Nervous System Health Flashcards
What is the primary role of the nervous system in the body?
The nervous system is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body. It is the center of activity for sensation, perception, thought, language, learning, memory, and movement initiation.
What are the two main components of the nervous system?
The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What factors influence mental well-being according to the nervous system health model?
Mental well-being is highly influenced by environment, early experiences, belonging, self-esteem, social factors, and situational factors.
List the key factors that affect nervous system health.
Answer:
Lifestyle (environment and our response to it).
Nerve cell structure and function (e.g., cell membrane integrity via EFAs, phospholipids, myelin, antioxidants, minerals).
Hormonal and immune factors (e.g., oestrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, cortisol, cytokines).
Energy (requires steady glucose flow and rich mitochondria).
Gastrointestinal health (gut-brain axis).
What is the gut-brain axis (GBA)?
The gut-brain axis (GBA) is the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system. The vagus nerve plays a key role in this communication, containing 80% afferent (sensory) and 20% efferent fibres.
How do gut microbes interact with the nervous system?
Gut microbes influence the nervous system by:
Modulating neurotransmitter production (e.g., serotonin).
Producing bacterial metabolites (e.g., SCFAs that support intestinal barriers and influence memory).
Modulating afferent sensory nerves (e.g., L. reuteri enhances neuron excitability).
Influencing BDNF production.
What role does the gut barrier play in nervous system health?
The gut barrier influences nervous system health by preventing microbial access to the immune system. Compromise of the gut barrier can lead to immune activation, increased permeability, metabolic endotoxemia, and neuroinflammation (e.g., elevated LPS levels are linked to depression).
What are the key factors that influence general nervous function?
Answer:
Inflammation, oxidative stress, and toxic load (e.g., infection, toxins, glycaemic variability, stress).
Reduced expression of neurotrophic factors (e.g., BDNF, NGF) due to stress, ageing, or inactivity.
Mitochondrial changes related to ageing, inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutritional deficits.
What are SCFAs, and how do they support the gut-brain axis?
SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) are bacterial metabolites that support the intestinal barrier, promote mucosal serotonin release, and influence memory and learning processes.
What is metabolic endotoxemia, and how does it relate to the nervous system?
Metabolic endotoxemia occurs when gut barrier compromise allows microbial endotoxins like LPS to enter circulation, triggering immune activation and potentially leading to neuroinflammation and conditions like depression.
