The Basic Neuroscience Trivia Quiz

Alternating episodes of elation and sadness are referred to as bipolar disorder. This mental health condition is characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of intense happiness and high energy (mania) to periods of deep sadness and low energy (depression). These episodes can last for days, weeks, or even months, and can significantly impact a person's daily functioning and overall well-being. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires long-term management and treatment.

An enlarged hippocampal formation is associated with spatial memory and navigation skills. London cab drivers are known to have larger hippocampal formations due to their extensive training and experience in navigating the complex roadways of London. Therefore, it is expected that a London cabby who has 30 years of experience would have an enlarged hippocampal formation.

If you have ingested a drug that prevents alcohol from binding to the GABA/A receptor, you would expect to show no signs of sedation, even after consuming nine beers. This is because alcohol's sedative effects are primarily mediated through its interaction with the GABA/A receptor. By blocking this interaction, the drug prevents alcohol from exerting its sedative effects, leading to a lack of sedation even after consuming a large amount of alcohol.

The hippocampus receives inputs from the entorhinal cortex, which is responsible for relaying information from the neocortex to the hippocampus. It also receives inputs from the amygdala, which plays a key role in emotional processing. Additionally, the hippocampus receives inputs from various regions of the limbic cortex, which is involved in emotion, memory, and motivation. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as the hippocampus receives inputs from all of these sources.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia. It helps in reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. However, stopping the medication abruptly can lead to a relapse of symptoms, including an increase in positive symptoms. Taking cocaine, a stimulant drug, can further exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations and paranoia. Therefore, if John stops taking CPZ and takes cocaine, it would be expected to greater worsen his positive schizophrenia symptoms.

Exhibiting flattened emotional expression would be a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors or emotions. In this case, flattened emotional expression means a lack of emotional responsiveness, where individuals may appear to have a limited range of facial expressions, reduced eye contact, and a lack of emotional expressivity in their speech and gestures. This is in contrast to positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, which involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences.

The correct answer is that the common aspect of all natural reinforcers relates to the release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens. This is because the nucleus accumbens is a key part of the brain's reward system, and dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the experience of pleasure and reinforcement. When natural reinforcers such as food, water, or social interaction are experienced, dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens, reinforcing the behavior and increasing the likelihood of it being repeated in the future.

The monoamine hypothesis suggests that depression is caused by insufficient activity of monoaminergic neurons. Monoaminergic neurons, which include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurons, are responsible for regulating mood and emotions. When there is a lack of activity in these neurons, it can lead to depression. This hypothesis is supported by the effectiveness of antidepressant medications, which work by increasing the activity of monoaminergic neurons.

The correct answer is Field CA1 of the hippocampal formation. The patient's profound anterograde amnesia suggests damage to the hippocampus, a region of the brain crucial for forming new memories. Specifically, CA1 is a subfield of the hippocampus that plays a significant role in memory consolidation and retrieval. Damage to this region can result in severe difficulties in forming new memories after the injury.

Amphetamine is a stimulant that increases the release of dopamine in the brain. PET studies have shown that schizophrenic patients treated with amphetamine exhibit a greater release of dopamine from the striatum, which is a region of the brain involved in reward and motivation. This increased release of dopamine is associated with an increase in positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. Therefore, the correct answer is "greater release of dopamine, increase in positive symptoms."

Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the breakdown and inactivation of neurotransmitters such as catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) and serotonin. It catalyzes the oxidation of these neurotransmitters, converting them into inactive forms. This process is important for regulating the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain and maintaining neurotransmitter balance.

The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that a deficiency in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression. This hypothesis is supported by several pieces of evidence. Reserpine, a medication that depletes monoamine neurotransmitters, causes depression, indicating that low levels of these neurotransmitters are associated with depressive symptoms. CSF levels of 5-HIAA, a metabolite of serotonin, are low in suicidal patients, further supporting the hypothesis. Families of individuals with low levels of 5-HIAA are more likely to include people with depression, suggesting a genetic component to the monoamine deficiency. However, the statement that monoamine agonists produce depression contradicts the hypothesis, as agonists would increase the levels of these neurotransmitters and potentially alleviate depressive symptoms.

PCP acts as an antagonist at NMDA receptors. This means that PCP inhibits or blocks the activity of NMDA receptors in the brain. NMDA receptors are involved in processes such as learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. By acting as an antagonist at NMDA receptors, PCP disrupts the normal functioning of these receptors, leading to altered brain activity and potential effects on cognition, perception, and behavior.

The correct answer is that HM is not proficient in post 1953 American vocabulary. This means that while his verbal abilities are intact, he struggles with using vocabulary that has emerged or become popular after 1953. This suggests that his language skills are limited to vocabulary that was commonly used and understood prior to that year.