Cognitive Function
Cognitive Function and the Brain
The brain has a major role in the area of cognition. Everything from emotion, problem solving, language, the way we process and categorize memories, and how we learn all stem from the functioning of the brain. This paper will discuss the role of the brain in cognitive functions and describe the impact that Phineas Gage’s accident had on revealing the brain’s role in cognitive function.
Anatomy of the Brain
Cognitive functions derive from the area of the brain known as the cerebrum. The cerebrum is also known as the cerebral cortex and comprises the majority of the brain 's mass. It consists of four areas known as the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Each area is responsible for a specific …show more content…
task and the majority of these tasks serve a precise cognitive function. The surface of the cerebrum is comprised of nerve cells with fibers running below. These fibers transmit signals throughout the cells and other areas of the brain, and these signal transmissions are regulated by chemicals produced by the nerve cells called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are created by nerve cells and are released when a nerve cell is stimulated.
There are at least 75 neurotransmitters that have been discovered through research. Further discussed will be glutamate, GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, endorphins, and dopamine.
Glutamate is the most prominent neurotransmitter and has the ability to excite almost every neuron within the nervous system. Glutamate is also known as glutamic acid and plays an important part in our ability to learn. It is also the opposite of GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) which has an inhibitory affect on the brain and controls anxiety.
The Serotonin neurotransmitter’s function is to regulate mood, pain, eating, arousal, and sleep. If you have too little serotonin in your system you will be susceptible to depression and may be prescribed a SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) such as Zoloft or …show more content…
Paxil.
The next neurotransmitter is acetylcholine (ACh).
In relation to the peripheral nervous system, acetylcholine is responsible for the activation of muscles, but its presence in the central nervous system has an effect on learning and memory. Proof of its affect on these is the link of depleted acetylcholine to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The next neurotransmitter to be discussed is endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for the reduction of pain after injury and elevated mood such as pleasure, and excitement. The word endorphin is derived from endogenous and morphine. Endogenous means originating or developing from within, and morphine is a substance close to opium which is found in the poppy plant. This substance is contained in narcotics which can be used to stimulate the receptors in the brain related to endorphins to help reduce pain.
The final neurotransmitter discussed will be dopamine. Dopamine has numerous effects on the nervous system to include behavior, motivation, thought and feeling. Dopamine is also linked to decision making, movement, attention, and a wide range of cognitive functions. Extremely high levels of dopamine have been linked to the presence of schizophrenia, and lower levels have been linked to the presence of Parkinson’s
disease.
Phineas Gage’s Impact on Cognitive Function
Phineas Gage was a foreman on a railroad construction site on September 13, 1848 when he accidentally set off an explosion which caused the tampering iron he was using to go straight through his head. It is believed that the accident caused the rod to destroy 11 percent of the white matter and 4 percent of the cerebral cortex of his brain. Mr. Gage’s accident is often used as an example in psychology when speaking of cognitive function because although he survived the accident, his brain damage was so severe that his personality was altered and he was never able to work in the same capacity again. The study of his case was and still is important because of its impact on the early stages of the study of neurology.
In conclusion, the brain has a major role in the area of cognition. Everything from emotion, problem solving, language, the way we process and categorize memories, and how we learn all stem from the functioning of the brain. This paper discussed the role of the brain in cognitive functions and described how studying Phineas Gage after his accident resulted in noted changes in his behavior. Because of this research, scientists of today have a better understanding of the role the frontal lobe plays in relation to cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, and social cognition.
References
Demand Media, Inc. (2013). Cognitive Brain Functions. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5312779_cognitive-brain-functions.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask
Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
The brain has a major role in the area of cognition. Everything from emotion, problem solving, language, the way we process and categorize memories, and how we learn all stem from the functioning of the brain. This paper will discuss the role of the brain in cognitive functions and describe the impact that Phineas Gage’s accident had on revealing the brain’s role in cognitive function.
Anatomy of the Brain
Cognitive functions derive from the area of the brain known as the cerebrum. The cerebrum is also known as the cerebral cortex and comprises the majority of the brain 's mass. It consists of four areas known as the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Each area is responsible for a specific …show more content…
task and the majority of these tasks serve a precise cognitive function. The surface of the cerebrum is comprised of nerve cells with fibers running below. These fibers transmit signals throughout the cells and other areas of the brain, and these signal transmissions are regulated by chemicals produced by the nerve cells called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are created by nerve cells and are released when a nerve cell is stimulated.
There are at least 75 neurotransmitters that have been discovered through research. Further discussed will be glutamate, GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, endorphins, and dopamine.
Glutamate is the most prominent neurotransmitter and has the ability to excite almost every neuron within the nervous system. Glutamate is also known as glutamic acid and plays an important part in our ability to learn. It is also the opposite of GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) which has an inhibitory affect on the brain and controls anxiety.
The Serotonin neurotransmitter’s function is to regulate mood, pain, eating, arousal, and sleep. If you have too little serotonin in your system you will be susceptible to depression and may be prescribed a SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) such as Zoloft or …show more content…
Paxil.
The next neurotransmitter is acetylcholine (ACh).
In relation to the peripheral nervous system, acetylcholine is responsible for the activation of muscles, but its presence in the central nervous system has an effect on learning and memory. Proof of its affect on these is the link of depleted acetylcholine to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The next neurotransmitter to be discussed is endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for the reduction of pain after injury and elevated mood such as pleasure, and excitement. The word endorphin is derived from endogenous and morphine. Endogenous means originating or developing from within, and morphine is a substance close to opium which is found in the poppy plant. This substance is contained in narcotics which can be used to stimulate the receptors in the brain related to endorphins to help reduce pain.
The final neurotransmitter discussed will be dopamine. Dopamine has numerous effects on the nervous system to include behavior, motivation, thought and feeling. Dopamine is also linked to decision making, movement, attention, and a wide range of cognitive functions. Extremely high levels of dopamine have been linked to the presence of schizophrenia, and lower levels have been linked to the presence of Parkinson’s
disease.
Phineas Gage’s Impact on Cognitive Function
Phineas Gage was a foreman on a railroad construction site on September 13, 1848 when he accidentally set off an explosion which caused the tampering iron he was using to go straight through his head. It is believed that the accident caused the rod to destroy 11 percent of the white matter and 4 percent of the cerebral cortex of his brain. Mr. Gage’s accident is often used as an example in psychology when speaking of cognitive function because although he survived the accident, his brain damage was so severe that his personality was altered and he was never able to work in the same capacity again. The study of his case was and still is important because of its impact on the early stages of the study of neurology.
In conclusion, the brain has a major role in the area of cognition. Everything from emotion, problem solving, language, the way we process and categorize memories, and how we learn all stem from the functioning of the brain. This paper discussed the role of the brain in cognitive functions and described how studying Phineas Gage after his accident resulted in noted changes in his behavior. Because of this research, scientists of today have a better understanding of the role the frontal lobe plays in relation to cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, and social cognition.
References
Demand Media, Inc. (2013). Cognitive Brain Functions. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5312779_cognitive-brain-functions.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask
Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.