1. Nervous System Disorders

2. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FAS) is used to describe a broad range of effects associated with alcohol use during pregnancy The spectrum can include physical effects as well as effects on the brain that may result in problems with learning, emotions and behavior. Sometimes you can tell, sometimes you can’t!

3. When a pregnant woman drinks, so does her baby The baby's growth can be altered and slowed The baby may suffer lifelong damage Fetal Alcohol Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Smaller brain with less developed convolutions (which increase brain surface area) There's no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome.

4. Organ Development VS. Age of Embryo

5. ADHD Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Dopamine thought to be reabsorbed too quickly It does not spend enough time in the synapse Ritalin : increases dopamine & norepinephrine Ritalin also known as methylphenidate Long term effects unknown!

6. Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). An acquired inflammatory, demyelinating disease - cells of the immune system invade the CNS and destroy myelin Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the disease.

7. Multiple Sclerosis It strikes usually between the ages of 20 and 40, and affects more women than men.

8. Multiple Sclerosis The inflammation causes nerve impulses to slow down or become blocked, leading to the symptoms of MS Many symptoms (differ based on what lobe is affected) –MS affects occipital lobe – painful vision loss –Hazy vision / bright lights –MS affects cerebellum – difficulty walking –These “episodes” can last for months

9. Treatments: medications (pain killers + promote myelination), wheel chairs, physical therapy to promote muscle growth, aqua therapy, leg braces/splint, occupational therapy, gene therapy Multiple Sclerosis These would be considered technologies!!!

10. Autism Abnormalities in brain Some studies suggest abnormality exists in specific protein responsible for re- uptake of serotonin Other studies indicate problem with receptor for GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) Brain’s chemical message system not functioning properly

11. Autism Children with autism have problems with social interaction, communication, imagination and behavior. Autistic traits persist into adulthood, but vary in severity. Aspergers Syndrome is a mild variant of autism Did Einstein have Autism?? Historical Figures Suspected of having Autism or Aspergers Syndrome

12. Autism Treatments Occupational Therapy benefits a child with autism by attempting to improve the quality of life for the individual through successful and meaningful experiences. This may be accomplished through the maintenance, improvement, or introduction of skills necessary for the child to participate as independently as possible in meaningful life activities. Such skills include coping skills, fine motor skills, self- help skills, socialization and play skills. More information on autism:http://www.autism.ca/

13. Parkinson’s Disease Progressive degeneration of midbrain Midbrain loses it’s ability to produce dopamine Dopamine is an opiate-like neurotransmitter Dopamine produces feelings of well-being Results in muscular tremors, partial facial paralysis and general weakness L-dopa given to slow dopamine breakdown

14. Alzheimer’s Disease a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired. At this time, we do not yet know what causes Alzheimer's disease or how to stop its progression. Amyloid protein deposits or plaques form in cerebral cortex Memory affected Temporal lobe of cerebrum affected Scientists working to find ways to prevent plaque build up More info on Alzheimer’s disease: http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/dis ease/whatisit-intro.htm http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/dis ease/whatisit-intro.htm

15. Alzheimer’s Disease Researchers have discovered that Alzheimer's disease: is not a part of normal aging affects both men and women is more common in people as they age -- most people with the disease are over 65 is not caused by hardening of the arteries is not caused by stress

16. Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists are looking at three areas: Family history For a few families, there is a definite connection between family history and Alzheimer's disease. While for others, a family history of Alzheimer's disease puts them at greater risk than someone with no family history. Though knowledge in this area is growing, the connection to heredity is not fully understood. The external environment The cause of Alzheimer's disease may be in our environment -- perhaps something in the water, soil or air. The internal environment Alzheimer's disease may be caused by something within the body. It could be a slow virus, an imbalance of chemicals or a problem with the immune system.

17. Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments Cholinesterase inhibitors help with the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's. They work by preventing the breakdown of a chemical messenger in the brain called acetylcholine, which is important for learning, memory, and attention. brain Sensory therapies. There is some evidence that sensory therapies such as music therapy and art therapy can improve Alzheimer's patients' mood, behavior, and day-to-day function. By stimulating the senses, these therapies may help trigger memory recall and enable Alzheimer's patients to reconnect with the world around them. http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet

18. Alzheimer’s Disease

19. Schizophrenia Associated with prefrontal cortex Severe disturbances in thinking, social behavior and emotion The illness is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disturbances in thinking and withdrawal from social activity. The exact causes are still a mystery, but it is believed the disease is caused by a biochemical imbalance. Today Schizophrenia is thought to be associated with chemical imbalances in the frontal lobe of cerebrum Treated with medications to correct chemical imbalance

20. Schizophrenia John Nash: famous American mathematician (1928 – present) Nash began to show signs of schizophrenia in 1958. All throughout his years at Princeton (1945-1949) he believed he had a roommate while records show he lived by himself. He became paranoid and was committed into the McLean Hospital, 1959, where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and mild depression with low self-esteem. Currently still at Princeton, where he gives lectures in mathematics.

21. Spinal Cord Injuries Spinal cord may be damaged by disease or injury If spinal neurons in cervical area damaged: result is complete paralysis This is known as quadraplegia If spinal neurons in lower back (lumbar area) are damaged: paraplegia Treatment: wheelchair, stem cell transplants

22. Hydrocephalus Water on the brain Caused by build up of CSF due to over-production or inability to drain excess CSF Pressure builds up and squeezes brain against skull Reduced brain mass and intelligence results Shunt may be implanted to drain CSF

23. Hydrocephalus Higher-than-normal amounts of CSF can occur in the brain if the flow or absorption of CSF is blocked, or if too much CSF is produced. The build up of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues. CSF has to be drained using a straw/needle.

24. Spina Bifida Permanently disabling birth defect. Spine does not close properly in first month Spinal cord may protrude through the back

25. Spina Bifida Recently a link between SB and a mother’s diet low in folic acid has been found Folic acid (Vitamin B) is now added to breads Leafy vegetables such as spinach and turnip greens, dried beans and peas, fortified cereal products, sun flower seeds and some other fruits and vegetables are rich sources of folate. It is suggested that all women of child-bearing age be on a multivitamin containing at least 0.4 mg of Folic acid every day. Treatment: surgery, physical therapy

26. Cerebral Palsy Caused by insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus Possibly occurring during birth process (could happen before or after birth too) Result is reduced or lack of muscle coordination Brains are perfectly normal in terms of learning capabilities Ashton Kutcher’s twin brother (Michael) has cerebral palsy

27. Cerebral Palsy Treatment: Occupational therapy Physical therapy

28. Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain Usually caused by virus or bacteria Encephalitis lethargica (or sleeping sickness) is an example Person feels apathetic, has double vision and extreme weakness Japanese encephalitis Virus transmitted by mosquito Leads to paralysis, seizures and coma

29. Encephalitis- Treatments Medication Physical therapy Occupational therapy

30. Abnormal electrical discharge of brain cells or misfiring of circuits Epilepsy

31. Nervous system disorder that produces sudden, intense bursts of electrical activity in the brain. This abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes seizures –which may briefly upset a person's muscle control, movement, speech, vision, or awareness. Can be treated with medications or surgery

32. What Causes Epilepsy? Healthy people may have seizures under certain circumstances. If the seizures have a known cause, the condition is referred to as secondary epilepsy. Some of the more common causes include the following: –Tumor –Chemical imbalance such as low blood sugar or sodium –Head injuries –Certain toxic chemicals or drugs of abuse –Alcohol withdrawal –Stroke including hemorrhage –Birth injuries

33. How are disorders diagnosed? PET scan= positron emission tomography –Radioactive glucose is injected first. –Active parts of the brain light up MRI = magnetic resonance imaging –Detects O 2 in the blood

34. Kuru Noticed in New Guinea in early 1900s Kuru is a degenerative nerve disease caused by a prion (infectious protein) transmitted to humans via contaminated human brain tissue. disease Women of the region were responsible for preparing the corpse of those who died – often ate brain matter, fed it to children and elderly Eight times more women than men contracted kuru

35. Neurotoxins The golden poison arrow frog secretes a neurotoxin that is used by aboriginal people in the Columbian rainforest for hunting –Arrow is dipped in the toxin before used –The neurotoxin causes paralysis and death Neurotoxins are now being used as a pain reliever