NUR 2205C Neurobiological Theories and Psychopharmacology

Chapter 2 Videbeck Notes Neurobiologic Theories and Psychoparmacology

Psychopharmacology – the use of medications to treat mental illness.

These medications directly affect the CNS , which includes
 Behavior
 Perceptions
 Thinking
 Emotions
5 categories of drugs used to treat mental illness- pharmacologic interventions are most
effective treatment, however adjunct therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family
therapy and psychotherapy greatly enhance the success of treatment and outcome.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Brain, Spinal cord & associated nerves that control voluntary acts
THE BRAIN
 CEREBRUM
 CEREBELLUM
 BRAIN STEM
 LIMBIC SYSTEM

Cerebrum

Divided into 2 hemispheres R & L
PINEAL BODY OR GLAND – Endocrine gland located between the hemispheres. It influences the
activities of the pituitary gland, islets of Langerhans, parathyroids, adrenals, and gonads.

R & L hemispheres are attached by corpus callosum (pathway) and coordinates their functions.
L hemisphere- controls r side of body and is center for logical reasoning and analytic functions
such as reading, writing and math.
R hemisphere- controls the L side of body and is the center for creative thinking, intuition and
artistic abilities.

CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES HAVE 4 LOBES
 Frontal – control organization of thought, body movement, memories, emotions &
moral behavior. The integration of this info regulates arousal, focuses attention and
enables problem solving and decision making.

 Parietal – interpret sensations of taste & touch and assist with spatial orientation

 Occipital – assist in coordinating language generation and visual interpretation (depth
perception)

,  Temporal – centers for the senses of smell and hearing and for memory and emotional
expression.


FRONTAL LOBE ABNORMALITIES associated with Schizophrenia , attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dementia.


Cerebellum
Located below cerebrum and is center for coordination of movements and postural
adjustments. It receives and integrates information from all areas of the body, muscles,
joints, organs and other components of CNS.

INHIBITED TRANSMISSION OF DOPAMINE IN THIS AREA(Cerebellum) is associated with
the lack of smooth coordinated movements in diseases such as Parkinson’s and
Dementia

Brain Stem
 Midbrain
 Pons
 Medulla oblongata
 Nuclei for cranial nerves III through XII

The medulla located at top of spinal cord contains the vital centers for respiration and
cardiovascular functions
The Pons above medulla in front of cerebrum the pons “bridges” the gap structurally
and functionally serving as a primary motor pathway.
The midbrain connects the pons and cerebellum with the cerebrum it includes the
reticular activating system and the extrapyramidal system.
The reticular activating system influences motor activity, sleep, consciousness and
awareness.
The extrapyramidal system relays information about movement and coordination from
the brain to the spinal nerves.
The locus coeruleus is a small group of norepinephrine-producing neurons in the brain
stem, is associated with stress, anxiety and impulsive behavior.
The Limbic System

Area of the brain located above the brain stem includes:
 Thalamus – regulates activity, sensation and emotion
 Hypothalamus – involved in temperature regulation, appetite control, endocrine
function, sexual drive, impulsive behavior associated with feelings of anger, rage
or excitement
 Hippocampus – involved in emotional arousal and memory.
 Amygdala- involved in emotional arousal and memory