THE BRAIN: ANATOMY and MECHANISMS

THE CEREBRAL CORTEX

Divided into two sections called cerebral hemispheres
Convolutions or creases comprise three elements:
Sulci
Fissures
Gyri

NEURONS & NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Acetylcholine (ACh)
Only transmitter between motor neurons and voluntary muscles.
Walking, talking, breathing.
Also appears to contribute to attention, arousal, and memory.

Dopamine
Monoamine
feel good chemical
Control voluntary movements.
Too much dopamine: Schizophrenia
Too little: Parkinsons Diseases

Serotonin
Monoamine.
Regulates sleep & wakefulness, behavior, moods, and thought processes.
Low activity levels of serotonin: aggression, suicide, impulsive overeating, excessive sexual behavior.

Norepinephrine
Monoamine
Regulates blood pressure, heart rate, & mood.
Stimulates at least two groups of receptors: alpha-adrenergic & beta adrenergic.
Beta-blockers: drugs which block beta-receptors in order to reduce response to norepinephrine.