CLINICAL NEUROBIOLOGY EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the difference between principal/typical neurons and intrinsic/interneurons? -
Correct Answers -Principal neurons can exist in the CNS and PNS (in the PNS,
comprise sensory and motor neurons), can be excitatory or inhibitory, and can span
long or short distances.
Interneurons/intrinsic neurons are found nearly? exclusively in the CNS (brain and
spinal cord), are primarily inhibitory, and are confined/intrinsic to one particular structure
of the CNS (e.g. within the spinal cord only).
Astrocyte functions - Correct Answers -Homeostasis, metabolism, structural support for
neurons, synchronization/regulation of neuronal firing, removal of waste and dead
neurons, synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter turnover, vasodilation.
Restricted to the CNS!
Microglia functions - Correct Answers -"immune" cells, phagocytosis, surveillance,
waste removal
Oligodendrocyte functions - Correct Answers -Myelination and axon support in the CNS
Schwann cell functions - Correct Answers -Myelination and axon support in the PNS
Describe the scientific impact of Santiago Ramon y Cajal. - Correct Answers -
discovered that neurons are individual cells, drew/stained different glia and neurons,
used Camillo Golgi's silver staining method.
Describe the scientific impact of Ben Barres. - Correct Answers -transgender
neurobiologist who advocated for gender equality in science/academia. His work
focused on glial cells: discovered how developing neurons signal oligodendrocytes to
myelinate their axons, and researched how glia are fundamental in forming and
eliminating neuronal synapses.
Innermost- Pia Mater- soft, membranous, thin, delicate layer. Lines every sulci and gyri
of the brain, contours the brainstem and all the folds of the cerebellum.
, What are sulci vs gyri? - Correct Answers -Sulci are grooves/indentations. Gyri are
bumps/folds.
From where could a sinus in the brain absorb CSF? - Correct Answers -The
subarachnoid space, under/within the arachnoid layer.
Computerized Axial Tomography Scanning (CAT/CT Scan) - Correct Answers -Uses X-
rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the brain.
The CT scanner sends X-rays through the brain; each rotation of the scanner provides a
picture of a thin slice.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Correct Answers -Uses a magnetic field and
pulses of radio waves (not radiation like an X-ray) to see the structure of the brain.
Depending on the strength of the signal, it could be nicer/more detailed than a CT scan.
Detailed pictures of organs and internal body structures.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) - Correct Answers -Tweaked version of
the MRI to capture blood flow. You can visualize changes in function now, with the
blood flow as a proxy for function.
Blood flow = increased oxygenation = increased function, so that particular brain area
needs more oxygen
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan - Correct Answers -Radioactively traces
glucose, and measures glucose uptake in various regions of the brain. Glucose
presence is a proxy for function- we are assuming increased glucose uptake = function
Can detect consciousness vs vegetative state vs brain death (hollow-skull sign)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Correct Answers -the use of strong magnets
to briefly interrupt normal brain activity as a way to study brain regions; magnetic pulses
are delivered by a paddlelike device held near the scalp. A newer method.
Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) - Correct Answers -Brain imaging technique that
measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity; looks at brain
FUNCTION. Very noninvasive. Does not subject patient to radiation or any external
magnetic field.
Pneumoencephalogram - Correct Answers -Older X-ray based method. Shows
ventricles and basic structures of brain.
Cerebral Angiogram - Correct Answers -Older X-ray based method. Shows
vasculature/blood vessels within the brain, after arterial injection of a contrast medium.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the difference between principal/typical neurons and intrinsic/interneurons? -
Correct Answers -Principal neurons can exist in the CNS and PNS (in the PNS,
comprise sensory and motor neurons), can be excitatory or inhibitory, and can span
long or short distances.
Interneurons/intrinsic neurons are found nearly? exclusively in the CNS (brain and
spinal cord), are primarily inhibitory, and are confined/intrinsic to one particular structure
of the CNS (e.g. within the spinal cord only).
Astrocyte functions - Correct Answers -Homeostasis, metabolism, structural support for
neurons, synchronization/regulation of neuronal firing, removal of waste and dead
neurons, synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter turnover, vasodilation.
Restricted to the CNS!
Microglia functions - Correct Answers -"immune" cells, phagocytosis, surveillance,
waste removal
Oligodendrocyte functions - Correct Answers -Myelination and axon support in the CNS
Schwann cell functions - Correct Answers -Myelination and axon support in the PNS
Describe the scientific impact of Santiago Ramon y Cajal. - Correct Answers -
discovered that neurons are individual cells, drew/stained different glia and neurons,
used Camillo Golgi's silver staining method.
Describe the scientific impact of Ben Barres. - Correct Answers -transgender
neurobiologist who advocated for gender equality in science/academia. His work
focused on glial cells: discovered how developing neurons signal oligodendrocytes to
myelinate their axons, and researched how glia are fundamental in forming and
eliminating neuronal synapses.
Innermost- Pia Mater- soft, membranous, thin, delicate layer. Lines every sulci and gyri
of the brain, contours the brainstem and all the folds of the cerebellum.
, What are sulci vs gyri? - Correct Answers -Sulci are grooves/indentations. Gyri are
bumps/folds.
From where could a sinus in the brain absorb CSF? - Correct Answers -The
subarachnoid space, under/within the arachnoid layer.
Computerized Axial Tomography Scanning (CAT/CT Scan) - Correct Answers -Uses X-
rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the brain.
The CT scanner sends X-rays through the brain; each rotation of the scanner provides a
picture of a thin slice.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Correct Answers -Uses a magnetic field and
pulses of radio waves (not radiation like an X-ray) to see the structure of the brain.
Depending on the strength of the signal, it could be nicer/more detailed than a CT scan.
Detailed pictures of organs and internal body structures.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) - Correct Answers -Tweaked version of
the MRI to capture blood flow. You can visualize changes in function now, with the
blood flow as a proxy for function.
Blood flow = increased oxygenation = increased function, so that particular brain area
needs more oxygen
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan - Correct Answers -Radioactively traces
glucose, and measures glucose uptake in various regions of the brain. Glucose
presence is a proxy for function- we are assuming increased glucose uptake = function
Can detect consciousness vs vegetative state vs brain death (hollow-skull sign)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Correct Answers -the use of strong magnets
to briefly interrupt normal brain activity as a way to study brain regions; magnetic pulses
are delivered by a paddlelike device held near the scalp. A newer method.
Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) - Correct Answers -Brain imaging technique that
measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity; looks at brain
FUNCTION. Very noninvasive. Does not subject patient to radiation or any external
magnetic field.
Pneumoencephalogram - Correct Answers -Older X-ray based method. Shows
ventricles and basic structures of brain.
Cerebral Angiogram - Correct Answers -Older X-ray based method. Shows
vasculature/blood vessels within the brain, after arterial injection of a contrast medium.
