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46 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the three scans we use to view the brain?
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PET, CAT, MRI
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How long ago was brain surgery practiced? What was most commonly done?
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100s of years ago. Trephined skulls (hole in the skull) to let out the evil spirit.
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What are the two ways to look at the brain?
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spiritually (mind)and physiologically (collage of chemicals)
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What was Franz-Joseph Gall (1858-1828)?
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Thought he could diagnose a mental problem by examining hte skull of the patient. Thought the shape of the skull reflected what was inside of the skull
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What is Phrenology?
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Thought the shape of the skull reflected what was inside of the skull. Could deduce people's personalities and potential for success etc
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What was Johann Gaspar Spurzheim?
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popularized the idea of phrenology
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Who was Phineas Gage?
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Foreman working on railroad line god iron rod through his head. After personality dramatically changed - prompted researchers to understand how brain functions
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Who was Dr. Walter Freeman?
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Initiated brain surgery: believed that blocking out certain parts of hte brain can hold a certain therapeutic effect. Used hammer and chisel late into 1950s
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What is the brain?
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a pool of neurons which have a cell body with short dendrites and long protruding axon tails.
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What is our nervous system?
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a complicated matrix of the neuron cells.
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How do nerve cells communicate?
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transmitting chemical signals through the synapse. Axon carries signal from a neuron and dendrites pick up signals from other neurons. Neuronal signal transmitted with chemical neurotransmitters
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How are neurotransmitters synthesized?
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from molecules that are derived from food
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What is Alzheimer's?
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Disorder that destroys the ability to reason, remember, imagine and learn. Marked by abnormal clumps (plaques) and irregular knots of brain cells.
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What often accompanies Alzheimers?
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anxiety, depression, and/or paranoia.
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How many does Alzheimer's affect over 65? over 85? How many does it affect in north america? How much is lifetime cost per patient?
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1 in 10, 1 in 2 5 million 200,000
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What is Dementia?
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loss of the mind, thinking, reasoning, remembering abilities.
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What are the conditions that are reversible that can lead to dementia?
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Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Impaired Circulation (since main source of energy for brain is glucose), Hypothroidism and Tumors
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What is the main cause of dementia?
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Alzheimer's
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What happens to the neurons in Alzheimer's and what are the tangles and plaques?
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the neurons are interfered with by neurofibre tangles and plaque formation in and around the nerve cells. The neurofibrillary tangles are deposits of proteins inside of cells and the amyloid plaques develop between the cells (in synapse)
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Who first noted the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
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Alois Alzheimer in 1901
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What is PET?
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Positron Emission Tomography is a scan that can identify patients with Alzheimer's. Radioactive materials are given to individual to see where metabolic activity (proteins) is concentrated in different parts of body
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What are MRIs used for in terms of Alzheimer's?
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They identify protein deposits within the brain
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What is one of the first signs of Alzheimer's?
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the inability to differentiate smells
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What is the cause of Alzheimer's?
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the genetic component, but not very significant. Aluminum is possibility because it is abundant in tangles and deposits in individuals. Correlation with personality types. Linked with ministrokes and obesity
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What are ministrokes?
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momentary ceasing of blood flow to the brain, causing deletion of certain parts of the brain due to lack of oxygen. Must control blood pressure and cholesterol to avoid these
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What makes patients less prone to Alzheimer's?
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taking statins (lower cholesterol), increase intake of folic acid (vitamin b because lowers homocysteine level), increase intake in flavone (found in strawberries, cranberries etc), Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory), omega-3s (mostly in fish)
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Why do they think India has less cases of Alzheimer's?
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greater intake of Tumeric (in curry)
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What do they say aids Alzheimer's patients?
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music.
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What drugs do they approach Alzheimer's with?
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Cholinesterase Inhibitors: drugs that interefere with the enzyme that breaks down Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that is short in supply in Alzheimer's patients. It helps slow the progression of the disease's symptoms Cognex and Aricept are examples.
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What is Galantamine?
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extract from a flower put in Ebixa works by blocking excess Glutamate Activity which is another neurotransmitter
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What are the early stages of Alzheimer's and what do they use to treat them?
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Depression (use Paxil and Zoloft), Agitation and Delusions (Haldol)
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What is parkinson's disease?
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a neurological disease. The neurotransmitter dopamine is in short supply. If isn't enough Dopamine to stimulate the Dopamine receptors, get characteristic shaking. Total immobilization eventually occurs.
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What is usually correlated with Parkinson's?
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heavy exposure to pesticides
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What drug is used to fight Parkinson's?
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Sinemet because travels to the brain and breaks down into Dopamine but eventually it looses efficiency
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Why can't one take Dopamine orally?
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It will not cross the blood brain barrier and not be absorbed into the brain.
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What is Multiple Sclerosis?
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Neurological disease. It is related to the myelin sheath becoming damaged which is covering on the nerve cell axons. No sure for MS
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When are MS cases more common and what may this indicate?
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More frequent further from equator may be because of Vitamin D because sun allows our bodies to produce it.
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What are some materials that can interfere with nerve cell function?
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Mercury and Lead
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What is the history of mercury as a neurotoxin?
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Hatters made felt by rubbing wool with a Mercury compound and they would become mentally impaired. When you burn coal it releases smal amounts of mercury into air which is washed down by rain into the water and end up in fish which we eat. The larger the fish the more mercury contaminated it is.
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What is the history of lead as a neurotoxin?
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Romans had issues with lead because their aquedeuct pipes were made of lead as well as cups of lead, say helped lead to downfall. We have to have less than 10 parts per billion of lead in water. Water filters such as Brita will remove Lead from water.
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What is the 10% myth?
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That we only use 10% of our brain. Uri Geller the magician backed this up. We actually use different parts for different purposes.
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Who is Dr. Michael Persinger?
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Exposes human human brains to strong magnetic fields and triggers visions in people's mind.
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What is Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation?
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uses electrodes to the head to trigger different thoughts. In future could wear helments to enhance our intelligence.
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What has Dr. Nick Bazan found?
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the molecular structure of Omega 3-fats contain DHA and once in the blood stream become two hydroxy groups to become a Neuroprotectin. Flax and nuts also contain Omega-3
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What kind of Acid is essential? What food items contain this?
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Folic acid. Whole grains, chickpeas, spinach, fruits
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What are advertised sources of brain health?
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Ginko Biloba: can increase cerbral circulation but not improved memory performance. Sage: improves performance on memory tests.
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