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CHAPTER 3 - FUNCTIONAL NEUROANATOMY
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In order to best understand this atlas it is important to have a sense of the functional
neuroanatomy of the brain. Over the next several pages there is a brief summary of the 5
major brain systems that relate to behavior, along with the general location seen on SPECT
of these areas.
Functions
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sets the emotional tone of the mind
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filters external events through internal states (emotional coloring)
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tags events as internally important
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stores highly charged emotional memories
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modulates motivation
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controls appetite and sleep cycles
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promotes bonding
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directly processes the sense of smell
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modulates libido
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Problems
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moodiness, irritability, clinical depression
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increased negative thinking
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perceive events in a negative way
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decreased motivation
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flood of negative emotions
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appetite and sleep problems
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decreased or increased sexual responsiveness
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social isolation
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Functions
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integrates feeling and movement
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shifts and smoothes fine motor behavior
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suppression of unwanted motor behaviors
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sets the body's idle or anxiety level
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enhances motivation
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pleasure/ecstasy
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Problems
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anxiety, nervousness
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panic attacks
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physical sensations of anxiety
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tendency to predict the worst
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conflict avoidance
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Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome/tics
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muscle tension, soreness
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tremors
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fine motor problems
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headaches
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low or excessive motivation
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The Prefrontal Cortex
dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex
outside view
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inferior orbital prefrontal cortex
outside view
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inferior orbital prefrontal area
inside view
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Functions
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attention span
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perseverance
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judgment
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impulse control
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organization
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self-monitoring and supervision
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problem solving
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critical thinking
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forward thinking
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learning from experience
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ability to feel and express emotions
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influences the limbic system
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empathy
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Problems
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short attention span
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distractibility
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lack of perseverance
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impulse control problems
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hyperactivity
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chronic lateness, poor time management
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disorganization
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procrastination
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unavailability of emotions
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misperceptions
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poor judgement
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trouble learning from experience
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short term memory problems
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social and test anxiety
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Functions
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allows shifting of attention
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cognitive flexibility
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adaptability
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helps the mind move from idea to idea
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gives the ability to see options
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helps you go with the flow
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cooperation
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Problems
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worrying
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holds onto hurts from the past
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stuck on thoughts (obsessions)
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stuck on behaviors (compulsions)
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oppositional behavior, argumentative
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uncooperative, tendency to say no
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addictive behaviors (alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, chronic pain)
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cognitive inflexibility
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obsessive compulsive disorder
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OCD spectrum disorders
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eating disorders, road rage
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Functions
Dominant Side (usually the left)
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understanding and processing language
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intermediate term memory
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long term memory
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auditory learning
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retrieval of words
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complex memories
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visual and auditory processing
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emotional stability
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Problems
Dominant Temporal Lobe
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aggression, internally or externally driven
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dark or violent thoughts
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sensitivity to slights, mild paranoia
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word finding problems
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auditory processing problems
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reading difficulties
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emotional instability
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Non-dominant Side (usually the right)
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recognizing facial expression
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decoding vocal intonation
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rhythm
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music
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visual learning
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Non-dominant Side (usually the right)
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difficulty recognizing facial expression
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difficulty decoding vocal intonation
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implicated in social skill struggles
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Either/Both Temporal Lobe Problems
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memory problems, amnesia
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headaches or abdominal pain without a clear explanation
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anxiety or fear for no particular reason
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abnormal sensory perceptions, visual or auditory distortions
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feelings of déjà vu or jamais vu
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periods of spaciness or confusion
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religious or moral preoccupation
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hypergraphia, excessive writing
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seizures
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