Affective NSC Exam 3 with complete solutions
latest 2026/27 UPDATE
Which neuronal subtype of the dlPFC plays a larger role in shaping our behavior? Is there
a similar example of this control in one of the other circuits?
- Inhibitory interneurons only make up 20% of the neurons in the dlPFC, they play a large role in
shaping our behavior by gating excitatory inputs
- they regulate which excitatory inputs lead to appropriate behavior, and which do not
- this is similar to the role of the ICMs within the amygdala, which gate information between the
BLA and CeA, thus regulating the output of the CeA
Layer 1 of the cortex
superficial layer
Layer 2/3 of the cortex
intracortical communication: vmPFC -> dmPFC (corticolimbic), vmPFC -> dlPFC
(corticostriatal), SAA's -> dlPFC (corticohippocampal)
Layer 4
input from the subcortical to the cortex: VA/VL thalamus -> premotor cortex (corticostriatal),
VTA -> dlPFC (corticohippocampal), pulvinar/medial geniculate -> visual/auditory cortex
(corticolimbic)
Layer 5/6
output: dlPFC -> VS (corticostriatal), dmPFC -> BLA/ICM (corticolimbic), dlPFC -> VTA
(corticohippocampal)
, Compare the dorsal stream of information to the ventral stream of information. Where do
these streams deliver information to within the cortex?
- dorsal stream = delivers information to the parietal cortex about where, in relation to other
objects in space
- ventral stream = delivers information to the temporal cortex about what specific objects occupy
the space around us
- both streams of information converge on the dlPFc, which integrates where and what
information for the performance of complex behaviors
Encoding
The initial learning of information. How sensory information is processed into a form that can be
stored. This occurs via the SAA's transmitting sensory information via the dorsal and ventral
stream to the hippocampal formation, leading to integration and binding of the information
together within the trisynapic loop of the hippocampus
consolidation
The process of storing learned information. This occurs through strengthening the connections
between the neurons active during encoding via LTP
recall
the process of retrieving stored information. The hippocampus stimulates the neurons active
during encoding, leading to the retrieval of information stored in the connections of the memory
trace
memory trace
latest 2026/27 UPDATE
Which neuronal subtype of the dlPFC plays a larger role in shaping our behavior? Is there
a similar example of this control in one of the other circuits?
- Inhibitory interneurons only make up 20% of the neurons in the dlPFC, they play a large role in
shaping our behavior by gating excitatory inputs
- they regulate which excitatory inputs lead to appropriate behavior, and which do not
- this is similar to the role of the ICMs within the amygdala, which gate information between the
BLA and CeA, thus regulating the output of the CeA
Layer 1 of the cortex
superficial layer
Layer 2/3 of the cortex
intracortical communication: vmPFC -> dmPFC (corticolimbic), vmPFC -> dlPFC
(corticostriatal), SAA's -> dlPFC (corticohippocampal)
Layer 4
input from the subcortical to the cortex: VA/VL thalamus -> premotor cortex (corticostriatal),
VTA -> dlPFC (corticohippocampal), pulvinar/medial geniculate -> visual/auditory cortex
(corticolimbic)
Layer 5/6
output: dlPFC -> VS (corticostriatal), dmPFC -> BLA/ICM (corticolimbic), dlPFC -> VTA
(corticohippocampal)
, Compare the dorsal stream of information to the ventral stream of information. Where do
these streams deliver information to within the cortex?
- dorsal stream = delivers information to the parietal cortex about where, in relation to other
objects in space
- ventral stream = delivers information to the temporal cortex about what specific objects occupy
the space around us
- both streams of information converge on the dlPFc, which integrates where and what
information for the performance of complex behaviors
Encoding
The initial learning of information. How sensory information is processed into a form that can be
stored. This occurs via the SAA's transmitting sensory information via the dorsal and ventral
stream to the hippocampal formation, leading to integration and binding of the information
together within the trisynapic loop of the hippocampus
consolidation
The process of storing learned information. This occurs through strengthening the connections
between the neurons active during encoding via LTP
recall
the process of retrieving stored information. The hippocampus stimulates the neurons active
during encoding, leading to the retrieval of information stored in the connections of the memory
trace
memory trace
