Lecture 3 Flashcards
What are some common terms to know when talking about the brain?
Dorsal- above/top Ventral- Below/bottom Medial- midline/ inward from Lateral- side/outward from Anterior-Front/forwards of Posterior-Back/behind
What are the 3 planes of the brain?
1) Coronal
2) Horizontal
3) Sagittal
What are the different layers that the brain is protected by?
The skull, the dura mater, the arachnoid layer, the pia mater, and the subarachnoid space
What are the 3 layers of the meninges?
1) Dura mater- “hard mother,” tough outer layer of fibrous tissue
2) Arachnoid layer- thin sheet of delicate connective tissue
3) Pia mater- “soft mother,” moderately tough inner layer that clings to the brains surface.
What is meningitis?
Inflammation of the meninges, which puts pressure on the brain causing neck stiffness, headaches, drowsiness, stupor, coma, and even death.
What is cerebrospinal fluid and what is it for?
Space just below the arachnoid layer, made up of salts and potassium chloride. It’s main functions are buoyancy, protection, chemical stability, and prevention of ischemia (low blood flow).
Where does cerebrospinal fluid come from?
Produced in the four ventricles of the brain (right and left lateral, third and fourth).
How does concussion happen?
When the CSF is not sufficient enough to protect the brain-brain becomes jarred in the head.
How many concussions occur annually?
1 500 000
What are the 2 areas of damage during concussion?
1) Site of impact (coup). 2) Damage to opposite side of impact (countercoup)
What makes a concussion so challenging?
Symptoms like memory loss, nausea, headaches, balance problems, psychological symptoms cause a concussion to be incredibly challenging.
What happens to the axons when the brain is hit and what is the outcome of this?
Axons twist and tear, which causes permanent damage.
Los of complex function, reduced mental speed, and concentration deficits.
What are some long term behavioural consequences that arise due to concussion?
Depression, memory disturbances, personality changes, sleep changes, increased risk of suicide.
What is Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy?
Multiple concussions MAY lead to this: Atrophy of the brain, enlargement of the ventricles, increase in brain proteins associated with alzheimers. However, these symptoms are not unique to CTE alone.
What was wrong with the paper that found 110/111 former NFL players suffering from CTE?
Paper had no control group, selection bias (brains were donated by families of football players who had behavioural issues), and no control for lifestyle factors.
