Itt írjon a(z) SubcorticalAsymmetries-ról/ről

Asymmetries in the subcortical region of the Brain

= Title 1 =Introduction

Asymmetries in the subcortical region of the brain is primarily concerned with ratio of white matter to grey matter in anatomical structures involving the Basal Ganglia, Planum Temporale, Thalamus and Limbic System. The grey matter is the cell bodies of the neurons, while the white matter is the tendrils, called dendrites and axons that spread out from the cell bodies to connect to other neurons. Signals pass between them by the release and capture of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator chemicals, such as glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine, noradrenalin, serotonin and endorphins.

The functions mainly concerned with the subcortical region of the brain are psychological processes including learning, memory, language, and cognitive functions. The subcortical structures receive a wide array of different inputs from the cerebrum and peripheral sense organs and stretch receptors. Through the use of recurrent feedback loops this information is integrated and a response is constructed to provide output which contributes to sequencing, timing and preciseness of movement, as well as learning and automation of motor and non-motor behaviours.

Extra Asymmetries or disturbed asymmetries of the subcortical region can cause impairments regarding the above functions and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a condition which will be discussed in detail below, but for now we need to understand the basics behind it. Schizophrenia is strongly associated with volumetric alterations within the cortical region. As a result features such as smaller bilateral hippocampus, amygdale, thalamus and accumbens can be observed. Similarly the opposite occurs regarding the bilateral caudate and putamen, which are seen to increase.