BEHS 364 Alcohol in the United States Questions and Answer

neurons Ans- multiple brain systems communicate with each other through about a trillion tiny nerve cells called neurons -translate information into electrical and chemical signals the brain can understand. -send messages from the brain to the rest of the body neurotransmitters Ans- carry messages between the neurons. -can be very powerful -depending on the type and amount of neurotransmitter, these chemicals can either intensify or minimize your body's responses, feelings, and mood. -alcohol can slow the pace of communication between neurotransmitters in the brain. this may cause you to feel very drowsy -can trigger mood and behavioral changes, including depression, agitation, memory loss, and seizures. brain imaging Ans- Various imaging tools, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET), are used to create pictures of the brain. All of these imaging techniques are useful to track changes in the alcoholic brain. For example, they can show how an alcoholic brain changes immediately after drinking stops, and again after a long period of sobriety, to check for possible relapses. psychological tests Ans- Researchers also use psychological tests to evaluate how alcohol related brain changes affect mental functioning. These tests demonstrate how alcohol affects emotions and personality, as well as how it compromises learning and memory skills. cerebellum Ans- - This area controls motor coordination. Damage to the cerebellum results in a loss of balance and stumbling, and also may affect cognitive functions such as memory and emotional response limbic system Ans- This complex brain system monitors a variety of tasks including memory and emotion. Damage to this area impairs each of these functions cerebral cortex Ans- Our abilities to think, plan, behave intelligently, and interact socially stem from this brain region. In addition, this area connects the brain to the rest of the nervous system. Changes and damage to this area impair the abilit