Neuron

The structure of the cerebral cortex The cerebral cortex is the cerebrum’s outer layer. It is divided into two cortices, the left and the right cerebral hemispheres divided by the medial longitudinal fissure. The cerebral cortex plays a major role in memory, attention, perception, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness. The human cerebral cortex is thick about 2-4mm.The cerebral cortex is gray matter, consisting mainly of cell bodies and capillaries. It contrasts with the underlying…

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a steady decline of cognitive ability, behavioural and physical capabilities, which can be linked to characteristic pathophysiological changes in the brain. An epidemiological study have found that Alzheimer’s disease is the prominent cause of all dementia cases, accounting for more than 50% or all reported cases of dementia (Dong et al, 2012). The originating cause of this dreadful disease has been determined to be due to not just one…

acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with the memory. The reduction in choline acetyltransferase is related to the numbers of neuritic plaques and severity of dementia (Grossman & Porth, 2014). In typical Alzheimer’s disease, the death of neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert leads to the deficit in acetyl choline. The mutations in three genes – the amyloid precursor protein gene on chromosome 21; presenilin-1, a gene on chromosome 14; and presenilin-2, a gene on…

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of a drugs that are used to treat psychiatric disorders (Hetirck, et aL. 1). The most common use for SSRIs are for major depressive orders and anxiety. Many Americans commonly use SSRIs to help with moderate to severe symptoms that present in a patient with a mental illness. Due to the beneficial properties found in SSRIs, they are used to treat the brains affected areas, repair nerve damage, and improve overall wellbeing. In simpler…

as some treatments for the disorder. Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects the control of muscle movement. It is caused by a loss of specialized nerve cells, called motor neurons, in the spinal cord and the part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord. The loss of motor neurons leads to weakness and wasting (atrophy) of muscles used for activities such as crawling and walking. It is a hereditary disease that causes weakness to the muscles of the arms and legs of…

harm the fetus (2). Lead has been shown to have negative effects on the immune system (3). Lead is primarily a neurotoxin, harming the central nervous system, primarily the hippocampus inside the brain, and interfering with “communications” between neurons in the brain…

ALS and CTEs are starting to become an awareness in today's world with the help of challenges like ice bucket challenge, and as we notice well known athletes are being diagnosed with these diseases. There are different types of CTEs that affect your brain in different ways but can show similar symptoms also, and ALS is a heart breaking disease to have. Understanding what each brain harming disease is a way of help raising awareness of the diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as…

susceptible to disease. Reserve capacity declines. Although the brain changes with age, the changes are usually modest. They include loss or shrinkage of nerve cells and a general slowing of responses. However, the brain also seems able to grow new neurons and build new connections late in life. Visual and hearing problems may interfere with daily life but often can be corrected. Irreversible damage may result from age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. Losses in taste and smell may lead…

Calpain has been shown as a very prevalent protein found in a variety of organisms. There are a variety of different calpain proteins that have been discovered, each serving a different function [4]. Recent studies have indicated a correlation between the amount of calpain present and the loss of visual function due to various ocular degenerative diseases [2]. This study will be focusing on the adverse effects of calpain on the retina of mice, and how they differ from the norm. The eye is one of…

control, and sleep cycles. The midbrain also influences hearing, vision, and arousal. The midbrain is part of the CNS (wiseGEEK). The cerebellum is second in size to the cerebrum and contains folded surfaces permitting more significant amounts of neurons. Cerebella peduncles join the cerebellum to the brain stem. The primary function of the cerebellum is to control how well motor skills are completed. While accepting movements from the cerebrum the cerebellum recognizes inconsistencies and sends…