Serious stuff about the Brain.
July 10th 2007 00:49
Signature Tune
Did you know that injuries that left a baby blind and brain-damaged after an alleged assault by his father could have resulted from a single blow. This was the finding of a forensic pathologist.
The lower rear portion of the brain known as the cerebellum plays key roles in motor learning, motor memory and sensory perception.
In studying the postmortem brain tissue of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia researchers found that levels of certain gene-regulating molecules known as microRNAs were lower among schizophrenia patients than in others.
Arthritis pain is processed in areas of the brain that also control emotions and fear.
"Alcohol does not kill brain cells but rather damages dendrites — the branched ends of nerve cells that bring messages into the cell.
Alcohol affects the brain causing slurred speech, clumsiness, slow reflexes, and a loss of inhibition. But alcohol doesn't destroy the brain cells to cause these problems.
Rather, alcohol dilates the channels in the cellular structure that regulates the flow of calcium. More calcium than normal flows into the cells and stimulates increased activity. Somehow this abnormal "turning on" of activity causes a loss of the end segments but does not kill the whole cell. Losing the end segments, however, means losing incoming messages, which disrupts brain function.
The good news is: the damage to the brain cells, for the most part, isn't permanent. The brain repairs itself but the recovery process does change nerve-cell structure. So most function returns to normal but some does not.
A drink doesn't kill brain cells. It damages the way brain cells communicate and the damage is largely reversible."
This last lot of information about alcohol and the brain comes from April Holliday, happynews.com
One day, maybe, but it seems a long time away yet all of the facts they know about the Brain will be brought together for everyone's benefits.
But. until then, it's your brain and do look after it for your own sake.
Any comments, anyone?
| 46 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Good news about the alcohol. After my friend's bachelor party the other day, I was fairly certain that I'd done some permanent damage. You've given me hope
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
It's really good to have someone taking the brain seriously, other than me, of course, but I must say I had great interest in chocolate and the brain, and everyone immediately FORGOT their waistline.
That rather goes to demonstrate my point doesn't it?
Good to see you Winston, glad you've recovered.
The trouble is people guzzle down alcohol just like soft drink.
Moderation, and no bingeing is the way to go, but it's hard to refrain on such occasions, so they tell me.
katyzzz
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions