Transcript Anatomy Research Project

Nervous System Disorders
Project:
Drugs, Disorders/Diseases, and
Neurotransmitters
Mollie Blau
Elena Herschberger
Sarah McGinn
Seerat Mission
Drugs:
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MDMA (Ecstasy)
 MDMA targets the serotonergic
neurons located in the brainstem.
 The reaction takes place on the axon
terminals of the presynaptic cell.
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MDMA causes the release of the
neurotransmitter, serotonin, and
restricts the reabsorbtion of serotonin
by blocking the synaptic terminal that
releases it.
 MDMA also causes the sodium
potassium pumps to overact, thus
increasing the cells permeability.
 Ecstasy damages cells that release
serotonin. This damage is permanent
and irreversible, and inhibits users'
memory and ability to learn.
Drugs:
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Codeine
Classification: Narcotic analgesic
Action: relieve moderate to severe
pain; decrease cough and noninfectious
diarrhea
Codeine relieves pain by binding to
receptors in the brain and spinal cord
that process pain signals received
from nerves. It also affects cough
centers in the brain and slows the
intestinal tract, allowing diarrhea to
become more solid.
Effects:
sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy,
blurred vision
nausea/vomiting
constipation
Reversing the Effects:
small, frequent meals; frequent
mouth care; sucking hard candy;
chewing gum in order to relieve
nausea/vomiting
more liquids; regular exercise;
fiber-containing diet to relieve
constipation
Disorders/Diseases:
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ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy): ALD is transmitted
genetically through an X chromosome mutation. The
disease effects the body by destroying the myelin
sheath of the nervous system white matter and the
adrenal cortex. This deficiency causes dementia,
progressive impairment of vision, hearing, and motor
functions. In as little as two years, a victim of ALD
may be totally disabled. A mix of oleic acid and euric
acid, also known as "Lorenzo's Oil", can reduce or
delay symptoms, but no known treatment can
reverse them. Bone marrow transplants can also be
used as an aid, but can be risky, and aren't
recommended after the disease has matured.
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Disorders/Diseases:
Muscular Dystrophy:
A genetic disorder, affecting mostly children, that gradually weakens the body’s muscles
Method of Transmission: incorrect/missing genetic information that prevents the body from
making proteins necessary to build and maintain healthy muscles
Low levels of dystrophin (protein that helps muscles maintain shape and length)
High levels of serum creatine kinase (released into blood when muscle fibers deteriorate)
Effects: lose ability to walk, sit upright, breathe easily, move arms and hands, weak heart and
respiratory muscles
*Increased weakness leads to other health problems such as…
learning disabilities
cataracts
scoliosis
myotonia (muscles can’t relax after a contraction)
difficulty closing eyes, whistling, puffing out cheeks
respiratory infections (due to inability to cough out phlegm)
Treatments:
*no cure
therapy and joint braces to improve flexibility
wheelchairs to assist mobility
ventilators to aid in breathing
spinal fusion to correct scoliosis
steroid Prednisone can slow muscle deterioration
Neurotransmitters:
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Norepinephrine
Mediates chemical communication
in the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system
functions in response to short-term
stress, therefore norepinephrine
increases the heart rate as well as
blood pressure.
It also increases the conversion of
glycogen to glucose in the liver,
increases the conversion of fats to
fatty acids, and relaxes the
bronchial smooth muscle to open
up the air passage to the lungs.
Norepinephrine fosters alertness,
plays a regulatory role in long-term
memory and learning and protects
endorphins.
Normal levels of norepinephrine
can stimulate a sense of wellbeing
Excess norepinephrine can cause
fear and anxiety.
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Endorphins
enhance our immune system
block the lesion of blood vessel
have anti-aging effects by
removing super oxide
– are anti-stress hormones
– have a pain-relieving effect
– help improve your memory
Endorphins interact with opiate receptor
neurons to reduce the intensity of pain.
Endorphins are often found in high
numbers in individuals afflicted with
chronic pain disorders.
Endorphins are also thought to be
connected to physiological processes
including appetite, and the release of
sex hormones.
Continuous exercise contributes to an
increased production and release of
endorphins, “runners high.”
Scientists theorize that people who
suffer from severe headache have lower
levels of endorphins.
Bibliography:
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1.
“Codeine.” University of Maryland Medical Center. 2004. University of Maryland.
13 March 2006. <http://umn.edu/altmed/ConsDrugs/codeinecd.html>.
2.
“Acetaminophen with Codeine Phosphate.” Whole Health Md. 2000. Whole
Health Md. 13 March 2006.
<http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/items_index/1,1538,HS,00.html>.
3. Clark, Alisa. “Muscular Dystrophy.” Kid’s Health. 2005 August. Nemours
Foundation. 13 March 2006.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/muscular_dystrophy.html
4. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. "norepinephrine ." norepinephrine
.yahoo. 14 Mar. 2006
<http://http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/norepine>.
5. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. "endorphins ." endorphins .yahoo. 14
Mar. 2006 <http://http://education.yahoo.com/reference/
encyclopedia/entry/endorphi>.
6. Thortsen, Katherine. "Endorphins." Endorphins. 14 Mar. 2006
<http://http:// www.warroad.k12.mn.us/moredocs/stdnt_work2000/kthortsen/Endorphins
.html#Introduction>.