MRI

Provides detailed images of brain structure; used in diagnosis, development, and mapping brain regions

fMRI

Tracks blood-flow changes to identify brain activity during tasks or mental processes

PET

Uses radioactive tracers to show metabolism, chemistry, and brain function

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Uses magnetic pulses to temporarily modulate activity in targeted brain regions

Intracranial EEG (iEEG

Records electrical activity directly from the brain, often for epilepsy mapping and research

Genetic tools and computational modeling

Help identify biological mechanisms and patterns in brain data.

Molecular imaging

Visualizes cellular and molecular processes in the brain.

Central Nervous System

a.The Brain (Brain Stem, Cerebellum, Cerebrum) b.Spinal Cord integrates internal sensations

Peripheral Nervous System

a.Sympathetic b.Parasympathetic Systems

Central Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord and serves as the body's primary information-processing and communication network. It receives information from the senses, interprets that information, and coordinates thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Trauma can significantly affect the functioning of the CNS, leading to heightened reactivity, difficulty regulating emotions, and changes in attention, memory, and perception.

Autonomic Nervous System

consists of the parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system.

Sympathetic Nervous System

prepares the body to respond to perceived danger by increasing alertness, heart rate, and mobilizing energy for action. Individuals who have experienced trauma often spend excessive time in sympathetic activation, leading to chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulty feeling safe.

Parasympathetic nervous system

helps the body rest, recover, and return to a state of balance and safety. A central goal of trauma-informed clinical practice is helping clients strengthen their capacity to access parasympathetic states that support regulation, connection, healing, and resilience

Triune Brain Model

model that describes the brain as three interconnected systems that developed over the course of evolution

Brainstem

helps regulate basic survival functions

limbic system

involved in emotions and relationships

cortex

which supports thinking, reasoning, and self-awareness

Lizard brain

brain stem & cerebellum fight or flight autopilot

Mammal brain

Limbic system Emotions , memories, habits Decisions

Human brain

neocortex language , abstract , imagination , consciousness reasons, rationalizes

Brainstem (lower brain )

1.) Regulates vital body functions: breathing, heart rate, other automatic functions 2. The most ancient part of the brain (reptilian) 3. Vagus nerve connects the medulla in the brainstem to the stomach, lungs, heart; & is associated with parasympathetic nervous system

Vagus nerve

connects the medulla in the brainstem to the stomach, lungs, heart; & is associated with parasympathetic nervous system

Limbic system (midbrain )

Thalamus , amygdala ,hippocampus, hypothalamus

Thalamus

gateway for sensory information

Amygdala

emotions

Hippocampus

learning and memory

Hypothalamus

regulates automatic functions

Pre-frontal cortex

1. Executive functions 2. Cognition 3. Planning 4. Decision making 5. Sequencing 6. Goal-directed behavior 7. Independent thinking 8. Personality characteristics 9. Socially appropriate behavior

Neuron

1. A neuron is a specialized nerve cell unique to the Central Nervous System and serves as the basic building block the human brain. 2. Neurons receive, process, and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. 3. They communicate with other neurons to coordinate body functions and behavior. 4. A typical neuron consists of a cell body, dendrites that receive messages, and axon that sends messages

Anatomy of a Neuron

dendrites, cell body (soma), nucleus, axon, myelin sheath

Dendrites

receive incoming information

Cell Body (Soma)

integrates information

Axon

send messages to other neurons through electrical impulses

Myelin Sheath

speeds signal transmission

Neural pathways

are a string of neurons transmitting signals between brain regions that allow information to travel throughout the brain and nervous system.

Synaptic gap

is the gap between one neuron’s dendrite and another's neurons axon

Neural transmitters

chemical molecule messengers that allow neurons to communicate with one another across these synaptic gap. When an electrical signal reaches the end of a neuron, neurotransmitters are released and travel to a connecting neurons.

Dopamine

involved in motivation, reward, pleasure, and movement

Serotonin

helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and overall well-being.

Norepinephrine

plays a role in alertness, attention, and the body's stress response

GABA

the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter; helps reduce anxiety and overstimulation.

Neural plasticity

is the brain’s ability to change its structure and function in response to experience or learning through the strengthening or weakening of neural connections. The brain continuously changes its synaptic interconnections in response to experience known as neural plasticity. Repeated experiences influence the strength of these synaptic connections. Intentional thought and behavior can actively reshape neural architecture

Hebb's rule

When neurons fire together repeatedly, these neurons become wired together – what fires together wires together. This firing and wiring together strengthens, known as LTP (long term potentiation). When neurons stop firing together bonds weaken known as LTD (long term depotentiation).