Abstract This paper examines different forms of geneticdisorders, concentrating on single gene mutations and deficiencies. It explains how these are caused and explores the process of DNA and cell progression (and subsequent degression) which lead to these disorders.
From the Paper "The DNA of a gene determines the characteristics of any organism. In some genes, different proteins are coded in the gene to perform different functions within the organism. Structural proteins determine the physical form of the organism; functional proteins determine how cells, tissues and organs survive in their environment; and regulatory proteins serve as switches to direct metabolic responses as needed (New Proteins, Cells and Individuals)."
Abstract This paper presents a brief yet comprehensive review of neurofibromatosis, a geneticdisorder that affects children. It looks at how there are two major subtypes of the disorder which affect the entire body, the most common, NF-1 and the lesser seen NF-2. There is a third subtype of the disorder that only affects specific organs and does not affect the entire body. The discussion focuses on NF-1 (also referred to as Von Recklinghausen's disease) and NF-2.
From the Paper "Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder characterized by an inability of the body to utilize one of the constituents of a normal diet- phenylalanine (PHE), which is one of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized within the body. It means that they have to be taken in from the foods. PHE is found in all protein foods such as meat, eggs, fish, milk, cheese, and so forth. "
Abstract This paper studies the geneticdisorder called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome; a disorder affecting fetal development and presenting with a complete host of disorders and disfigurements, including deformed or missing fingers or limbs, retardation, speech impairment, cardiac issues and severe esophageal-gastric problems requiring immediate surgery. According to this paper, the gene responsible for this disorder was isolated by two research teams in spring of 2004 and these findings are also discussed as are their implications.
From the Paper "This paper presents a brief yet comprehensive review of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), a genetic disorder that affects the developing fetus in the womb, and is most often diagnosed in infants through the presentation of multiple physical abnormalities evident at birth, including: impaired growth, gastroesophageal reflux and feeding problems, upper limb abnormalities and distinctive facial features such as thin eyebrows that join together, long eyelashes, thin lips and excessive body hair. CdLS affects approximately 1 - 10,000 children. Our presentation will be broken down into logical reporting sections that closely parallel the Clinical Case Studies section of the text, including Principles, Background, Major Phenotypic Features, Pathogenesis/Molecular Basis, followed by a brief discussion on inheritance risk and disease management. Please note: no specific case will be identified; therefore, a case history will not be presented."
Abstract The paper discusses amnestic syndrome, an abnormal mental state where all cognitive functions are intact except memory and learning.
The paper also looks at Alzheimer's disease, a tragic, progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory, their ability to learn, reason, communicate and carry out daily activities. Additionally, the paper examines mild mental retardation, phenylketonuria (PKU), functional enuresis and encorpresis and autism.
From the Paper "Amnestic disorders can be either transient or persistent and can be caused by accidents, trauma, seizures, alcohol, tumors, encephalitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other conditions. There are some fascinating clinical cases on record where after severe brain trauma, an individual was completely unable to lay down new memories at all. There are also popular movies about amnestic syndromes. One of the most interesting is the movie, Memento, in which the main character has to tattoo notes all over his body to help him function because he has lost his memory and cannot retain new memories."
Abstract Examines the role of chromosomes and the genotype. Discusses dominant and recessive geneticdisorders, X-linked disorders, multifactorial geneticdisorders, environmental and genetic factors, including obesity, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
From the Paper "Genetic diseases are those caused by abnormal chromosomes or abnormal numbers of chromosomes, and these conditions are usually inherited from either one or both parents, although some occur by spontaneous mutations, usually while the ..."
Abstract This paper summarizes and critically analyzes three studies that focus on bipolar disorder and how strongly it correlates with both attempted and completed suicide. The first study, "A Comparison of the Medical Lethality of Suicide Attempts in Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorders" examines two diagnostic groups to determine whether individuals with bipolar disorder have higher rates of lethality in their suicide attempts than individuals with major depressive disorder. The second study, "Heterogeneity of the Risk of Suicidal Behavior in Bipolar-Spectrum," explores the connection between one's genetic makeup and his or her vulnerability to suicide and bipolar disorder. The third study, "Prospective Study of Risk Factors for Attempted Suicide Among Patients with Bipolar Disorder," examined common risk factors associated with suicide attempts. The rest of the paper discusses the purposes, hypotheses, assumptions, reasoning, alternate explanations, and trends in the studies. Lastly, the paper discusses the consequences that result from abnormal behavior from bipolar disorder.
From the Paper "For this study, researchers gathered a total of 307 individuals who had already been diagnosed with a mood disorder, which was a criterion one needed to meet in order to be included in this particular study. Sixty-six subjects had bipolar disorder I, 36 had bipolar disorder II, 2 had non-specified bipolar disorder and 203 had major depressive disorder. The second criterion that had to be met by all the subjects was that they had to have at least one previous suicide attempt in their medical/psychological history. Two diagnostic groups were formed from the total number of subjects, based on each person's diagnosis. Those with major depressive disorder made up one group while those with bipolar disorder made up the other. Each subject was then interviewed by a clinical psychologist or psychiatric nurse. In addition, they were each administered several assessments they were required to complete. These assessments included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Brown-Goodwin Aggression Inventory (BG), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) and Beck's Medical Lethality Scale (BMLS)."
Abstract The paper examines a study on why adverse life events result in depression only in some individuals, a study on whether genetics has any association with the onset of depression following stressful life events, and a study on the treatment of major depressive disorders. The paper also discusses studies on the topics of bipolar disorder and recovery time from adverse life events, the variables that affect depression, recurring depression and finally, circadian rhythms and their affect on the mental processes of human beings.
Outline:
Introduction
Life Events and Depression
Stressful Life Events and Major Depression
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorders Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Variables of Depression
Recurring Depression
Alcohol and Anxiety
Circadian Rhythms
Conclusion
From the Paper "The researchers studied individuals that had suffered from depression after a significant life event and those that had not. It was determined that the impact of adverse life events on people is dependent on two factors. First, that the event be associated with "adverse interpersonal events" rather than "adverse achievement events". Adverse interpersonal events are related to death of a close family member, while adverse achievement events as associated to accomplishments in life. The authors also found that cognitive personality characteristics were a significant factor in the individual's likelihood of developing depression because of the thought processes that altered the outlook of the individual."
Abstract Research into these behavioral disorders suggests that brain chemistry and genetics are responsible for predisposition to the conditions, with environmental aspects also a factor. This paper examines the biological approach looking for the definite genetic cause and the child development approach looking at the impact of the environment. Each of these approaches looks at the problem with a different focus and with each approach comes a different understanding of the nature of behavioral conditions in children.
From the Paper "Cognitive development is described by Jean Piaget's four stages theory. Piaget describes four stages that every child develops through, where in each stage the child thinks differently, acquiring new thinking skills with every stage. These stages are sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. In the sensorimotor period a child's behavior is determined by looking, seeing and feeling, rather than thinking. In the preoperational period children lack the ability to think logically, they assume their experience is the same as everyone else's, they are unable to rearrange their thoughts and they mix up cause and effect. "
Abstract This paper presents a general overview and discussion of the psychological disorders known as Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Disorder. The paper presents definitions of both disorders and discusses several aspects associated with these disorders including diagnosis, prevalence, general etiology, risk factors, genetic and biological causes, symptoms of each disorder and need for interventions.
From the Paper "This research paper presents conduct disorder and antisocial disorder. Related to conduct disorder the following are discussed: definition, diagnosis, prevalence, general etiology and risk factors, genetic and biological causes and risk factors, disorder onset as a risk factor, familial and racial risk factors, childhood risk behaviors, developmental progression, course and consequences and assessment, treatment and forensic issues. Related to antisocial disorder the following are discussed: definition, diagnosis, prevalence, general etiology and risk factors, genetic and biological causes and risk factors..."
Abstract This paper gives an insight into the principles of genetic engineering since its first concept by an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel. It discusses how selective engineering of genetics is invaluable to the health and happiness of humans and how the importance of this issue has played second fiddle to the arguments, for and against genetic engineering for years. Examples are provided to argue the positive side of regeneration and to show how in time, geneticdisorders such as "Down Syndrome" and "Multiple Sclerosis" could be made diseases of the past.
From the Paper "Even though there are a lot of risks, the possibilities of what we can do are endless. Genetic engineering should be allowed to progress because of the benefits for human beings outweigh the consequences. For example, cows could be genetically cloned to produce milk with medications in it. This means that vaccination shots and pills would become obsolete. Babies could be brought up immune to diseases by simply being fed milk. Imagine what this could mean for people who live in countries like Somalia. Whole countries could be made healthy and immune to disease."
Tags: dolly, cloning, regeneration, disease, dna, cancer
This paper outlines Fragile X disorder with a detailed description of the biological cause of the disorder, as well as an explanation of the subsequent communication disorders
Abstract This paper looks at the debilitating disease called Fragile X Disorder. It examines the physical characteristics of people who suffer from this disorder as well as mental and behavioral problems. It focuses on the specific issue of speech impairments causing communication problems.
From the paper:
"Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of developmental and learning disabilities, affecting as many as one person in every 1,000 (Saunders, 1999). Fragile X is a sex-linked geneticdisorder and is named so because of a fragile site on the tip of the long arm of the X chromosome where it looks as if a piece of the chromosome is broken off (Saunders, 1999). The gene responsible for the disorder is Fragile Mental Retardation 1 (FMR-1) and can be diagnosed through DNA testing (Saunders, 1999). The FMR-1 gene becomes faulty due to an expansion of three nucleotides, Cytosine-Guanine-Guanine (CGG), which inhibits the production of the FMR protein; the FMR protein is essential for normal brain development (Symons, et al, 2001). "
Abstract This paper explores the various definitions and symptoms of borderline personality disorder. Additionally, a brief review of current literature and definitions of this psychiatric condition are examined. In particular, dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, is considered as a possible treatment for this disorder.
Table of Contents
Section one: Overview of Borderline personality Disorder 1 Definitions and Historical Foundations
1.2 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM
1.3. Etiology
1.3.1. DBT
1.3.2. Genetics 1.3.3. Environmental Conditions
1.3.4. Neurological Issues
2. Diagnoses and Related Issues
2.1. Comorbidity
Treatment
3.1. Treatment Overview
3.2. Psycho Pharmacological Approaches
3.3. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
3.3.1. Empirical Support
3.3.2. Theoretical Aspects of DBT
3.3.3. The Dialectical Model
3.3.4. Etiology
3.3.5. Praxis
From the Paper "Lineham pioneered this treatment of BPD in 1991. Her ideas were based on the concept and praxis that psychological treatment was just as important in dealing with Borderline patients as was the more traditional psycho? and pharmacotherapy. Lineham also emphasized a hierarchical structure in treatment goals. This structure began with the reduction of parasuicidal and life - threatening behaviors. This was followed by a reduction of behaviors which may interfere in the therapy process. Thirdly, reducing behaviors were introduced that improved the individual's quality of life. Lineman published results of her work which attested to the practical success of her work and approach. The difference of DBT to other approaches in therapy for BPD is that is combines a dialectical perspective with cognitive- behavioral therapy. This has resulted in a particular procedure of interventions which has been shown to produce positive results in the reduction of the symptoms of BPD. "
Abstract This paper discusses post-traumatic stress disorder, a disorder that affects the body's stress chemicals and hormones, and looks at some of its possible causes. The cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is largely unknown but the author attributes genetic, physical, social, and psychological factors in its development. The paper describes the possible symptoms that a patient of post-traumatic stress disorder might have and discusses the available treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder such as psychological counseling and medication.
Outline:
Causes and Development
Symptoms
Treatment
References
From the Paper "The National Institute of Mental Health cites the example of a rape victim who testified that for years, she spoke about the rape as if it happened to another woman, being detached to it in terms of feelings. In time, she started to have flashbacks, making her terrified. She also started reliving the rape. She also became very anxious every year at Thanksgiving, around which the rape had occurred."
Abstract The following essay discusses the ethical and moral issues connected with the mapping of human genome and unethical practices during fetal tissue study. The genetic research and fetal tissue research aim at minimizing the risk of geneticdisorders in children and adults but many argue that this kind of research does not take into account the issue of human dignity.
From the Paper "The genetic research or genetic engineering, as it is commonly known as, refers to the study of human genetic makeup, which is required for better and deeper understanding of the genetic problems. This subject has been heatedly debated all over the world but most prominently in the West where the research is currently gaining momentum. The government plays a key role in the research because it is only when the government allows a particulate controversial research that further studies can be conducted in that field."
