Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
82 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
how can we view the brain?
|
with PET, MRI and CAT scans
|
|
|
what are trephined skulls?
|
in the past, mental illness was thought to be caused by association with an evil spirit- the skull was drilled open to allow the evil spirit to escape
|
|
|
what is the brain physiologically?
|
a collage of chemicals
|
|
|
what is the brain spiritually?
|
the brain has an invisible entity called the mind. the mind is not the same as the brain
|
|
|
who is Joseph Gall?
|
thought he could diagnose a mental problem by examining the skull of the patient.
|
|
|
what is phrenology?
|
theory: the shape of the skull reflects what is inside of the skull
|
|
|
who is Johann gaspar spurzheim?
|
popularized the idea of phrenology- would give lectures on the ideas central to the science of phrenology
|
|
|
who is sir arthur conan doyle?
|
an ophthalmologist who depicted sherlock holmes as having a large forehead. he also believed in fairies
|
|
|
what was the psychograph?
|
an automated method by which bumps could be measured and mapped out on an individual's head- exhibited at movie theatres. at the end of the measurement, the individual would receive a score card which explained the measurements and quantified the various characteristics that the given individual was thought to have.
|
|
|
what concept did phrenology introduce?
|
the fact that different parts of the brain had different purposes and performed different processes
|
|
|
who was phineas gage?
|
a foreman working on the railroad line who accidentally propelled an iron rod through his head. after the accident, his personality dramatically changed- he became abusive and very coarse.
|
|
|
who was dr. walter freeman?
|
one of the pioneers of brain science. he initiated brain surgery- believed that blocking out certain parts of the brain can hold a certain therapeutic effect. he experimented on people and discovered that mental illness could be improved via brain surgery
|
|
|
Rose-Marie Kennedy...
|
was lobotomized through the nose
|
|
|
what was special about einstein's brain?
|
it had a thicker lateral sulcus than the average person
|
|
|
how do nerve cells communicate with eachother?
|
chemicals are transmitted through the synapse (the region in which the axon of one neuron comes into proximity t the dendrites of another axon but d not touch)
|
|
|
what does the axon do?
|
it carries the signal from a particular neuron
|
|
|
what does the dendrite do?
|
pick up signals from other neurons
|
|
|
what are neurotransmitters synthesized from?
|
molecules that are derived from food
|
|
|
where are neurotransmitters stored?
|
in vesicles within the pre-synaptic cell
|
|
|
what happens when the function of neurons is hindered or altered?
|
the individual may develop a disease
|
|
|
what is alzheimers?
|
a disorder that gradually destroys the ability to reason, remember, imagine and learn
|
|
|
what is alzheimers marked by?
|
abnormal clumps (plaques) and irregular knots of brain cells
|
|
|
what is the incidence of alzheimers?
|
affects 1 in 10 over age 65, 1 in 2 over 85
|
|
|
why is the incidence of alzheimers increasing?
|
because people are living longer
|
|
|
what conditions lead to dementia?
|
vitamin B deficiency, impaired circulation (will cause lack of nutrients in the brain), hypothyroidism, tumors
|
|
|
what is the major cause of dementia?
|
alzheimers (but not only cause)
|
|
|
who discovered alzheimers and when?
|
alois alzheimer in 1901
|
|
|
in alzheimers disease, what causes the neurofibrillary tangles?
|
deposits of protein inside cells, and amyloid plaques develop between the cells
|
|
|
what is one of the first signs of alzheimers?
|
the ability to differentiate smells
|
|
|
what is the cause of alzheimers
|
aluminum was believed to be, as it is abundant in the tangles and desposts found in affected individuals, but this is not proven to be scientific evidence.
|
|
|
what kind of personality is less likely to develop alzheimers?
|
neat, hard-working and punctual
|
|
|
in the study with nuns, which ones were the most likely to develop alzheimers?
|
nuns with the lowest density of ideas per paragraph
|
|
|
what can we do to prevent alzheimers?
|
prevent ministrokes, folic acid, flavone, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory, omega-3, premarin, education, reduce obesity
|
|
|
what are ministrokes?
|
momentary ceasing of blood flow to the brain, causing deletion of certain parts of the brain due to lack of oxygen. can be prevented by controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
|
|
|
what is folic acid?
|
vitamin B. intake of this can reduce dementia
|
|
|
what is flavone?
|
a class of molecules found in a large variety of fruits and vegetables believed to reduce incidence of alzheimers.
|
|
|
how can deposits of alzheimers cause inflammation?
|
the body can perceive the deposits as being foreign
|
|
|
why does India have a low incidence of alzheimers?
|
Turmeric is eaten in India, which contains circumin which as anti-inflammatory properties
|
|
|
why is fish an anti-disease agent in alzheimers?
|
it contains omega-3 fats which reduce inflammation, but also contains mercury which is bad
|
|
|
what does the mediterranean diet focus on?
|
grains, fruits and vegetables, avoids consumption of fats in red meat and sugars in sweets
|
|
|
what is premarin?
|
an estrogen that is taken by menopausal women to reduce symptoms associated with menopause. predisposes women to alzheimers EXCEPT for women who are taking testosterone at the same time.
|
|
|
why is obesity linked with alzheimers moreso in women?
|
women gain weight in their ass and legs, men accumulate it in their torso area
|
|
|
what can be done to people who suffer alzheimers?
|
music, cholinesterase inibitors, glanatamine, paroxetine, seratraine, hyperzine
|
|
|
what are cholinesterase inhibitors?
|
drugs that interfere with the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is short in supply in alzheimer's patients. by reducing activity of enzymes that degrade neurotransmitters, a higher frequency of information transmission is achieved- this can help slow progression of disease symptoms
|
|
|
what are tacrine and donepezil?
|
examples of cholinesterase inhibitors. these drugs only "buy you time" but cannot reverse progression of the disease
|
|
|
how does galantamine work?
|
blocks excess glutamate activity, but its not approved by the FDA
|
|
|
what do paroxetine and seratraline do?
|
treat depression which is associated with alzheimers
|
|
|
how are agitation and delusions treated?
|
haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine
|
|
|
what is huperzine?
|
a chinese herbal medicated extracted from a plant whose structure is similar to acetylcholine- stimulated acetylcholine transmission
|
|
|
what is parkinsons disease?
|
a neurological disease that is due to a short supply of dopamine, get shaking symptoms and total immobalization eventually occurs
|
|
|
what is premarin?
|
an estrogen that is taken by menopausal women to reduce symptoms associated with menopause. predisposes women to alzheimers EXCEPT for women who are taking testosterone at the same time.
|
|
|
why is obesity linked with alzheimers moreso in women?
|
women gain weight in their ass and legs, men accumulate it in their torso area
|
|
|
what can be done to people who suffer alzheimers?
|
music, cholinesterase inibitors, glanatamine, paroxetine, seratraine, hyperzine
|
|
|
what are cholinesterase inhibitors?
|
drugs that interfere with the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is short in supply in alzheimer's patients. by reducing activity of enzymes that degrade neurotransmitters, a higher frequency of information transmission is achieved- this can help slow progression of disease symptoms
|
|
|
what are tacrine and donepezil?
|
examples of cholinesterase inhibitors. these drugs only "buy you time" but cannot reverse progression of the disease
|
|
|
how does galantamine work?
|
blocks excess glutamate activity, but its not approved by the FDA
|
|
|
what do paroxetine and seratraline do?
|
treat depression which is associated with alzheimers
|
|
|
how are agitation and delusions treated?
|
haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine
|
|
|
what is huperzine?
|
a chinese herbal medicated extracted from a plant whose structure is similar to acetylcholine- stimulated acetylcholine transmission
|
|
|
what is parkinsons disease?
|
a neurological disease that is due to a short supply of dopamine, get shaking symptoms and total immobalization eventually occurs
|
|
|
is there a cure for parkinsons?
|
no.
|
|
|
what is the drug used to fight parkinsons?
|
sinemet- breaks down into dopamine, loses its efficiency after a few years
|
|
|
why will taking dopamine orally not work in curing parkinsons disease?
|
it will not cross the blood brain barrier and thus not be absorbed into the brain.
|
|
|
what is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
|
nerve cells become disease. when myelin sheath is damaged, nerve transmission is compromised.
|
|
|
is there a cure for MS?
|
no
|
|
|
what substances in the environment can interfere with nerve cell function?
|
mercury, lead
|
|
|
how is mercury released into the air?
|
burning coal, washed down by rain into the water, eaten by fihs which we then eat
|
|
|
how is lead released into the environment?
|
as water flows through aqueduct pipes, it dissolved some of the lead, which got into the water, some wine cups made out of lead
|
|
|
what is the 10% myth?
|
a myth that entails we only use 10% of our brain, and if we could learn to use the rest of it we would be much smarter
|
|
|
who is uri geller?
|
a magician backing up teh 10% myth, who tricked people into believing he could bend metal with his mind.
|
|
|
who is dr. michael persinger?
|
exposes human brains to very strong magnetic fields, and is able to trigger visions in peoples minds. he has developed a helmet with mgnets in specific places that can be activated to trigger specific visions
|
|
|
what is transcranial direct current stimlation?
|
a technique that uses electrodes on the head. can trigger different thoughts and is similar to shock therapy
|
|
|
what really happens with the placebo effect?
|
endorphins are released- thoughts can trigger the release of these endorphins
|
|
|
what is good brain food?
|
fish due to omega-3 acids
|
|
|
why are omega-3 fats so good?
|
it prevents beta-amyloid deposits. once it gets into the bloodstream it attaches to 2 hydroxy groups allowing it to become a neuroprotecti
|
|
|
how much omega 3 acid should one consume during pregnancy?
|
1000 mg of omega-3 per day
|
|
|
what are alternatives to fish if you want to consume omega -3?
|
caviar, light tuna, alpha-linolenic, nuts,
|
|
|
what is so good about folic acid?
|
55% deduction risk in developing alzheimers, memory and processing spped is improved
|
|
|
what are good sources of folic acid?
|
chickpeas, spinach, fruit, dietary supplements of folic acid
|
|
|
what are other sources of brain improvement?
|
ginko biloba (increases cerebral circulation) sage (good for memory) exercising your brain (puzzles, chess, bridge- improve circulation)
|
|
|
what is neuroplasticity?
|
the capability of the brain to make connections and forge links
|
|
|
what did research show about milk chocolate?
|
people eating milk chocolate improved cognitive performance, but bad in terms of cardiovascular disease.
|
