1. Brain Injury and Parasympathetic vs Sympathetic nervous system
Decmber 2, 2016
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2. 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

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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”

12. 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).

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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

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

17. 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