Abstract This paper looks in detail at the different types of nervous tissue which include the central nervoussystem, the peripheral nervoussystem, the autonomic nervoussystem, and some special senses.
From the Paper "The nervous system is divided into two main components the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and functions as the command center for the nervous system. The CNS coordinates the activities of the entire body. It receives and analyzes information through the PNS from the sense organs and other receptors throughout the..."
Tags: central nervoussystem, peripheral nervoussystem, brain, autronomicnervoussystem, special senses
Abstract The paper examines whether our conscious perception is an epiphenomenon of the activity of our central nervoussystem. The paper states that the argument is based on the fact that perception is shaped by cultural factors, meaning that people from two different cultures do not perceive the world in exactly the same way and explains that if conscious perception was not an epiphenomenon of the central nervoussystem, there would be no significant differences between cultures.
From the Paper "In order to prove this point it is necessary to look at the nature of perception. Emily A. Schultz and Robert H. Lavenda in Cultural Anthropology define perception as, "The processes by which people organize and experience information that is primarily of sensory origin"(Schultz and Lavenda 1995: 139). What this means is that perception involves two distinct components. The first components are
the sensory organs themselves. The detect stimulus from the environment. However,sensory organs can only detect, they can't process the information. The central nervous system processes the information that the sensory organs have detected."
Abstract This paper briefly analyses the role of the nervoussystem, the physiological systems involved in arousal, the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged or intense arousal and the relationship between stress and disease.
From the Paper "The CNS and PNS are further subdivided, the CNS as mentioned previously is divided into the brain the spinal cord and the PNS if further sub-divided into the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible our voluntary actions through our skeletal muscles whilst the autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions including internal organs, muscles and glands such as heart rate and breathing rate, etc where levels of arousal are high due to these functions. The autonomic nervous system is further sub-divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that speech and language difficulties accompany a number of diseases of the central nervoussystem in adults. The writer points out that sometimes the speech difficulty might be the reason for seeking medical help, or it might be one of many factors that cause a person to seek medical attention. Speech difficulties might arise simultaneously with other symptoms, or they might arise at a different time. A myriad of problems fall under the category of speech and language difficulties. The writer discusses symptoms that range from slurred speech, slow speech and other problems that make it difficult to be understood to more serious difficulties, including a total loss of ability to speak at all. The writer looks at related causes, treatment and therapies. The writer maintains that regardless of the severity of the speech or language difficulty, or its cause, these problems make life difficult for patients and their caregivers.
Outline:
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Speech and Language Therapy in CNS Diseases
Role of the Speech Pathologist
Treatment
From the Paper "Parkinson's Disease is a dysfunction of the neurotransmitters between the nerve cells. Parkinson's disease destroys brain cells, resulting in a shortage of dopamine. The first signs of Parkinson's are typically subtle, such as softer or slower speech. As the disease progresses, tremors begin, which eventually worsen until hey cause considerable difficulty performing everyday tasks. Treatments to replace dopamine can help to slow the disease.
"Brain injuries are typically not listed under the category of disease. However, they are included in this research because they can cause certain forms of neurological dysfunction that can have an effect of speech and language."
Abstract This paper explores how the autonomic nervoussystem functions. The structure of the autonomic nervoussystem and its impact on the performance of the body are clarified, and diagrams will be used to supplement this information.
Abstract Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the nervoussystem, afflicting people of virtually all ages around the world, although it has a special preference for young people, especially women, and for those who grew up in northern latitudes. This paper examines the history of MS and provides an in-depth study of the advances that have been made in finding a treatment for multiple sclerosis.
The History of MS
The Discovery of MS
Effective Treatment: A Prisoner Of Biotechnology
An Unexpected Breakthrough
A Promising Start
A Worldwide Research Effort Begins
A New Major Partner
New Research Directions
Multiple Sclerosis and its Newest Treatments
Avonex: A New Wonder Drug?
From the Paper "Interferon-beta-1a is better known as Avonex. The Drug Company that manufactures this treatment notes that multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease. On some days, you may have such problems as blurred vision, tingling hands, or loss of balance. On other days, there may be no symptoms at all, but the fear of permanent disability is always in the back of your mind. The manufacturer tells us that the good news is that now MS patients can do something to help maintain their current level of functioning. AVONEX? is a once-a-week therapy that can help slow the progression of disability in relapsing forms of MS."
Abstract This paper examines the nervous and digestive systems of reptiles, emphasizing their main characteristics and briefly compare them to the nervous and digestive systems at other vertebrates including humans. The author points out that the anatomical characteristics of the reptile's nervoussystem, such as the position of the brain or the spinal cord, resemble closely those of the human and higher vertebrates; the reptilian nervoussystem has developed to provide the best adaptation of the reptiles' necessities, with emphasis on sight, smell and motor functions. The paper relates that birds and reptiles are the only vertebrates to have the cloacae chamber, the removal system of the body, is where the faeces is discharged; the urodaeum receives the urogenital tract ducts and the proctodaeum acts as a common collecting area prior to evacuation.
From the Paper "As such, the reptilian nervous system is formed of two different components: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system is composed of all nervous tissues and structures that do not actually belong to the CNS. As at other vertebrates, the brain, constituent part of the central nervous system, is protected by the skull. The bones forming the skull similarly have names such as parietal and occipital, which also form the human skull, for example."
From the Paper "In recent years life has been full of problems and difficulty. Human beings face difficulties in their work, in the home, and in everyday activity. Some of the most severe problems we are facing are AIDS and drugs. In this essay I will describe how drugs can be so dangerous and what they do to the nervous system.
A long time ago doctors invented drugs to help reduce the pain patients feel when they are sick or when they are having an operation. These drugs were very helpful and successful in reducing pain, but things got out of hand when people started using drugs when they were in good health.
Some people use drugs because they say it makes them feel better, and some other people say drugs make them forget their problems..."
Abstract This paper discusses Neurofibromatosis (NF) or von Recklinghausen disease, a genetic disease that causes tumors to occur under the skin and throughout the nervoussystem. It examines how it can occur in both sexes and all ethnic groups, discusses its causes and provides a detailed list of symptoms. It shows how although there is no way is to prevent the fifty percent of all NF cases that occur from gene mutation, inherited NF can be prevented with careful genetic counseling and tests can be performed on the fetus during pregnancy, such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. The paper provides a long appendix of support groups and further reading material.
From the Paper "NF-2 affects roughly one in 40,000 persons and is characterized by bilateral tumors on the eighth cranial nerve. These tumors cause progressive hearing loss and can cause pressure damage to neighboring nerves. The damage to nearby vital structures, such as other cranial nerves and the brainstem, can be life-threatening (Neurofibromatosis pg). The tumors can also cause weakness of the facial muscles, headache, dizziness, poor balance, and uncoordinated walking. Cataracts, cloudy areas on the lens of the eye, frequently develop at an early age. And as in NF-1, the chance of developing brain tumors is unusually high (Carson-DeWitt pg). As with NF-1, the treatments for NF-2 are aimed at controlling the symptoms. An MRI can reveal small tumors, resulting in early treatment."
Abstract Discusses this disease of the central nervoussystem. Damage of nerve areas. Symptoms of MS. Functional level of patients during and between episodes. Short & long-term treatment. Common myths & misconceptions about MS. Disabling symptoms as disease progresses. Coping issues. Rehabilitation exercises to improve functioning. Cognitive & emotional affect. Workplace environment.
From the Paper "Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which the myelin, which normally insulates nerve fibers and helps conduction of impulses, is damaged in random areas (Multiple Sclerosis, 2000). These damaged areas are called plaques and the symptoms they cause depend on where they occur. The current thinking is that the loss of myelin in multiple sclerosis is caused by either a virus or an autoimmune reaction. The first symptoms of MS are variable and include vague feelings of weakness, clumsiness or exhaustion. Vision may become blurred and there may be numbness and tingling on areas of the skin. Other symptoms include double vision, weakness of the arms and legs, muscle stiffness, dizziness, loss of bladder control, depression and memory loss. MS symptoms come and go unpredictably and the episodes when symptoms are..."
Abstract This paper analyzes an experiment of physiological reactivity in relation to different temperatures of the cold pressor. Three groups of subjects are compared using 15 people in each group. Each group experienced a different temperature of the cold pressor, specifically 0, 10 or 20 degrees Celsius. Physiological measurements taken were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart period and pre-ejection period. The data was analyzed and compared between groups to determine differences in nervoussystem reactivity. The results showed a clearer understanding of cardiovascular reactivity in relation to the use of the cold pressor.
From the Paper "Cold pressor techniques are used in psychophysiological research to induce pain and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. The cold pressor as an experimental tool can be applied to the subject's forehead or the subject's foot or arm can be immersed in ice water, with each variation resulting in differing degrees of physiological response (Durel, et. al., 1993). The limb applications are considered the most reliable because the facial application may involve the dive reflex (Durel, et. al., 1993). For the purpose of this study, the arm immersion will be used."
Abstract This paper looks at multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervoussystem in which the myelin, which normally insulates nerve fibers and helps conduction of impulses, is damaged in random areas. It examines the different symptoms of MS which include feelings of weakness, clumsiness or exhaustion at the beginning followed by double vision, weakness of the arms and legs, muscle stiffness, dizziness, loss of bladder control, depression and memory loss. It evaluates the current myths and misconceptions about the disease such that it is fatal and everyone with MS ends up in a wheelchair. It describes the current courses of treatment and how the MS patient must learn to accept the changes in their life brought about by the disease, such as changes in work capabilities and changes in lifestyle.
From the Paper "As the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe and may leave lasting disabilities between actual episodes, so the MS patient will have to make adjustments to their life as the disease develops. This may mean changing jobs or working hours, making adjustments in the workplace and home to cater to a wheelchair or other assistive devices, changes in lifestyle such as taking a nap frequently when the patient gets tired easily, limiting travel and having help in the home. The MS patient has to make many adjustments to cope with the changes in their capabilities brought about by MS, but they can still lead full, rewarding lives, and still work. If they are one of the lucky ones who have long periods of remission between episodes, they may be able to function normally for long periods of time, and just learn to make the necessary adjustments during episodes of MS flare-up."
Abstract This six-page senior level paper on the Information Processing Model for the motor skills focuses on how the human nervoussystem performs internal processes on the information gathered in replication to stimuli from the external environment. It also reviews the perceptual process, the decision making process and the execution process.
Abstract This paper defines multiple sclerosis as a neurological disorder that affects the central nervoussystem, which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. It discusses how this affects daily functioning, symptoms, treatment, and cures.
From the Paper "Once the blood immune cells are within these central nervous system tissues, they cause local immune reactions which do not normally occur within the CSN. When they do, they result in demyelination, "the process of destruction or removal of the myelin sheath from a nerve or nerve fiber" (Compston 1221), i.e. the proteins that form an insulating sheath around the nerve fibers known as axons. This insulating myelin sheath allows very rapid electrical nerve impulse conduction; all the nerve cells of the CNS connect through their axons. Thus, loss of the insulating myelin eventually leads to failure of nerve conduction and "depending on which areas of the CNS are affected and how badly they are damaged, the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly" (Health on the Net Foundation)."
Abstract This paper discusses the traditional uses of the herbs rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) and ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), their connections with modern use and the evidence gained from research to support this. In particular, it looks at how within the fields of alternative medicines both of these herbs are widely known for the beneficial effects on the central nervoussystem (CNS). Clinical trials, where available are cited and discussed with a view to proving and rationalising the prescription of these two herbs by the modern herbalist.
From the Paper "There is a vast wealth of empirical information relating to Rosemary and its use as a stimulant of the mind since ancient times (Chevallier, 2001). The 17th century herbal medicalist Nicholas Culpeper spoke of it; "it helps cold diseases of the head and brain, drowsiness, dullness, dumb palsy, lethargy. It helps pains in the gums and teeth. It helps a weak memory and quickens the senses" (Culpeper, 1616 to 1654). This traditional use is comparable with its modern usage for poor memory and concentration, headaches, mild depression and debility associated with circulatory and digestive weakness and hair loss (Chevallier, 2001 and Hoffman, 1990). Chevallier (2001) describes the influence of Rosemary on the circulation to the head can even help balding if a decoction is used as a hair rinse."
