Tag: brain

How could possibly a stroke cure addiction?

On April 27, 2024

Teachable moment in classrooms:

nervous tissue chapter – using neurotransmitters in synaptic communication between neurons
nervous tissue chapter – anatomy of the brain, the five lobes
nervous tissue chapter – basic cellular structures of neurons, axon, cell body

The news item: Recently the following report appeared online:

Why a Brain Injury From a Stroke Cured a Smoking Addiction

Scientists are learning new ways we might be able to permanently cure addiction in the future.

The article states that in the USA over 27 million adults suffer from addiction to various substances, and that for a portion of those people current treatments are not effective. Researchers started a new study when sporadic evidence emerged that brain lesions caused addicted smokers to stop smoking. This article mentions the insular area, frontal lobe where brain damage correlated with cessation of addiction to smoking.

So, Why Do I Care?? To be more accurate than the article, over 27 million people in the USA suffered from addiction during the year 2022. The relapse rate (the return to addictive substance use) can reach as high as 60% of those people. The impact of addiction on the individual ranges from deterioration of health, problems of employability, and limited social interactions. According to estimates, the yearly economic cost of addiction is over $500 billion for the US. There is also a cost on personal relationships, and this is difficult to measure. Finding new biological pathways that are part of addictions can result in new, more effective treatments.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about the anatomy of the nervous system linked to addiction. Addiction activates the reward centers in our brain, causing the perception of satisfaction, pleasure. Those centers are located in the brainstem, and in the basal ganglia, and the centers are made up of millions of neurons. Those centers are receiving stimulation or inhibition from other parts of the brain, such as the frontal lobe of the cerebrum, and the amygdala. These areas also represent millions of neurons. Think about this like a spider (the mass of neurons of the reward center) sitting in the middle of the spider web made up by the millions of axons coming from those other brain parts. Imagine that the stimulating nerve impulses pull the spider web to the right, while the inhibiting nerve impulses pull the spider web to the left. The reward center (the spider) will move to the right to consume the addictive substance, or move to the left to resist the urge to consume.

Second, let’s talk about how different brain parts influence the reward center. The influence of inhibition or stimulation of the reward center is carried out by neurotransmitters that are small molecules acting at

Can we really diagnose concussion from a blood test?

By admin

On May 29, 2023

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05292023

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – intermediate filaments are part of the cytoskeleton
nervous system chapter – neurons and astrocytes are cells of the nervous system
brain chapter – meninges are protective coverings of the central nervous system
cardiovascular system chapter – reabsorption during capillary exchange brings degraded proteins into blood circulation
brain chapter – cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed into venous sinus

The news item: Recently the following report appeared online:

https://www.nbc12.com/prnewswire/2023/03/07/abbott-receives-fda-clearance-first-commercially-available-lab-based-blood-test-help-evaluate-concussion/?outputType=amp

The article states that a new blood test is available for patients who are suspected to have suffered concussion because of an impact injury, and that this test may help to find the patients who might need a CT scan for further evaluation. The test works by analyzing two biomarkers.

So, Why Do I Care?? Concussion happens frequently with over 2 million concussions occurring yearly in the USA. Whether it is from a car accident, from a fall, or from a collision at a sporting event, the consequence is impaired brain function. That comes with a price tag of over $40 billion per year medical cost and lost income in the USA.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what concussion is. An injury to the brain from a physical impact is called concussion. The symptoms can be a brief loss of consciousness followed by headache, memory impairment, loss of orientation, loss of cognitive functions, depression. The most dangerous aspects of concussion are the long-lasting effects.

Second, let’s talk about how the brain is injured by mechanical forces. While it is true that the meninges, the membrane-like covering of the brain, provide a moderate level of protection against sudden

Can we relieve migraine pain by changing neurotransmitter balance in the brain?

By admin

On December 26, 2022

In nervous system, somatic senses, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 12262022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

nervous tissue chapter – conduction of nerve impulses by axons of neurons
nervous tissue chapter – starting a new nerve impulse by neurotransmitters
brain chapter – anatomical location of thalamus and postcentral gyrus
brain chapter – anatomy and function of trigeminal nerve, cranial nerve V
somatic senses chapter – nerve impulse pathway from pain receptors (nociceptors)

The news item: Recently the following report appeared online:

New migraine medication given the green light

Migraine sufferers are excited when a new anti-migraine option is available. In this case, it’s medicine called Reyvow.

The article states that migraine is a neurological disorder that causes recurring pain, sensitivity to light, and nausea. Migraine affects 30 million people worldwide, and it is the leading cause of disability. While there are approved medications to treat migraine, this new option, called Reyvow, can be taken by people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke. The article also states that Reyvow activates the (5-HT) 1F receptors that increase serotonin neurotransmitters and inhibit pain pathways.

So, Why Do I Care?? According to the American Migraine Foundation over 10 million adults in the US suffer from migraine, causing each year over $11 billion economic loss from lost workdays and lost productivity. Because existing migraine treatment do not work for all patients, new treatments are welcome, because they widen the circle of patients who can be effectively treated.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how migraine occurs. This disorder is characterized by sudden onset feeling (perception) of headache pain, sensitivity to light, or nausea. These symptoms appear suddenly and repeatedly, and can distract and disable people from carrying out daily functions. At first it was thought that abnormal dilation (widening) of blood vessels of the brain caused it, but recently migraine has been linked to the malfunctioning of our nervous system. According to that during migraine the neurons that make up the pain pathways create unwanted nerve impulses.

Second, let’s talk about what pain pathways are. In our nervous system the word “pathway” means a bundle of axons that carry and deliver nerve impulses to their destination. The pain-carrying nerve

Can Alzheimer’s disease be detected early from a blood test?

By admin

On May 31, 2021

In nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05312021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

brain chapter – locations of storing short and long term memory in the brain
nervous system chapter – functioning of neurons
introduction to the human body chapter – basics of PET scan technology

The news item: Recently the availability of a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease was reported:

First blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s goes on sale

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed? New blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s is not approved by the FDA.

The article states that this test is the first commercially available blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, and that it is a more practical alternative to the PET scan, but the test is not officially approved by the FDA, and the accuracy is still under study. The article also states that the test, developed by the company C2N, measures amyloid and other protein.

So, Why Do I Care?? There are more than 6 million people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in the US. This number will increase as the proportion of older people increases in the US. Early detection of this disease could allow the implementation of preventative strategies such as changes in lifestyle, or even new medications. Therefore the development of a blood test for early diagnosis is an exciting development, despite the fact that the accuracy of this test needs to be fully proven.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what Alzheimer’s disease is. Dementia type disorders result in the loss of memory, the ability of the patient to recall names or past events. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia disorders; most people with dementia suffer from Alzheimer’s. Because the storage

Can a steroid treatment combat postpartum depression?

By admin

On February 8, 2020

In chemical basis of life, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 02072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

chemical basis of life chapter – lipids and steroids
nervous system chapter – role of neurotransmitters in the life of a neuron
nervous system chapter – effects of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters

The news item: A new drug, called Zulresso, for the treatment of postpartum depression was in the news recently:

FDA approves first postpartum depression drug. It works quickly but costs more than $20K, report says

Brexanolone, sold as Zulresso, is delivered as a continuous IV infusion over 60 hours. It works quickly and costs $20,000 or more.

The article mentions symptoms and the frequency of postpartum depression.