• The central nervous system • The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
(CNS) consists of the brain and consists of ‘the rest’ of the nervous spinal cord. system. • The CNS makes decisions for the • The PNS gathers and sends information body. to and from the rest of the body. 2
The Spinal Cord and Reflexes
Central Nervous System
The Brain and Neural Networks Interconnected neurons form networks in the brain. These networks are complex and modify with growth and experience. Brain Structure with Functions 3 4
Neurotransmitters Function Effect of
Effect of Deficit Surplus Excitatory: Released by motor neurons. Acetylcholine Stimulates muscle contraction; Severe Muscle Alzheimer’s Disease (Ach) involved in attention, memory, Spasms learning and general intellectual functioning Parkinson’s Disease, Inhibitory: Low levels of dopamine may cause Schizophrenia Pleasurable sensations involved specific symptoms associated with Dopamine (DA) Drug in voluntary movement, depression. These symptoms can include lack of motivation Addiction attention, and learning difficulty concentrating Inhibitory: Moods and emotional states, Serotonin Depression, mood disorders Autism hunger regulation of sleep and wakefulness (arousal) Excitatory: Used for arousal in the Norepinephrine Mental disorders, especially flight/fight response, modulation Anxiety (NE) depression of mood, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval GABA Inhibitory: Sleep and (gamma- Helps to offset excitatory Anxiety, seizures, tremors, and eating aminobutyric messages and regulate daily insomnia disorders acid) sleep-wake cycles Body may not Inhibitory: give Involved in pain perception and adequate Endorphins Body experiences pain positive emotions. Similar to warning about opiate family of drugs. pain. Artificial highs Excitatory: Used in memory, learning, Too much glutamate (and too Glutamate movement. Helps messages little GABA) associated with cross the synapse more epileptic seizures efficiently