Neurological Ailments Change Brain Signal Patterns
Shikha SaxenaMar 3 · 3 min read
Neurological Ailments are the diseases caused in the brain, spine and the nerves that connect them, which change brain signal patterns.
Brain is compared to Central Processing Unit (CPU) of our body. As CPU has the main memory or control unit and electronic circuitry to execute certain instructions, similarly Brain has three main parts Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Brain Stem, connected to Spine and nerves, that executes instructions and functions in our body. The brain cell is known as Neuron. Neurological Ailments change brain signal patterns, these are the diseases caused in the brain, spines and the also the nerves, that connect them.
These Neurological disorders of the brain can be termed as the mental illnesses caused by the disruption of connections between the brain, spine and nerves that constitute the major and important part of the human body.
There are more than 600 types of neurological disorders. To name a few would be, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s disease, Tumors of the brain, Epilepsy and Stroke.
3 Main parts of Brain
Brain is a vital organ of the body that weighs around 3 pounds and located safely inside the skull. It is nourished by network of oxygen rich blood vessels -arteries, that fuel brain and keep it active during lifetime.
Cerebrum
This part fills most of the skull and is involved in controlling the movement of body and thinking, feeling and problem solving and remembrance. Outer layer of cerebrum is called as cortex that is made of brain cells called neuron.
Different parts of brain cortex interpret different sensations of the body as
-Smell
-Sight
-Sound
-Thoughts and problem solving
-Storing memories
-Control of voluntary movements of body.
Cerebellum
It is present at back of head beneath the cerebrum that helps in coordination and balance of body.
Brain Stem
Sits under cerebrum, in front of cerebellum and connects brain to the spinal cord. It controls involuntary or automatic functions of the body as heart beat, breathing , blood pressure and digestion.
Neurons
Basic unit of brain is Neuron cell. An adult Brain is made of 100 billion brain cells connected to each other in series.
This neuron network help transmit the sensation and instruction signals to the brain and from the brain respectively. Neuron branches connect with each other at more than 100 trillion points which is called as neuron . This neuron network or neural network is called neuron forest by scientists. Signals travelling through this network is the memories, feelings and thoughts.
Synapse and Neurotransmitters
The point of contact between individual neuron branches is called as Synapse. The neurotransmitters carry signals across synapse. There are dozens of neurotransmitters discovered so far.
The Alzheimer’s disease disrupts the functioning of neurons by altering the way electrical signals travel in the neuron cells and by changing the activity of neurotransmitters.
Nerves
Nerves are enclosed cable like structures made of long part of neuron cell known as Axon present in the peripheral nervous system. The sense organs collect signals from surrounding and transmit them through peripheral nervous system to brain, to process information.
Brain in turn process this signal using coded memories and thoughts and sends back information back to muscles to take necessary action.
Brain Signal Patterns
Over time and during our lifespan, brain create signal patterns through our experiences. These signal patterns are of different types and strength. These patterns depict how our brain process and code different activities and memories for future use.
Neurological Ailments
In Neurological disorders of the brain the mental illnesses are caused by the disruption of communication and connections between the brain cells or neurons , their synapse or activity of neurotransmitters. Brain, spine and nerves that constitute the major and important part of the human nervous system is disrupted leading to disorders.
Parkinson disease– progressive nervous system disorder altering body movement. Starts with minor tremors in hand.
Alzheimer’s disease-Age related changes in brain cells — altered neuron functions.
Epilepsy-Altered electrical signals in brain cells due to trauma, genetic disorder or tumor.
Stroke– Blood supply to brain cells is interrupted due to trauma or tumor altering blood, nutrients and oxygen supply to brain cells.
Neurological ailments are found to be altered to some extent by changes in the diet, lifestyle and healthy brain exercises and destressing activities.
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WRITTEN BY
Shikha Saxena
A Technical Writer, an artist and blogger by choice. Passionate about reading , writing and editing. http://www.shikhasaxena.com and https://www.dnabox.co/
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