term memory together
with short-term executive
Allows immediate problem-solving
Hold info in mind, to guide behavior
Phonological loop / visuospatial sketchpad
Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Concussions, Amnesia, & Consolidation
 Hebb’s Long Term-Potentiation (LTP):
The same two neurons
Firing in the same order
Always one after the other
On multiple occasions
 Strengthens the synapse b/w those neurons
Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory
Stages of the Remembering Process
 LTP makes for Long-Term Memory (LTM):
Retain / store info
For more than a few minutes
Without rehearsal
 Memory Consolidation: Translation / transfer of
info from short- to long-term memory
From hippocampus & medial-temporal, striatum
To neo-cortex
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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Memory Deficits: Amnesia Memory Deficits: Amnesia

 Disturbed registration / storage / retrieval  Retrograde: Lost memories of past events
Deficits range, often depending on lesion location From TBI - typically lose
30-60 min prior to event
 Time Limited / Transient: Amnesia limited
to discrete period (minutes/hours) From Brain Disease - can
lose years or decades
w/ all other memory intact

 Anterograde: Can’t form new memories  Squire et al. (1975, 2001): Memory for TV study
Medial-temporal / hippocampal damage First in, last out principle

Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Memory Deficits: Amnesia

 Anatomical Dissociation: Typically, in patients
anterograde impaired, retrograde spared
Hippocampal Complex –
manages times-sensitive,
temporary processing (short-term)
Anterior-lateral Temporal –
permanent long-term storage
(other association sensory areas too)

Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory Neuropsych Dimensions: Memory

Memory Deficits: Amnesia Memory Deficits: Amnesia

 Left Hippocampal Damage: Verbal deficit
Can’t recall / recognize spoken
or written words, names, etc.
Can recall / recognize faces,
spatial arrangements
 Right Hippocampal Damage: Nonverbal-deficit
Can’t recall / recognize
travel routes, new music tunes
 Implicit / Procedural Memory: Most resistant,
but not immune to brain injury or disease
Memory for how to walk, talk
dress and eat is often spared
 Prospective Deficits: Executive remembering
to remember (carry out decided-upon actions)
Basal forebrain / prefrontal injury

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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Expressive

Speaking, Drawing & Gesturing

Neuropsych  Manipulating / moving / assembling, facial

expression are brain- / goal-directed behavior
Dimensions:
 Apraxia: Impaired voluntary movement despite
Expressive Ability capable muscles & senses, with complex cause
Disrupted initiation / coordination
Disrupted info process (tool / body use)
Disrupted executive sequencing

Neuropsych Dimensions: Expressive Neuropsych Dimensions: Expressive

Speaking, Drawing & Gesturing Speaking, Drawing & Gesturing

 Constructional Apraxia: Disturbance of spatial  Aphasia: Impaired comprehension / formulation
formation / formulation of verbal messages
Assembling, building, drawing Disrupted 2-way translation
Right hemisphere damage b/w thought & language

Clock drawing Disrupted manipulation

procedures of mental representations
diagnostically Disrupted processing of
useful verbal symbols & grammatical rules

Neuropsych Dimensions: Expressive

Speaking, Drawing & Gesturing

 Aphasia: Many sub-types w/ varying abilities Neuropsych
spared or lost, depending on area of injury
Dimensions:
Agraphia
Alexia Thought
Anomia
Broca’s
Werneck's

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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Thought Neuropsych Dimensions: Thought

A Particular Kind of Cognition A Particular Kind of Cognition

 Manipulating Info & Using Mental Operations:  Lower Order Thinking: Using mental operations
and manipulating concrete info
Computation
More sensitive to
Reasoning & judgment
focal brain injury
Abstract thinking
Forming concepts  Higher Order Thinking: Manipulating & using
Organizing & planning mental operations on abstract info
More sensitive to
diffuse brain injury

Neuropsych Dimensions: Attention

Focus & Concentration

Neuropsych  Perceptual & Inhibitory Process: Helps us
become receptive to incoming info
Dimensions: Lets us respond for orienting
Attention Lets us disengage for shifting
Lets us sustain for vigilance
Lets us ignore to avoid distraction

 Reflexive (automatic) or voluntary (controlled)

Neuropsych Dimensions: Attention Neuropsych Dimensions: Attention

Focus & Concentration Components of Attention

 Hierarchical & Sequential Process: At different
stages different brain regions are involved
Early stages - modality
specific & outside awareness
Later stages - multi-modal
& at level of awareness
 A Limited-Capacity Process: Only so much
info processing can take place at once
 Selective Attention: Highlights important stimuli
Suppresses awareness of
competing distracting info
Orients us to salient info
 Sustained Attention / Vigilance: Maintaining
attentional activity over period of time
 Divided Attention: Responding / attending
to more than one task / stimulus at a time

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 Neuropsych Dimensions: Attention

Two Ways of Processing Attended Info

 Bottom-Up: Processes any info deemed salient, Neuropsych
conspicuous (task relevant & irrelevant)
All stimuli get same attentional treatment
Dimensions:
 Top-Down: Process info in context of the goal
Activity Rate
Works using attentional bias
Overrides stimulus-driven process
Starts with situational over-layer

Neuropsych Dimensions: Activity Rate

Mental Processing Speed

 Mental / Motor Inefficiency: Slowing is common Neuropsych

with age, brain disease & injury
Dimensions:
Slowed reaction times
Slowed completion times Executive Function
 Contributes to attention
and memory problems

Neuropsych Dimensions: Executive Neuropsych Dimensions: Executive

Organizing, Planning, Monitoring Organizing, Planning, Monitoring

 Purposeful Self-Directed Behavior: Deliberate
action taken to meet goals.
Will action be taken?
If so, how & when?
How will action change,
as needed?
 Not what can you do & how
much ‘cognitive questions’
 Impaired Executive:
Unable to care for self or work
Can’t take multi-step sequential action
Can’t self-monitor performance
Loss of self-control (emotion & behavior)
Can’t initiate activity
Loss of motivation (not laziness or faking)

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Neuropsych
Dimensions:
Personality
Neuropsych Dimensions: Personality
Three Kinds of Emotional Lability
 Lability due to Weakened Executive:
Seen in acute phases of illness / injury
Most often when stressed / fatigued
 Overactive Emotionality: Resulting from loss of
ability to modulate emotions
 Pseudobulbar State: Brief, uncontrollable
outbursts of crying / laughter to mildest triggers
Neuropsych Dimensions: Personality
Changes in Emotion & Character
 Possible Direct Sequelae of Brain Injury:
Disrupted social sensitivity
Disrupted anxiety levels
Emotional dulling
Disinhibition / irritability
Low frustration tolerance
 Emotional Lability: Rapid, exaggerated swings
Neuropsych Dimensions: Personality
Changes in Emotion & Character
 Emotional changes / distress result from combo
of brain-based changes & social demands.
 Depressed Mood: An indirect side-effect
Due to frustration w/ acquired
deficits & changed lifestyle
 Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies: Another
indirect side-effect, of reduced mental efficiency
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