Brain Injury and Parasympathetic vs Sympathetic nervous system Decmber 2, 2016 Click me!

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Leading cause of accidental death among all people in US 1.7 million experience TBI each year… … causing ~52,000 deaths each year Leading cause of all death and disability among US children ~500,000 children visit ER with TBI each year

Causes of Brain Injury Falls & car accidents are leading causes Sports-related are grouped in the struck/by against Important to understand that the damage is caused not just by the blow, but also by the brain bouncing back and forth against the skull

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Full recovery (??) in a few days to a few weeks Concussion – Mild injury (though still serious) Widespread, microscopic damage (such as severing of connections between neurons) Symptoms Dizziness, nausea, inability to concentrate, memory difficulties, sensitivity to light or sound, mood changes, sleep changes Treatment Rest from physical and mental activity VERY IMPORTANT TO PREVENT SECONDARY IMPACT!

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury More likely to cause permanent loss of function or death Contusion – Localized tissue bruising / destruction Often occurs with cerebral hematoma (extensive bleeding in the brain) Often causes cerebral edema (brain swelling), which can be fatal if the pressure isn’t relieved Symptoms Same as concussion, but more often include loss of conscioussness, slurred speech, vomiting Can be seen on MRI / CT CT scan – white areas are contusions

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Misconception alert! A contusion is not simply a more severe concussion. You can have a concussion, or a contusion, or both.

Cerebrovascular Accident (aka stroke) 3rd leading cause of death in US Loss of blood flow to brain due to clot or bleeding in the brain Brain tissue dies due to lack of oxygen Treatment involves restoring blood flow through anticoagulants, blood thinners, shunts, etc. Long-term effects depend on location, size/degree of blockage, and speed of treatment

Turn & talk The scenario... A semi-conscious young woman is brought to the hospital by friends after falling from a roof. She did not lose consciousness immediately, and she was initially lucid. After a while, though, she became confused and then unresponsive. Questions What is a likely explanation for her condition? What test(s) would you do? What treatment(s) might be necessary? What is her prognosis?

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Divisions The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are part of the autonomic nervous system. What is that? The system that sends directions to the glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Divisions The two divisions control the same organs but create opposite effects. Parasympathetic Occurs in the absence of demanding situations Conserves energy and maintains body “Rest and Digest” Sympathetic Prepares body to deal with threatening situations Allows maximal physical and mental performance. “Fight or flight”

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Divisions Misconception alert! We are not usually in “sympathetic mode” or “parasympathetic mode” … rather, our body constantly uses the two types of neurons to maintain homeostasis (e.g. raising or lowering heartbeat, increasing or decreasing digestion, as needed).

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Divisions If SD and PD are both motor neurons, connecting in many cases to the same organs, HOW do they create opposite effects? Through the release of different neurotransmitters. Sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine Parasympathetic neurons release acetylcholine

Closure What were our objectives, and what did you learn about them. What was our learner profile trait and how did we exemplify it? How does what we did today address our unit question?

Exit Ticket A bruise on the brain is called a Concussion C. Contusion Hematoma D. Edema Headache, difficulty concentrating, and nausea are symptoms of Concussion only Contusion only Stroke only Both concussion and contusion

Exit Ticket Anticoagulants and blood thinners are treatments for Concussion only Contusion only Stroke only Both concussion and contusion

Exit Ticket Sympathetic (S) or Parasympathetic (P)? Fight or flight Dilation of bronchi 6. Release of norepinepherine -1 = 95 -2 = 85 -3 = 75 -4 or more = 70