Question 1

You are the technician running the fMRI (functional magentic resonance imaging)machine today.You have had a patient in the machine for quite a while when you notice a sudden change in electrical activity within the RAS.What might be happening?

Accepted Answer

The RAS (reticular activating system) is responsible for arousal and attention. When the RAS is active, the person is awake and alert. When the RAS is inactive, the person is asleep. Therefore, a sudden change in electrical activity within the RAS could indicate that the person is waking up or falling asleep.

Question 2

Would SSRIs be useful therapies for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) increase the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is mainly implicated in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perception, and emotional responsiveness, and it is generally believed to involve abnormalities in the levels of dopamine and glutamate, among other neurotransmitters, but not serotonin. Therefore, SSRIs are not typically used as first-line therapies for schizophrenia.

Question 3

Regarding schizophrenia,

Accepted Answer

People with schizophrenia frequently have disorders of sensory awareness, such as hallucinations and delusions. Treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic medication may result in symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors and rigid muscles. Lithium carbonate is not typically prescribed for schizophrenia, as it is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder.

Question 4

You have a patient who,after undergoing treatment for a brain disease,has a high amount of protein fragments and waste products in his CSF.To aid in clearance,which might you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Sleep is known to enhance the clearance of waste products from the brain, as the glymphatic system becomes more active during sleep. This system is responsible for removing protein fragments and waste products from the brain and is particularly efficient during sleep. Therefore, recommending sleep as a means of aiding CSF clearance would be the most appropriate option.

Question 5

If you were to record your own EEG activity while concentrating very hard on this exam,the most prominent EEG pattern would be

Accepted Answer

Beta rhythm is associated with intense mental activity and concentration, such as during an exam. Alpha rhythm is seen when one is awake and relaxed, delta rhythm is seen during deep sleep, and theta rhythm is seen during meditation or drowsiness. Thus, beta rhythm would be the most prominent EEG pattern during intense cognitive activity.

Question 6

A laboratory rat has an electrode implanted in its brain.By pressing a metal bar in its cage,the animal can activate the electrode.You are analyzing the data from the most recent experiment day and find that the rat pressed the bar over and over again.The rat did not even eat during the experimental period because it was too busy pressing the bar.  In which location is the electrode likely to be implanted?

Accepted Answer

The mesolimbic system, which includes the nucleus accumbens, is associated with reward and motivation. The fact that the rat repeatedly pressed the bar and did not even eat suggests that the electrode is likely implanted in this area, stimulating the release of dopamine and producing a strong reward response. The other brain regions listed are not typically associated with reward or motivation behaviors.

Question 7

You are a sleep lab technician and are sorting through the records obtained the previous night.You found that at 1:20 a.m.EEG tracings showed low amplitude,high-frequency activity,and subject had very low muscle tone.Which of the following is likely?

Accepted Answer

The description of low amplitude, high-frequency activity on the EEG, combined with very low muscle tone, is indicative of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. During REM sleep, people are more likely to experience dreams and can often recall them upon waking.

Question 8

Psychoactive drugs

Accepted Answer

Psychoactive drugs can be taken for a variety of reasons, including to relieve altered states of consciousness (such as anxiety or depression) or to experience altered states of consciousness (such as those induced by hallucinogens). Additionally, many psychoactive drugs stimulate neuronal activity in the "reward" areas of the brain, which can lead to addiction or dependency. Therefore, all of the choices are correct.

Question 9

You are a veterinarian and a dog is brought in that has experienced a BB gun shot to the brain.The brain scan reveals damage to the amygdala.You need to explain this injury to the owners.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is involved in the expression of fear and rage in a normal animal. Without it, the dog may be docile at all times. It is not required for memory formation, appetite regulation, or expressing affection.

Question 10

You are counseling a pair of tired parents.All three of their children have been waking in the night frequently for the past few months.You ask them several questions about their parenting habits,which of the following might be the problem?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are counseling a pair of tired...

Question 11

Drugs that are used to treat depression increase the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain.

Accepted Answer

Drugs used to treat depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is associated with mood regulation, and low levels of serotonin are linked to depression.

Question 12

Regarding schizophrenia,

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are correct. Schizophrenia is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. There is also evidence that genetics play a role in the development of schizophrenia.

Question 13

Which of the descriptions is not descriptive of REM (rapid eye movement)sleep?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen consumption actually increases during REM sleep compared to NREM sleep and an alert wakeful state.

Question 14

During a routine brain scan it is discovered that Nick has a larger than average amygdala.How might Nick's family describe Nick?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for the processing of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. Thus, Nick's larger than average amygdala might indicate that he is more prone to feeling fearful or anxious, compared to the average person.

Question 15

Your alarm pulls you from sleep while you were in the middle of a vivid dream.You were most likely

Accepted Answer

Vivid dreams occur during REM sleep. The other answer choices are not directly related to this scenario.

Question 16

During paradoxical sleep

Accepted Answer

During paradoxical sleep (also known as REM sleep), brain neurotransmitter activity in the pathways regulating states of consciousness is similar to that in the awake state. This means that although the person's muscles are paralyzed and they are difficult to awaken, their brain activity resembles that of being awake, indicating that their brain is actively engaged in dreaming and cognitive processes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect statements about paradoxical sleep.

Question 17

The alpha rhythm is the most prominent EEG pattern when an adult is

Accepted Answer

The alpha rhythm is a slow wave pattern that occurs in the range of 8-13 Hz and is most prominent when an adult is awake and relaxed with their eyes open. It can also be present during quiet wakefulness with eyes closed, but it disappears when engaging in mental activity or when the eyes are closed tightly. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 18

You are a veterinarian and a dog is brought in that has experienced a BB gun shot to the brain.The brain scan reveals damage to the septum of the limbic system.You need to explain this injury to the owners.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The septum normally inhibits the amygdala, which is responsible for fear and aggression. Without inhibition, the dog may become fearful and aggressive.

Question 19

Which of the following statements regarding the brain areas that direct emotion is not true?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is primarily involved in the integration and regulation of emotional behaviors rather than being the site of conscious feeling of emotion. The conscious experience of emotion is more closely associated with the cerebral cortex and limbic system.

Question 20

It is believed that the rhythmic patterns of the EEG most likely originate from this structure in the brain.

Accepted Answer

The rhythmic patterns of the EEG are generated by the synchronized activity of thousands of neurons in the cerebral cortex.

Quiz 8: Consciousness, the Brain, and Behavior

You are the technician running the fMRI (functional magentic resonance imaging) machine today.You have had a patient in the machine for quite a while when you notice a sudden change in electrical activity within the RAS.What might be happening?

Would SSRIs be useful therapies for schizophrenia?

Regarding schizophrenia,

You have a patient who,after undergoing treatment for a brain disease,has a high amount of protein fragments and waste products in his CSF.To aid in clearance,which might you recommend?

If you were to record your own EEG activity while concentrating very hard on this exam,the most prominent EEG pattern would be

You are a sleep lab technician and are sorting through the records obtained the previous night.You found that at 1:20 a.m.EEG tracings showed low amplitude,high-frequency activity,and subject had very low muscle tone.Which of the following is likely?

Psychoactive drugs

You are a veterinarian and a dog is brought in that has experienced a BB gun shot to the brain.The brain scan reveals damage to the amygdala.You need to explain this injury to the owners.Which of the following is true?

You are counseling a pair of tired parents.All three of their children have been waking in the night frequently for the past few months.You ask them several questions about their parenting habits,which of the following might be the problem?

Drugs that are used to treat depression increase the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain.

Regarding schizophrenia,

Which of the descriptions is not descriptive of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep?

During a routine brain scan it is discovered that Nick has a larger than average amygdala.How might Nick's family describe Nick?

Your alarm pulls you from sleep while you were in the middle of a vivid dream.You were most likely

During paradoxical sleep

The alpha rhythm is the most prominent EEG pattern when an adult is

You are a veterinarian and a dog is brought in that has experienced a BB gun shot to the brain.The brain scan reveals damage to the septum of the limbic system.You need to explain this injury to the owners.Which of the following is true?

Which of the following statements regarding the brain areas that direct emotion is not true?

It is believed that the rhythmic patterns of the EEG most likely originate from this structure in the brain.