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Cerebral Cortex Intellectual Functions of The Brain Learning and Memory
Cerebral Cortex Intellectual Functions of The Brain Learning and Memory
Cerebral Cortex Intellectual Functions of The Brain Learning and Memory
Intellectual
Functions of the Brain
Learning and Memory
Structure of the cerebral cortex
Cortex:
100 billion neurons
2-5mm, 0.25m2
3 types of neurons:
-Granular – interneurons
(glutamate/GABA)
-Fusiform – output fibers from cortex
-Pyramidal – motor neurons
I, molecular layer;
II, external granular layer;
III, layer of pyramidal cells;
IV, internal granular layer;
V, large pyramidal cell layer;
VI, layer of fusiform or
polymorphic cells
Cortical Areas
Broca’s Area -
provides the neural
circuitry for
word formation. Here
planned and formed
motor patterns for
expressing individual
words or
even short phrases
Functions of Specific Cortical Areas
Area for Recognition of Faces
Prosophenosia - is
inability to recognize
faces.
This occurs in people
who have extensive
damage on the
medial undersides of
both occipital lobes and
along
the medioventral
surfaces of the temporal
lobes
Comprehensive Interpretative Function of the
Posterior Superior Temporal Lobe—“Wernicke’s
Area” (a General Interpretative Area)
•In about 95 per cent of all people, the left hemisphere is the
dominant one, in 5% either both sides develop simultaneously to
have dual functions or only right side alone becomes dominant
Disadvantages:
-Some studies have shown problems in language development in left-
handers
-Research has shown that left-handers are more likely to have problems with
reading and they also "...don't do as well on phonology (the sound system of
language) tasks..." when compared with right-handers
-Canadian psychologist Stanley Coren book ”The Left-Handed Syndrome”
mention that left-handers, on average, lived about a decade less than right-
handers do.
Higher Intellectual Functions of the
Prefrontal Association Areas
-The main difference between the brains of monkeys and of human
beings is the great prominence of the human prefrontal areas
-Prefrontal lobotomy - severing the neuronal connections between the
prefrontal areas of the brain and the remainder of the brain
“ Remembering is reconstruction”
-Bartlett, 1932
Memory Storage Model
Consolidation
Sensory
Register
Short-Term
Memory
“Spit Out” (Forgotten)
Memory Terminology
1.Sensory Register:
Where sensory information is briefly retained
2. Short-Term Memory:
Information this is currently being used or
may be worth storing for later
Tested with the “Digit Span Test” (7 +/- 2
items)
Example: Telephone number,SIN card #
Memory Terminology
3. Long-Term Memory:
Unlimited store of permanent memory
Examples: Autobiographic facts, important
events
Applying This Concept
Long Term
3 Items Memory
Period of deficit
time
Retrograde Amnesia Anterograde Amnesia
Time
Event producing amnesia; Hypoxic
Injury at BBQ Post-Exam Party
Amnesia and Brain Trauma
„ Amnesia is associated with injury/damage to
certain brain structures, specifically the medial
temporal lobe
„Causes of medial temporal lobe damage:
Herpes simplex encephalitis
„ Memory as a:
Warehouse
Switchboard
Cellular/Synaptic/Molecular Event
Henry Gustav Molaison (February 26, 1926 – December 2, 2008)
H.M. – What to do?
Performed in 1953
Bilateral Removal of
Hippocampus & Adjacent Areas
Medial Temporal Lobes
Outcome Following Surgery
However...
Hippocampal Parahippocampal
Formation region
Hippocampal Parahippocampal
Formation Perforant region
Path
Unable to
Forgetting where
remember all items
the car was parked
on the grocery list
Misplacing small
items
Forgetting names of
casual contacts
Memory Loss in the Elderly
These hiccups are mainly attributed to normal
„age-related declines in frontal lobe function
Alzheimer’s
-Anterograde amnesia Non-Alzheimer’s
(repeating stories)
- Apathy + Depression Fronto-Temporal:
-Behaviour Changes
Vascular Dementia: - Anomia
-Same disease of blood
vessel as in heart disease Dementia with
Parkinsonism:
- Risk Factors: HTN, DM2,
Cholesterol,Smoking. - Motor difficulties
Genetic (rare)
Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Donepezil (Aricept®):
AChE inhibitor
But do They Work?
Diet
Physical activity
Brain exercises
Protect your brain
Wear your helmet and buckle up
Don’t poison your brain :
Cocaine, amphetamines, Ecstasy
Ginkoba®
The Memory Enhancer?
Ginkgo biloba
Reported to enhance mental focus and
improve memory and concentration