Psychology 2220A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Brain Damage, Substantia Nigra, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2220A/B
• Professor: Yves Bureau

Document Summary

There are 6 causes of brain damage: brain tumours, cerebrovascular disorders, closed-head injuries. Infection of the brain o: neurotoxins, genetic factors. Tumour (neoplasm): a mass of cells that grows independently of the rest of the body: a cancer. 20% of brain tumours are meningiomas: encased in meninges tumours that grow b/w the meninges: encapsulated; growing within their own membranes. Thus only influence the function of the brain in the pressure they exert on other structures: usually benign; surgically removable, but could cause pain b/c meninges have pain receptors o. Most brain tumours are infiltrating (and not meningiomas: grow diffusely through surrounding tissue, usually malignant; difficult to remove or destroy and continue to grow if some remains. Gliomas: brain tumours that originate from glial cells, are common, malignant and grow rapidly. About 10% of brain tumours are metastatic: originate elsewhere, usually the lungs. Stroke: a sudden-onset cerebrovascular event that causes brain damage.