Sub cortical Brain Structures

Sub cortical Brain Structures

• Sub cortical - underneath the cortex– hypothalamus and pituitary

– basal ganglia

– limbic system

– hindbrain and brainstem structures

Hindbrain Structures

• Cerebellum

• Brainstem– medulla– reticular formation– pons

The Parts of the Central Core

• Medulla-

Regulates involuntary breathing and heart rate

Cerebellum

• Small protrusion above medulla

• Function- Coordinates the smooth movement of muscle

The Reticular System

• The reticular system filters sensory information to determine conscious perception

• Malfunction has been linked to autism

Hypothalamus• Contains nuclei involved

in a variety of behaviors– sexual behavior

– hunger, thirst

– sleep

– water and salt balance

– body temperature regulation

– circadian rhythms

– role in hormone secretion

Hypothalamus and Hormones

• Hypothalamus releases hormones or releasing factors which in turn cause pituitary gland to release its hormones

Hypothalamus video

• Hunger and the Hypothalamus

( past essay question)

Rat study and reward deficiency syndrome

Thalamus

• Thalamus directs sensory info from the touch receptors to the cerebrum.

• It regulates sleep & wakefulness.

Amygdala

• Inputs come from all senses

• Amygdala ‘reads’ emotional significance of inputs

• Output influences such functions as heart rate, adrenaline release

Amygdala and Emotion

• Identify emotion from facial expressions

Amygdala damage makes this task difficult

Hippocampus

• Important in forming new memories

• Case of Jeremy

( short video)

An illustration of the central core