Interactions of all areas sensory, motor & motivational systems is essential for behavior.
Example: throw a ball - info about motion of ball, impact of ball, position of arms, legs, hands, etc. - sensory, motor, motivational systems
Anatomical organization of each major functional system (sensory, motor, motivational) follows 4 principles
Principles of Anatomical Organization
Each system contains relay centers
These don’t just transmit info; also modify it
Most important relay center is the thalamus
almost all sensory info to cerebral cortex processed by thalamus
Each system is composed of several distinct pathways
Example: touch & pain
Principles of Anatomical Organization (Cont.)
Each pathway is topographically organized
neural map - clustered functions
Most pathways cross the body’s midline
Thus each hemisphere controls the actions/sensations of the opposite side.
Left side dominates language; right side -spatial perception, musical ability
The cerebral hemispheres are involved with inputs and outputs from the contralateral side of the body
Damage to neocortex causes problems on the opposite side
In patients with epilepsy, surgeons occasionally cut corpus callosum to relieve seizures. Flash different pictures in each eye, patients could describe what they saw with right eye, but not left, but could pick out object - example: Heart = ART.
The cerebellum is involved with the control of movement on the ipsilateral side of the body.
Damage to the cerebellum causes motor deficits on the same side.
Use it or Lose it!
It is the neocortex that makes us humans
Genetics has much to do with neocortical circuitry
Environment and experience, however, modify neocortical circuitry
Like your body, failing to exercise your mind modifies it (and not for the better)