Chapter 5: Conciousness Flashcards
What is Consciousness?
A state of awareness ( thoughts, self, environment)
Loss of Consciousness
Lack of awareness of self and environment
Post Traumatic Amnesia
A period after unconsciousness caused by a brain injury when a person suffers from memory loss and confusion
Alteration of Consciousness
The mind is aware, but not wakeful
What is sleep managed by?
Suprachiasmic nucleus (role of melatonin)
Repair and Restore
- Pituitary gland releases hormones to repair the body
- Resets overstimulated neurons
Protect and conserve
- Protects us against danger
- Reduce energy demands
Learn and Remember
Consolidate information and store it
REM
- Sometimes called Paradoxical sleep
- Brain is active
- Body is immobile
- Dreams feel real
Stage 1 of Non-rem
- shallow sleep
- awareness of the outside world remains
- theta waves
Stage 2 of Non-rem
K complexes and sleep spindles
Stages 3 & 4 of Non-rem
- Deeper sleep
- Delta waves present
- Sluggish if woken
Stimulants
Speed up activity in the CNS
Types of Stimulants
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
Depressants
Slow down activity in the CNS
Types of Depressants
- Alcohol
- Sedatives
- Opioids
Hallucinogens
Disrupt normal thought process
Types of Hallucinogens
- Marijuana
- LSD
- some natural, some lab made
Opiates
Relieve Pain
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A type of brain injury that results from a jolt or blow to the head that disrupts normal brain functioning
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Pain
- Motor Dysfunction
- Sensory Changes
- Cognitive Difficulties
- Speech Problems
Concussions
Occurs when a blow or jolt of the head results in the brain moving around and affects brain messaging
Second Impact Impact
Brain swelling caused by a second concussion before the brain has healed from a first concussion
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Brain degeneration caused by repeated head trauma
Coma
- Prolonged unconsciousness
- Not awake or aware
- Usually doesn’t last longer than two to three weeks
Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome
- Awake but unaware
- Vegetative state
Minimally Conscious state
Somewhat conscious of self and surroundings
Brain Death
Permanent loss of brain stem functioning
