1. Neural Disorders Advances and Challenges

2. Why Study Neural Diseases? Application of neuroscience Coming together of research and medical applications Cost: Alzheimer’s alone costs the U.S. 150 billion dollars a year

3. Addiction 9% of Americans abuse drugs… Drug abuse  Drug Addiction – Altered structure and chemical brain makeup Abused drugs activate brain reward system Tolerance, dependence

4. Alcohol Legal and Addictive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – 2/1000 births Ethanol-active ingridient – Reduces anxiety and tension – depressant – effects GABA and NMDA

5. Club Drugs Ecstasy, Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine Ecstasy (MDMA) – synthetic psychoactive drug – hallucinogen – long term changes in memory, thought Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine – CNS depressants – “Special” K: anesthetic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHG8cjI5B-w

6. Marijuana and Nicotine Marijuana tetrahydracannabinol – THC receptors control movement, memory Endocannabinoids – Anandamide Nicotine Tobacco is leading preventable cause of death in U.S. Cholinergic receptors Release of epinephrine, glucose Suppression of insulin Releases DA in brain regions controlling motivation

7. Opiates Increase DA in brain rewards system Mimic effects of endogenous opioids Brief rush of intense euphoria Relieve pain, depress breathing – OD: many literally stop breathing Methadone and Naloxone /Naltrexone

9. Brain Reward System Evolved to mediate pleasurable effects of natural rewards – eating when hungry – drinking when thirsty Drugs activate system and promote continued use

10. Alzheimer’s Disease What do you know?

11. Alzheimer’s Disease Forgetfulness, disorientation Patients often die from pneumonia or illness related to immobility Reductions in – acetylcholines, somatostasin, monoamines, glutamate Cellular symptoms: Beta amyloid plaques, Neurofibrillary (Tau) tangles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjgBnx1jVIU

12. Anxiety Disorders OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Repetitive thoughts, behaviors – Affects 5-6 million Americans PTSD: – Sever trauma – Dysregulation of hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis, major depression – High norepineprine levels – PFC can no longer inhibit amygdala activation

14. Attention Deficit Hyperactvity Disorder Diagnosis difficult and can mainly only be done by evaluation and behavioral observation: no objective test exists Smaller volume and reduced activity in cortical-striatal-cerebellar circuits Weakened prefrontal regulation of behavior Stimulant drugs used for treatment despite negative side effects

15. Autism Communication difficulties Impaired social skills Developmental: disruption in neuron proliferation and migration Specialized education and learning environments needed

16. Bipolar Disorder Alternating episodes of deep depression and manic highs Increased risk of suicide Lithium treatment – safe and very effective New anticonvulsants- mood stabilization

17. Brain Tumors Primary brain tumor- within brain – metastatic spread from other area Symptoms vary by location – headaches, seizures, blurred vision Gliomas: malignant brain tumors – release toxic amounts of glutamate Increased intracranial pressure

18. Brain Tumors - Treatment Surgery- depends on size + location of tumor Radiation- Stop progress of tumor and shrink Chemotherapy- destroy remaining cells after surgery Monoclonal antibodies Anti-angiogenic therapy- cut off blood flow Immunotherapy Gene therapy- engineered genes placed in tumor cells

19. Down Syndrome Most frequently occurring chromosomal condition extra chromosome 21 As age of mother increases, so does risk of disease Intellectual disabilities, low muscle tone, flat face Cognitive decline similar to Alzheimer’s by age 40