PSYC 2272 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Arachnoid Mater, Dura Mater, Pia Mater
Document Summary
Neurological tradition based on location of brain lesions and selective cognitive impairments. Psychophysic: how psychological experience does/does not match physical world. Behaviorism: rigorous, general application, mental events not appropriate for scientific study. Cognitive revolution: chomsky argued for limits on what behaviorism could explain; computer metaphor; no brain needed; mental structures and events are acceptable to study. Cognitive neuroscience: merger of neurology, computer science, and cognitive psychology. Context for different approaches to localization of function and identifying components of cognition. Functions: protection, metabolic support, local processing, communication between regions. Focus on central nervous system cortex in particular. 3 membranes: dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater. Number of neurons peaks in childhood & then declines with age. Provide myelin sheath for neurons (fatty, lipid insulation for axons to improve speed of transmission along axon) Other functions: balance of ions, blood-brain barrier, repair, immune responses. Myelin coating on axons for long distance communication. Color from fatty (lipid) composition of myelin.
