Limbic system and higher brain function

Andreas Talgø Lie

LIMBIC SYSTEM

Limbic system - structures

Limbic system - function

• Emotions

• Long term memory

• Olfaction

• Behavior

• ANS

• Sexual behavior

Limbic system - summery

Structure Function

Hypothalamus Autonomic nervous system

Amygdala Agression center

Thalamus Relay station for sensations (except olfaction)

Hippocampus Convertion of short term memory to long term memory

Reward system Mesolimbic dopamine pathwayMesocortical dopamine pathway

* Satiation

Addiction

Addiction

Addiction

Punishment system

Higher brain function

Memory

• Memory: learning that has persisted over time – information that has been stored and in many cases can be recalled

Synaptic placidity mechanism of memory and learning

Long term potentiation - LTP

Memory

Sensory memory/ Working memory

Learning - habituation

Learning - sensitization

Learning – conditioned reflexes

USUR

CR

Neutral stimuli

CS

Trial

Amnesia

Retrograde Antrograde

Language disorders

• Dysarthria - Inability to produce words

• Dysphasia/Aphasia - Higher-order inability to speak

• Dysphonias/Hoarse voice - Inability to produce sounds

Language disordersDysphasia/Aphasia Lesion

Broca Non-fluent with intact comprehension

Wernicke Fluent with impaired comprehension and repetition

Conduction Poor repetition but fluent speech, comprehension intact

Anomia Consistent inability to produce words for things desired to talk about

Receptive aphasiaBA: 22

Expressive aphasiaBA: 44 and 45

Conduction aphasia

Association areas - prefrontal

o Planning for voluntary movement, the future

o Consideration of consequences of actions before following through

o Predictions

o Solving logical/math problems

o Self control in regards to social, moral, ethical laws and norms

Association areas – parieto-occipito-temporal area

• Analysis of spatial coordination

• Area for language comprehension

• Area for visual language (reading)

• Area for associating vision with memory