Human nervous system

Brain Fun Facts

SIZE OF THE HUMAN BRAIN
The average human brain weighs about 3 pounds (1300-1400 g).
At birth, the human brain weighs less than a pound (0.78-0.88
pounds or 350-400 g). As a child grows, the number of cell
remains relatively stable, but the cells grow in size and the
number of connections increases. The human brain reaches
its full size at about 6 years of age.

COMPOSITION OF THE BRAIN
The brain consists of gray matter (40%) and white matter (60%)
contained within the skull. Brain cells include neurons and glial
cells.

NOURISHMENT OF THE BRAIN
Although the brain is only 2% of the body's weight, it uses 20% of
the oxygen supply and gets 20% of the blood flow. Blood vessels
(arteries, capillaries, and veins) supply the brain with oxygen and
nourishment, and take away wastes.
If brain cells do not get oxygen for 3 to 5 minutes, they begin
to die.
CENTRAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(CNS)
PERIPHERAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(PNS)
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
SOMATIC
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(voluntary)
AUTONOMIC
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(involuntary)
SENSORY AND MOTOR
NEURONES TO / FROM
SKELETAL MUSCLE
MOTOR NEURONES TO
INTERNAL ORGANS
SYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(involuntary)
PARASYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM
(involuntary)
CONTROLS ORGANS IN
TIMES OR STRESS
CONTROLS ORGANS WHEN BODY IS
AT REST
The Organisation of the Nervous System
BRAIN AND
SPINAL
CORD
PERIPHERAL
NS
5
The Organisation of the Nervous System
The spinal cord (SC) runs
through the neural arches of
the vertebrae and in its centre
is a canal containing
cerebrospinal fluid.
The brain is a highly
specialised area of the SC.
See later
The spinal cord
The brain and spinal cord are
surrounded by 3 membranes
called the meninges
The meninges secrete
cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid
supplies oxygen and nutrients
and acts as a shock absorber
The meninges
Butterfly shaped area
of unmyelinated
neurones (grey)
Myelinated neurones
(white)
Canal
Lobes may vary from person to Simpson
The Brains 4 Major Regions
Cerebrum, the diencephalon, the
brainstem, and the cerebellum.
The cerebrum is divided into two halves,
called the left and right cerebral
hemispheres.
Each hemisphere is subdivided into five
functional areas called lobes.
Outer surface of an adult brain exhibits
folds called gyri (gyrus) and shallow
depressions between those folds called
sulci (sulcus).
The brain is associated with 12 pairs of
cranial nerves.


Dezvoltarea encefalului
Prosencephalon (forebrain)
Telencephalon: cerebrum
Diencephalon:epithalamus
thalamus,hypothalamus
Mesencephalon (midbrain)
Mesencephalon: cerebral peduncles,
colliculi
Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
Metencephalon: pons, cerebellum
Myelencephalon: medulla oblongata


Organizarea esutului nervos
Gray matter:
motor neuron and interneuron cell bodies, dendrites, axon
terminals
unmyelinated axons.
White matter:
composed primarily of myelinated axons.
lies deep to the gray matter of the cortex.
Within the masses of white matter:
discrete innermost clusters of gray matter called
cerebral nuclei (or basal nuclei).
are oval, spherical, or sometimes irregularly shaped
clusters of neuron cell bodies.
During brain development, an outer, superficial region of gray
matter forms from migrating peripheral neurons.
External sheets of gray matter, called the cortex, cover the
surface of most of the adult brain (the cerebrum and the
cerebellum).
Support and Protection of the Brain
The brain is protected and isolated by multiple structures:
bony cranium
Meninges:
Protective connective tissue membranes
surround and partition portions of the brain.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
acts as a cushioning fluid.
Blood-brain barrier:
prevents entry of harmful materials from the bloodstream.
Three dense regular connective tissue layers:
separate the soft tissue of the brain from the bones of the
cranium.
Enclose and protect blood vessels that supply the brain.
Contain and circulate cerebrospinal fluid.
Parts of the cranial meninges form some of the veins that drain
blood from the brain.
From superficial to deep, the cranial meninges are the dura mater,
the arachnoid, and the pia mater

Dura Mater
Tough membrane composed of two fibrous layers.
Strongest of the meninges.
Dura mater is composed of two layers.
periosteal layer, the more superficial layer, attaches to the
periosteum of the cranial bones
meningeal layer lies deep to the periosteal layer
The meningeal layer is usually fused to the periosteal layer
Exception: in specific areas where the two layers separate
to form large, blood-filled spaces called dural venous
sinuses.
Arachnoid
Also called the arachnoid mater or the arachnoid membrane.
Lies immediately internal to the dura mater.
Partially composed of a delicate web of collagen and elastic
fibers, termed the arachnoid trabeculae.
Between the arachnoid and the overlying dura mater is the
subdural space.
Immediately deep to the arachnoid is the subarachnoid space.
The innermost of the cranial meninges.
Thin layer of delicate connective tissue that tightly
adheres to the brain and follows every contour of
the brain surface.

Pia Mater
Cranial Dural Septa
The meningeal layer of the
dura mater extends as flat
partitions (septa) deep into
the cranial cavity;
at four locations
called cranial dural septa.
Membranous partitions
separate specific parts of
the brain and provide
additional stabilization and
support to the entire brain.
falx cerebri
tentorium cerebelli
falx cerebelli
diaphragma sellae
The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is the major nerve
pathway to and from the brain.
It is protected by the vertebral
column and the meninges.
31 pairs of spinal nerves branch out
from the spinal cord, connecting the
brain to the body.
Certain kinds of information, such as
reflexes, are processed directly in
the spinal cord.
A reflex is a quick, automatic
response to a stimulus. It allows the
body to respond to danger
immediately.

Brain Ventricles
Cavities or expansions within the brain that are
derived from the lumen (opening) of the embryonic
neural tube.
Continuous with one another as well as with the
central canal of the spinal cord.
Four ventricles in the brain.
two lateral ventricles are in the cerebrum, separated
by a thin medial partition called the septum
pellucidum
within the diencephalon is a smaller ventricle called
the third ventricle
each lateral ventricle communicates with the third
ventricle through an opening called the interventricular
foramen
The fourth ventricle is located within the pons and
cerebellum.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
A clear, colorless liquid that circulates in the
ventricles and subarachnoid space.
Bathes the exposed surfaces of the central nervous
system and completely surrounds it.
Performs several important functions.
buoyancy
protection
environmental stability
Formed by the choroid plexus in each ventricle.
Produced by secretion of a fluid from the ependymal
cells that originate from the blood plasma.
Is similar to blood plasma.


Cerebrum
Account for 83% of brain mass
Fissures deep grooves separate major regions of the brain
Transverse fissure separates cerebrum and cerebellum
Longitudinal fissure separates cerebral hemispheres
Sulci grooves on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres
Gyri twisted ridges between sulci
Prominent gyri and sulci are similar in all people
Deeper sulci divide cerebrum into lobes
Lobes are named for the skull bones overlying them
Central sulcus separates frontal and parietal lobes
Bordered by two gyri
Precentral gyrus
Postcentral gyrus
Parieto-occipital sulcus
Separates the occipital from the parietal lobe
Lateral sulcus
Separates temporal lobe from parietal and frontal lobes
Insula deep within the lateral sulcus

Cerebral cortex
Composed of gray matter
Neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and short axons
Folds in cortex triples its size
Approximately 40% of brains mass
Brodmann areas 52 structurally distinct areas

Cerebrum: functional areas
Home of our conscious mind
Enables us to:
Be aware of ourselves and
our sensations
Initiate and control voluntary
movements
Communicate, remember,
and understand
Three kinds of functional areas
Motor areas
Sensory areas
Association areas


Motor areas
Controls motor functions
Primary motor cortex (somatic motor area)
Located in precentral gyrus (Brodmann area 4)
Pyramidal cells large neurons of primary motor cortex
Corticospinal tracts descend through brainstem and spinal cord
Axons signal motor neurons to control skilled movements
Contralateral pyramidal axons cross over to opposite
side of the brain
Specific pyramidal cells control specific areas of the body
Face and hand muscles controlled by many pyramidal cells
Motor homunculus body map of the motor cortex


Sensory cortex
Cortical areas involved in conscious
awareness of sensation
Located in parietal, temporal, and occipital
lobes
Distinct area for each of the major senses

Sensory Areas Visual Areas
Primary visual cortex
Corresponds to Brodmann area 17
Located deep within the calcarine sulcus
On the posterior and medial part of the occipital
lobe
Receives visual information that originates on the
retina
First of a series of areas that interprets visual input
Visual association area
Surrounds the primary visual area
Coincides with Brodmann areas 18 and 19
Continues the processing of visual information
Complex visual processing extends into:
Temporal and parietal lobes

Sensory Areas Auditory Areas
Primary auditory cortex
Function conscious awareness of sound
Location superior edge of the temporal
lobe
Corresponds to Brodmann areas 41 and 42
Auditory association area
Lies posterior to the primary auditory cortex
Located within Brodmann area 22
Permits evaluation of different sounds
Lies in the center of Wernickes area
Involved in recognizing and understanding
speech

Sensory Areas Gustatory Cortex
Involved in the conscious awareness of taste
stimuli
Corresponds to Brodmann area 43
Located on the roof of the lateral sulcus
Sensory Areas Vestibular Cortex
Located in the posterior part of the insula
Deep to the lateral sulcus
Sensory Areas Olfactory Cortex
Lies on the medial aspect of the cerebrum
Located in a region called the piriform lobe
Olfactory nerves transmit impulses to the olfactory
cortex
Provides conscious awareness of smells
Part of the rhinencephalon nose brain
Includes the piriform lobe, olfactory tract, and
olfactory bulb
Connects the brain to the limbic system
Explains why smells trigger emotions
Orbitofrontal cortex
Involved with consciously identifying and recalling
specific smells

Association areas
Make associations between different types
of sensory information
Associate new sensory input with
memories of past experiences
New name for association areas higher
order processing areas
Association Areas Prefrontal Cortex
Large region of the frontal lobe anterior to motor areas
Performs cognitive functions
All aspects of thinking and perceiving
Remembering and recalling information
Also related to mood
Has close links to the limbic part of the forebrain
Functional neuroimaging techniques
Reveal functions of specific parts of the prefrontal cortex
Anterior pole of frontal cortex
Active in solving the most complex problems
The farther rostrally one goes in the CNS, the more complex the
neural functions
Functional areas located on the medial side of the frontal lobe
Regions anterior to the corpus callosum
Involved in complex personal and social interactions
Regions superior to the corpus callosum
Involved in mentalization


Association Areas General Interpretation Area
Function is currently under investigation
Located at the interface of:
The visual, auditory, and
somatosensory association areas
Newer studies show most of this region is
involved in the visual processing of spatial
relationships
Association Areas Language Area
Surrounds the lateral sulcus in the left cerebral
hemisphere
Five parts have been identified
Brocas area speech production
Wernickes area speech comprehension
Lateral prefrontal cortex conceptual analysis of
spoken words
Five parts have been identified (continued)
Most of the lateral and inferior temporal lobe
Coordination of auditory and visual aspects of
language
Parts of the insula
Initiation of word articulation
Recognition of rhymes and sound sequences

Association Areas Insula
Functions of its cortex not well understood
Some parts function in language and the sense of balance
Other parts visceral function
Conscious perception of:
Upset stomach
Full bladder
Some aspects of the sense of smell
Cerebral White Matter
Different areas of the cerebral cortex communicate:
With each other
With the brainstem and spinal cord
Fibers are usually myelinated and bundled into tracts
Types of tracts
Commissures composed of commissural fibers
Allows communication between cerebral
hemispheres
Corpus callosum the largest commissure
Association fibers - Connect different parts of the
same hemisphere
Projection fibers run vertically
Descend from the cerebral cortex
Ascend to the cortex from lower regions


Basal nuclei
A group of nuclei deep within the cerebral white matter
Caudate nucleus arches over the thalamus
Lentiform nucleus lens shaped
Amygdala sits on top of the caudate nucleus
Functionally belongs with the limbic system
Lentiform nucleus - Divided into two parts
Globus pallidus
Putamen
Cooperate with the cerebral cortex in controlling movements
Receive input from many cortical areas
Evidence shows that they:
Start, stop, and regulate intensity of voluntary movements
In some way estimate the passage of time


The Diencephalon
Forms the center core of the forebrain
Surrounded by the cerebral hemispheres
Composed of three paired structures:
Thalamus, hypothalamus, and
epithalamus
Border the third ventricle
Primarily composed of gray matter
The Thalamus
Makes up 80% of the diencephalon
Contains approximately a dozen major nuclei
Send axons to regions of the cerebral cortex
Nuclei act as relay stations for incoming
sensory messages
Afferent impulses converge on the thalamus
Synapse in at least one of its nuclei
Is the gateway to the cerebral cortex
Nuclei organize and amplify or tone down
signals

The Hypothalamus
Lies between the optic chiasm and the
mammillary bodies
Pituitary gland projects inferiorly
Contains approximately a dozen nuclei
Main visceral control center of the
body
Functions include the following:
Control of the autonomic nervous
system
Control of emotional responses
Regulation of body temperature
Regulation of hunger and thirst
sensations
Control of behavior
Regulation of sleep-wake cycles
Control of the endocrine system
Formation of memory

The Epithalamus
Forms part of the roof of
the third ventricle
Consists of a tiny group of
nuclei
Includes the pineal gland
(pineal body)
Secretes the hormone
melatonin
Under influence of the
hypothalamus
The Brain Stem
Includes the midbrain, pons, and
medulla oblongata
Several general functions
Produces automatic behaviors
necessary for survival
Passageway for all fiber tracts running
between the cerebrum and spinal cord
Heavily involved with the innervation of
the face and head
10 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves attach to
it
The Midbrain
Lies between the diencephalon and the pons
Central cavity the cerebral aqueduct
Cerebral peduncles located on the ventral surface of the brain
Contain pyramidal (corticospinal) tracts
Superior cerebellar peduncles- Connect midbrain to the cerebellum
Periaqueductal gray matter surrounds the cerebral aqueduct
Involved in two related functions
Fright-and-flight reaction
Mediates response to visceral pain
Corpora quadrigemina the largest nuclei, divided into
Superior colliculi nuclei that act in visual reflexes
Inferior colliculi nuclei that act in reflexive response to sound
Imbedded in the white matter of the midbrain, presents two pigmented
nuclei
Substantia nigra neuronal cell bodies contain melanin, Functionally
linked to the basal nuclei
Red nucleus lies deep to the substantia nigra, Largest nucleus of
the reticular formation



48
The Pons
Located between the
midbrain and medulla
oblongata
Contains the nuclei of
cranial nerves V, VI,
and VII
Two general groups of
cranial nerve nuclei
Motor nuclei
Sensory nuclei
The Medulla Oblongata
Most caudal level of the brain stem
Continuous with the spinal cord
Choroid plexus lies in the roof of the fourth
ventricle
Pyramids of the medulla lie on its ventral
surface
Decussation of the pyramids crossing
over of motor tracts
Cranial nerves VIIIXII attach to the medulla
The core of the medulla contains:
Much of the reticular formation
Nuclei influence autonomic functions
Visceral centers of the reticular formation
include:
Cardiac center
Vasomotor center
The medullary respiratory center
Centers for hiccupping, sneezing,
swallowing, and coughing

The Cerebellum Located dorsal to the pons and medulla
Smoothes and coordinates body
movements
Helps maintain equilibrium
Consists of two cerebellar hemispheres
Surface folded into ridges called folia
Separated by fissures
Hemispheres each subdivided into:
Anterior lobe
Posterior lobe
Composed of three regions
Cortex gray matter
Internal white matter
Deep cerebellar nuclei deeply
situated gray matter
Cerebellum must receive information
On equilibrium
On current movements of limbs, neck,
and trunk
From the cerebral cortex

Cerebellar Peduncles
Fibers to and from the cerebellum
are ipsilateral
Run to and from the same side of
the body
Thick tracts connecting the
cerebellum to the brain stem
Superior cerebellar peduncles
Middle cerebellar peduncles
Inferior cerebellar peduncles
Functional Brain Systems
Networks of neurons functioning together
The limbic system spread widely in the forebrain
The reticular formation spans the brain stem
The Limbic System
Location
Medial aspect of cerebral hemispheres
Also within the diencephalon
Composed of:
Septal nuclei, cingulate gyrus, and hippocampal
formation
Part of the amygdala
The fornix and other tracts link the limbic system
together
The emotional brain
Cingulate gyrus
Allows us to shift between thoughts
Interprets pain as unpleasant
Hippocampal formation
Hippocampus and the parahippocampal gyrus

The Reticular Formation
The Reticular Formation
Widespread connections - Ideal for arousal of the brain as
a whole
Reticular activating system (RAS)
Maintains consciousness and alertness
Functions in sleep and arousal from sleep
Brain Functions
Vision
Taste
Cognition
Emotion
Speech
Language
Hearing
Motor Cortex
Sensory Cortex
Autonomic Functions
Vision
The visual cortex resides in the occipital lobe of the brain.
Sensory impulses travel from the eyes via the optic nerve to the visual cortex.
Damage to the visual cortex can result in blindness.
Taste
The gustatory complex (green circle) is the part of the sensory cortex (purple area)
that is responsible for taste.
Cognition
The prefrontal cortex is involved with intellect, complex learning, and personality.
Injuries to the front lobe can cause mental and personality changes.
Emotion
Emotions are an extremely complex brain function. The
emotional core of the brain is the limbic system. This is where
senses and awareness are first processed in the brain.
Mood and personality are mediated through the prefrontal
cortex. This part of the brain is the center of higher cognitive and
emotional functions.
Prefrontal cortex
Limbic system
Speech
Brocas area is where we formulate speech and the area of the
brain that sends motor instructions to the motor cortex.
Injury to Brocas area can cause difficulty in speaking. The individual
may know what words he or she wishes to speak, but will be unable
to do so.
Brocas Area
Language
Wernickes area is a specialized portion of the parietal lobe that
recognizes and understands written and spoken language.
Wernickes area surrounds the auditory association area.
Damage to this part of the brain can result in someone hearing speech,
but not understanding it.
Wernickes Area
Auditory Association Area
Hearing
There are two auditory areas of the brain:
The primary auditory area (brown circle) is
what detects sounds that are transmitted from
the ear. It is located in the sensory cortex.
The auditory association area (purple circle)
is the part of the brain that is used to
recognize the sounds as speech, music, or
noise.
Motivational systems
HUNGER

THIRST

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
Hunger
LACK OF
FOOD
REDUCED
AVAILABILITY
OF GLUCOSE
CONTRACTIONS
OF EMPTY
STOMACH
LOW
TRIGLYCERIDE
LEVELS
IN FAT CELLS
GLUCOSE
RECEPTORS
IN HYPOTHALAMUS
MECHANO-
RECEPTORS
IN STOMACH
PANCREAS
HUNGER
Thirst
WATER
DEFICIENCY
OSMORECEPTORS
IN SUPRAOPTIC
AND SUPRA-
VENTRICULAR
NUCLEI OF
HYPOTHALAMUS
THIRST
ADH
SERETION
BY PITUITARY
WATER
RETENTION
BY KIDNEY
Sexual behavior
Anterior hypothalamus receives
input from de receptors stimulated by
feromones
Androgens determine release of
luteinizing hormones, cyclic or
constant
Brain Plasticity
The ability of the brain to change as a result of
experience, drugs, or injury.
Collateral sprouting: growth of new neuron
branches
Substitution of function: other areas of the brain
take over for damaged areas
Neurogenesis: generating new neurons

Learning takes place in the brain.
However, various parts of the
brain function differently and
provide localized areas for the
retention of diverse types of
knowledge.
Human Memory System
3 memory processes
Encoding getting information into memory
Storage keeping the information in memory
Retrieval getting the information back out
Expert learners have successful strategies for using the first
two processes which makes the last one more probable.
Types of Memory
Sensory Store how information enters
Gatekeeper of the mind
Much of this is ignored.
Short-term Memory working memory
Decays after 30 seconds
Can be renewed through maintenance rehearsal
Limited capacity (5-9 items)
Can be expanded through chunking (ex.SSN)
Long-term Memory What you know
Unlimited capacity, unlimited duration
Must be retrieved before used (cues)

Two Basic Memory Processes
Declarative memory
Facts and events
Occurs primarily in brain systems involving
the hippocampus
Procedural memory
Skills or cognitive operations that cannot be
represented in declarative sentences
Occurs primarily in the brain systems
involving the neostriatum
The brain is divided into two halves or hemispheres
identified as right and left.
The left hemisphere
iconsidered analytic in approach
A successive processor (left
brain) prefers to learn in a
step-by-step sequential
format, beginning with details
leading to a conceptual
understanding of a skill.

This part of the brain controls and makes the final
decisions concerning information collected
throughout the brain.
At the same time, the left hemisphere
simultaneously inhibits the visual-spatial
right brains cognitive and decision making
processes.
Conversely and concurrently
The right brain

described as holistic or
global. A simultaneous
processor ( right brain)
prefers to learn beginning
with the general concept
and then going on to
specifics.

a left brain person is
1. Verbal
2. Responds to word meaning
3. Sequential
4. Processes information linearly
5. Responds to logic
6. Plans ahead
7. Recall people's names
8. Speak with few gestures
9. Punctual
10. Prefer formal study design
11. Prefer bright lights while
studying


For example
Lets
meet a
week
from
today to
talk
about
this.
If this is true, then it is
logical that we
Because left-brain thinkers are logical and
practical, they are also
Ruled by facts
Detail oriented
Users of words and language
Focused on the present and past
Perceive order & pattern
Reality based
Strategy Formulators

a right brain person is
1. Visual
2. Responds to tone of voice
3. Random
4. Processes information in varied order
5. Responds to emotion
6. Impulsive
7. Recall peoples faces
8. Gesture while speaking
9. Less punctual
10. Prefer sound/ music background while
studying
11. Prefer frequent mobility while studying



Because right-brain thinkers are intuitive and
willing to take risks, they are also
Imaginative
Big Picture oriented
Users of symbols and
images
Focused on the present
and future
Spatially perceptive
Fantasy based
Presenters of Possibility

Specific learning skills are associated with right and
left brain hemispheric dominance.
LEFT BRAIN
Reading & Language
Symbols
Locating details & facts
Talking & Recitation
Following Directions
Listening
Auditory Association

RIGHT BRAIN
Computation & Patterns
Spatial Relationships
Singing & Music
Art Expression
Creativity
Visualization
Feelings & Emotions

brain dominance is concerned with ways of perceiving,
processing, and organizing information and
experiences.
Adolescent brain development
Underdevelopment of the frontal lobe/prefrontal cortex and
the limbic system make adolescents more prone to behave
emotionally or with gut reactions
Adolescents tend to use an alternative part of the brain the
AMYGDALA (emotions) rather than the prefrontal cortex
(reasoning) to process information
Amygdala and nucleus acumbens (limbic system within the
prefrontal cortex) tend to dominate the prefrontal cortex
functions this results in a decrease in reasoned thinking and
an increase in impulsiveness
Because of immature brains, adolescents do not handle
social pressure, instinctual urges, and other stresses the way
adults do
A major part of adolescence is learning how to assess risk
and consequences adolescents are not yet skilled at
these tasks

Hot and cold cognition
Thoughts and emotions are intertwined teens need to
develop a balance between cognitive and affective systems
of the brain
COLD cognition refers to thinking under conditions of low
emotions and/or arousal
HOT cognition refers to thinking under conditions of strong
feelings or arousal
Decisions made under conditions of strong affect are
difficult to influence by cool rational thought alone
Decision making in teens cannot be fully understood without
considering the role of emotions and the interaction
between thinking and feeling
Teen decisions are unlikely to emerge from a logical
evaluation of the risk/benefits of a situation rather
decisions are the result of a complex set of competing
feelings desire to look cool, fear of being rejected, anxiety
about being caught, excitement of risk, etc.

Mental Disorders
Creates problems with feeling, thinking and perception.
Affects a persons behavior by involuntarily causing bizarre
and/or inappropriate behavior.
Are primarily brain disorders.
Can be short term (acute) or long term (chronic).
Can occur at anytime in a persons life.
Associated with distress, or
With significant increased risk of suffering death, pain,
disability, or an important loss of freedom.
Not an expected response to a particular event (e.g., death
of a spouse).
Current manifestation of a behavioral, psychological, or
biological dysfunction.



Categorization of Mental Disorders
Delirium
Psihotic disorders
Dementia
Cognitive disorders
Affective disorders
Anxiety disorders
Personality disorders
Substance abuse/dependence.
Impulse control disorders.
Adjustment disorders.
Sexual disorders

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse
Abuse and Dependence Both Defined as Mental
Disorder in DSM IV.
Dependence is Pattern of Use Causing Impairment or
Distress Including
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Increasing Amounts Over Longer Time
Unsuccessful Attempts to Control Use
Time Spent Obtaining, Using, Recovering
Activities Given Up Due to Use
Continued Use Despite Problems

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse:
Long term use can result in deteriorated
functioning.
Can cause:
Depression.
Dementia.
Anxiety disorders.
Use and withdrawal can cause acute
psychotic symptoms.
Addiction is chronic, progressive, & terminal.

Mental Retardation
Below Average Intellectual
Functioning.
Begins Before Age 18, Usually
Present at Birth.
Unrelated to Other Mental Illness.
Impaired Social-living Adaptation &
Functioning:
Personal care & hygiene.
Money management.
Leisure activities.
Social relationships.

The Brain - Function
Shrinkage of brain tissue.
Ventricles enlarge. short-term memory begins to
decline ability to perform routine tasks also
declines.
Emotional outbursts may occur and language is
impaired. Progressively more nerve cells die
with subsequent behaviour changes, such as
wandering and agitation.
The ability to recognize faces and to
communicate is completely lost in the final
stages. Patients lose bowel and bladder
control, and eventually need constant care.
The average length of time from diagnosis to
death is 4 to 8 years, but can take 20
Alois
Alzheimer
Alzheimers disease
First recorded by Alzheimer after studying the
brain of a woman who had died after
suffering dementia in 1906.
89
The Brain - Function
Ageing. Less than 1 in 1000 people < 65 have Alzheimer's. 1
in 20 > 65 has!
A small proportion of sufferers have a genetic (familial) form
A varied and active life may help avoid Alzheimers.
Severe blows to the head (especially in the over 50s) may increase the
chance of developing the disease
Smoking and high cholesterol may also be risk factors for Alzheimers
Future therapy?
A vaccine to break down the amyloid plaques? Trials in mice
An inhibitor of the membrane enzyme that breaks down APP into A?
Risk factors
Alzheimers
..WISH YOU GOOD LUCK IN
MANAGING YOU BRAIN