Neurobiology of Brain States

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Neurobiology of Brain States Psychology
166 Lecture 6
January 24, 2008
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Final Notes on Perception
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Cells of the Central Nervous System
Neurons
Glia
Information processing
Oligodendrocytes
Microglia
Insulation of axons
Immune reactions (potential macrophages)
Astrocytes
Structural support Metabolic support Response to
injury (Glial scars) Information processing
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Cells of the Central Nervous System
Endothelial cells
Ependymal cells
Walls of blood capillaries
Walls of brain ventricles
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Unstained Cells of the Central Nervous System
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Stained Cells of the Central Nervous System
Mouse Cerebral Cortex (the same brain region)
A few completely stained neurons
Cell bodies
Neuronal nuclei
Axons
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Which Brain is the Real One?
Question 1
Answer 1
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Which Brain is the Real One?
Answer 2
Question 2
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Warning!!!

• Every microscopic image of the brain is an image
  of the brain processed in some way.
• Current technology does not allow us to observe
  brain cells without affecting them.

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Neurons
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Neurons
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Glia Oligodendrocytes
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Neurons
Myelin sheath provided by oligodendrocytes
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Glia Astrocytes
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Glia Microglia
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Blood Vessels of the Human Body
William Cowper (1666-1709)
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Blood Capillaries in the Human Cerebral Cortex
Capillary walls are made from endothelial cells
fMRI signal blood oxygenation in capillaries
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The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
The blood brain-barrier is a dynamic
structure! It can be opened by drugs, stress, etc.
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Brain Ventricles
Ventricle walls are made from ependymal cells
Ventricle
Ventricle
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Brain Ventricles
Ventricle walls are made from ependymal cells
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Mathematicians About Mathematicians
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Non-Mathematicians About Mathematicians
A mathematician is one who looks at a cow and
says, Lets assume it is a sphere.
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Neuroscientists About the Brain
Lets assume it is a hollow tube.
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The Brain
Outside (nothing)
Inside (ventricles)
Wall (brain tissue)
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The Brain
Dorsal Side (UP)
Caudal End Posterior End (REAR)
Rostral End Anterior End (FRONT)
Ventral Side (DOWN)
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The Brain
Dorsal Side (UP)
Rostral End Anterior End (FRONT)
Caudal End Posterior End (REAR)
VENTRAL SIDE (DOWN)
Ventral Side (DOWN)
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The Brain
Medial
Lateral
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The Brain
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The Developing Brain
Early Stage (3 vesicles) 4 weeks
Later Stage (5 vesicles) 5 weeks
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The Brain
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The Developing Human Brain
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The Meninges of the Brain
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The Meninges of the Brain
Dura Mater
Skull
Brain (Cortex)
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The Meninges of the Brain
Dura Mater
Typical headaches originate in the dura, not in
the brain itself!
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The Meninges of the Brain
Dura Mater
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The Meninges of the Brain
PAD
Dura Mater
Arachnoid
Pia Mater
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid
space.
Infectious meningitis is an infection of the CSF
in the subarachnoid space.
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The Meninges of the Brain
A SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC HEADACHE THE WORST
HEADACHE OF MY LIFE MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE
It may be caused by a ruptured aneurysm in the
subarachnoid space. This leads to massive
bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain. A lethal
outcome is likely emergency surgery is needed
within hours.
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The Meninges of the Brain
A SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC HEADACHE THE WORST
HEADACHE OF MY LIFE MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE
It may be caused by a ruptured aneurysm in the
subarachnoid space. This leads to massive
bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain. A lethal
outcome is likely emergency surgery is needed
within hours.
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The Meninges of the Brain