Week 2 The nervous system

In lecture, I have been learning just how complex the nervous system is. Although the nervous system is one of our smallest systems, it is the most complex and it controls everyting we see, feel think and do. The nervous system is responsible for all of our perceptions, memories, and movements. I learned that there are two main subdivisions of the nervous system. This includes the nentral nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system which includes all nervous tissue outside the CNS, spinal and cranial nerves.
There are different functions of the nervous system including sensory, integrative, and motor function. In Sensory function, sensory receptors detect internal stimuli. There are sensory/afferent neurons. These neurons carry inpulses toward the CNS. With Integration, the nervous system integrates/processes sensory information recieved from afferent neurons by analyzing it, storing it and making decisions for appropriate responses. The nervous system's motor function involves responding to integration decision made by interneurons. Efferent neurons carry impulses from the brain toward the spinal cord to cranial or spinal nerves.

During Lecture, we briefly discussed some central nervous system diseases such as bipolar disease and schizophrenia. My brother in Law is 18 years old and has cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy in also a disease of the central nervous system. I have been able to see first hand the effects of this disease but I never quite understood the cause. Discussing the complex system of the CNS in lecture has really made me want to learn more about this disease.

I googled cerebral palsy online and learned some interesting facts. Cerebral palsy is a disorder of the nervous system. Movements of the body and coordination of muscles are disturbed due to damage to specific areas of the brain that occurs during fetal development. It is caused by injuries to the cerebrum which is the largest part of the brain. It cannot be cured but through education, therapy, patients can be made to lead a productive life. My brother in law goes to physical therapy every week and I have noticed that the more he goes, the more strength he has in his legs. He wears braces on his legs that help with ambulation. I once thought this disease only affected muscular movement and coordnation. I now know that some, although not all, children with cerebral palsy are affected by mental retardation. Generally, the more severe the retardation, the more severe the disability overall.

My brother in law is one of the sweetest, most loving person that I know. Despite his disabilities, education on the disease helps his family give him a happy and close to normal life. My brother in Law has recently won some metals doing horse back riding in the special olympics in Florida which is just one of the signs that through medicine, science and education we can continue to help him and other people with Central nervous symptoms live the best quality of life as possible.

week 1 lecture- Components of the Neuron

We are currently discussing neurons and the way impulses are generated throughout our body to relay messages. We are learning the components of a neuron, it's surroundings and how they impact our daily living. I learned that neurons have a cell body, dendrites and an axon. One thing that I found interesting that is part of the make up of neurons are neuroglia. Neuroglia constitute about half the volume of the CNS. Brain tumors derived from glia, called gliomas tend to be highly malignant and to grow rapidly. About 1 1/2 years ago, my mother was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor. Prior to finding this, changes in my moms health, behavior and daily living seemed to change drastically. For about a year prior to the MRI that diagnosed my mom with a brain tumor, she experienced dizziness and feelings of being off balance on almost a daily basis. At this point, my mother was told that she had vertigo. After dealing with these symptoms for almost a year, she began to develop new symptoms. My mom began to have memory problems, forgetting even small things like pouring a cup of coffee. She seemed to be having an increase in difficulty concentrating. She also had the feeling of a band of pressure over her forehead. The type of brain Tumor that my mom was diagnosed with was an meningioma. Meningiomas affect the CNS by compressing brain tissue, nerves or associated structures causing reactive swelling in brain tissue which can block the flow of cerbrospinal fluid. My mom is doing ok and is being watched for further symptoms or growth of the tumor. Understanding the affects damage to your CNS can cause and reporting symptoms to your doctor, can help in diagnosing and treatment of CNS diseases.