Our friend, “The Brain”

1. Our friend, “The Brain” Toni Vandhana Shereen

2. Function • The nervous system maintains body homeostasis with electrical signals; provides for sensation, higher mental functioning, emotional response; and activates muscles and glands.

3. Terminology • Central Nervous System (CNS): the body’s primary information processing system; includes the brain and spinal cord • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): network of nerves carrying signals into and out of the CNS. • Neuron: nerve cell; basic unit of nervous tissue • Interneurons: integrates sensory information and sends motor commands • Motor Neuron: carries signals from the central nervous system to muscle or gland cells.

4. Terminology Continued • Reflex: rapid, automatic response to a stimulus • Response: reaction to an event • Sensory Neuron: carries information from the environment to the CNS • Stimulus: environmental change that triggers a reaction • Axon: carries electric impulses away from the cell body and toward other cells • Dendrites: receives signals and carries them toward the cell body

5. Terminology Continued • Myelin sheath: thick coat of material that surrounds and insulates the axon of some neurons • Neurotransmitter:chemical that carries information from one neuron to another or to another cell • Synapse: where two neurons meet and electrical or chemical signals are relayed between the two

6. Terminology Continued • Autonomic Nervous System: carries signals to internal organs • Somatic Nervous System: carries signals from the CNS to skeletal muscles

7. Major Organ & Functions • Major Organ: The Brain -Parts & Functions:

8. Parts & Functions of the Brain Parietal Lobe • Cognition • Information Processing • Pain and Touch Sensation • Spatial Orientation • Speech • Visual Perception Occipital lobe: receives visual input Temporal Lobe: receives auditory input Frontal Lobe: controls advanced cognition such as problem solving.

9. Parts & Functions of the Brain • Corpus Callosum: connects the left & right hemispheres • Ventricles: The ventricles are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which help absorb physical shocks to the brain and provide nutritive materials. • Cerebrum: The cerebrum directs the conscious all voluntary movement. • Cerebellum: controls balance and coordination • Brain Stem (Medulla Oblogata, Pons, Midbrain): controls autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart, ect.

10. Neurons • A neuron is a nerve cell; the basic unit of nervous tissue. • There are three types of neurons: Sensory Neuron: nerve cell that carries information from the environment to the CNS Interneurons: nerve cell located entirely in the central nervous system that integrates sensory information and sends motor commands Motor Neuron: nerve cell that carries signals from the central nervous system to muscle or gland cells.

11. Narcolepsy • Description: is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks. • Mode of Action: Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder. The exact cause is unknown. • Prevention: There is no known way to prevent narcolepsy. • Treatment:There is no known cure for narcolepsy. -Eating light meals -planning naps to control daytime sleep -Antidepressant medications such as venlafaxine • Prognosis: Narcolepsy is chronic condition, however, not deadly • Diagnosis: -Insomnia and other sleep disorders -Genetic testing to look for narcolepsy gene -Sleep study (polysomnogram)

12. Sleep Paralysis Description: a phenomenon in which people, either when falling asleep or waking up, temporarily experience an inability to move. Mode of Action: Although there are several theories, the actual cause of sleep paralysis is still unknown.  Prevention: Avoid irregular sleep patterns and get plenty of sleep. Treatment: A number of medications, usually those affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin, appear to reduce or even eliminate SP episodes. Avoid stress, substance abuse, and irregular sleeping patterns. Diagnosis: unable to move or speak for a few seconds or minutes when falling asleep or waking up

13. Bipolar Disordera.k.a. (maniac depression) • is a brain disorder that is characterized with long periods of mania (extreme happiness) along with long periods of depression (hopelessness). Causes: • If one parents has bipolar disorder, the offspring have 15-25% of having the condition. • Dysfunction of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. • Environmental factors such as drug abuse.

14. Bipolar Disorder • Prognosis Bipolar disorder can be severe and long-term, or it can be mild with infrequent episodes. The average patient has 8-10 maniac/depressive episodes in a life time. • Diagnosis criteria include the presence of manic, depressive, or mixed episodes, how frequently these symptoms occur, and how often they last. • Treatment Antidepressants such as Lithium and Prozac.