Neurology

What is Neurology? Neurology is the study of disorders that concern the nervous system, which is an intricate system that regulates and coordinates the body’s activities. It specifically involves the central nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord, and it also involves the peripheral nervous system that consists of sensory receptors, including the eyes and ears as well as other body parts. The brain’s main function is to control the body’s ability to perform certain actions by sending electrical and chemical signals to transmit messages to the other parts of the body, which is passed through the pathway of the spinal cord. There are several different aspects of neurology, but this article will only be explaining a few of these topics. ​ Parts of the Brain: Frontal lobe - Deals with problem-solving, judgment, and motor function Parietal Lobe - Deals with sensation, handwriting, and body positioning Temporal Lobe - Deals with memory and hearing Occipital Lobe - Deals with the brain’s visual processing system Brain Stem - Connects the brain to the spinal cord as well as controls breathing and sleep

Stages of Brain Development: Scientists have identified four cognitive stages of brain development: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. The sensorimotor stage transpires during the period of time from birth through 2 years, where children begin to use their senses and manipulate objects in order to adapt to the world around them. The preoperational stage occurs between ages 2 and 7 years; this is when children develop memories and their imagination as well as begin understanding the concepts behind the past and future. The concrete operational stage, happening from ages 7 to 11, allows children to become more aware of events and emotions. Additionally, they become more empathetic and understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Lastly, from age 11 throughout the rest of their life, the formal operational stage allows children to utilize their logic to solve problems, observe the world, and plan their future. The brain is continuously growing, even during old age, and the ability for the brain to form synaptic connections in response to learning is neuroplasticity! As the brain continues to develop, it is essential to remember that everyone grows at their own pace, and some of these processes may happen at varying times. Purpose of Dreams: The brain has nerve cells called neurons, which transmit electrical signals all over the brain, instructing the body on what to do. So during sleep, neuronal ensembles that are groups of neurons with coordinated activity in the sensory cortex activate spontaneously and produce imagery from signals sent up from the brain stem during rapid eye movement (REM), which is the deepest stage of sleep. These images, ideas, emotions, or sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep are known as dreams. Scientists have discovered four theories explaining the purpose of dreaming about certain things. First of all, dreams act as people’s own therapists and force them to confront their own emotions. After facing an emotional subject in a dream, the brain produces connections that may allow someone to look at a situation in a different light or understand the root of that feeling. Secondly, dreams activate people’s fight or flight response, replicating what would happen if their life was threatened, and helping them figure out what they would do in that situation. The third theory explains how dreams allow people to think in creative ways and help people think of brand new ideas. Lastly, dreams help with remembering information that was comprehended throughout the day and forget the irrelevant ones. Also, this is the reason why the brain is most active during sleep; it’s making new neural pathways, and neurons are sending and receiving signals from one another. Therefore, sleep is essential in order for the body to rest and for the brain to organize people’s thoughts as well as guide people through certain situations while dreaming. Memories & Emotions: Memories are the experiences that people live through which are collected in the mind. As people grow older, memories build up over time and become the building blocks that develop one’s personality. The three types of memories include sensory memories, short term memories, and long term memories. Sensory memories are the source of the neurological system that retains the information occurring throughout the person’s life, using the five senses. The two common types of sensory memories are iconic memory (used for sight), and echoic memory (used for hearing). However, instead of focusing on everything going on at once, the brain focuses on specific things at a time. To be able to concentrate on something particular, the brain must utilize short term memory, also known as the working memory, which is the current thoughts in one’s mind. The short term memory processes all the information the mind decides to absorb and remembers only the necessary information, involving long term memory. There are two primary types of long-term memories: implicit and explicit long term memories. Implicit memories are where the information that was previously learned, are automatically recorded in the nervous system. Explicit memories occur while the person is conscious and focused. Some examples of explicit memories include memorization of definitions, spelling, and past events. Memories can also trigger emotions in people, such as fright, joy, sorrow, anger, and more. An emotional reaction occurs when the brain receives signals that help register what is happening. Afterward, it processes these signals in neural maps, and if the map reveals an apparent emotional change that was recorded, the person would release feelings. So remembering a past memory could cause the brain to read the emotional change occurred during that experience and cause emotions to resurface. Furthermore, the three different kinds of memories help people remember information that has been learned in class as well as cherish the experiences that they have enjoyed or even trigger unwanted emotions. Associated Conditions: Brain tumors, strokes (brain attacks), and acute spinal cord injuries are some examples of severe neurological conditions people suffer from. Brain tumors are when a mass of abnormal cells grow in a certain part of the brain, forming tumors. Some symptoms include gradually painful headaches, nausea, and vision problems such as blurred vision or loss of peripheral vision. Strokes, or brain attacks, are caused by interruptions of blood supply to the brain either by a blocked artery or the burst of a blood vessel. People with strokes can have some trouble walking, paralysis of some part of the body, or slurred speech. Finally, acute spinal cord injuries are due to traumatic injuries, partial tears, or complete tears to the spinal cord. Potential symptoms are loss of muscle movement, issues with breathing, or loss of bowel and bladder function. Overall, disorders related to the nervous system can majorly impact the body’s functions and can physically impair the person. Interesting Facts: Did you know that the average adult brain weighs around three pounds, which is the same weight as a steam iron or a table lamp! It also has a jelly-like texture, which makes it somewhat squishy! Another fact about the brain is that 20%-25% of the blood that is pumped from the heart is directed to the brain because the brain needs the blood to be able to function properly! Additionally, there are 100 billion neurons in the brain which branch out to 100 trillion or more trigger points, yet they only make up 10% of the brain! Lastly, there are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain but the distance around the world at the equator is only 24,900 miles! Sources: https://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain#1 https://www.learningrx.com/4-cognitive-stages-for-child-development/ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-centers/neurology/what-is-a-neurologist.aspx#:~:text=Neurology%20is%20the%20branch%20of,the%20brain%20and%20spinal%20cord https://www.wired.co.uk/article/why-do-we-dream-what-are-dreams https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/processing-the-environment/cognition/v/information-processing-model-sensory-working-and-long-term-memory https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/feeling-our-emotions/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/neurological-disorders https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/10-fun-facts-about-your-brain