Understanding and Interpreting Medical technology Flashcards
What does the Prefrontal Cortex do?
Prefrontal cortex: higher executive function, reasoning, attention – slow response to
impulse inhibition
What does the Limbic system do?
Limbic system: lower order emotional processing, impulsive – acts quickly in
response to emotion
Where is the Amygdala located and what does it do?
Within the limbic system is the Amygdala: fight-or-flight response – fear, sadness,
anger, aggression (stress response)
What is the Amygdala Hijack?
The “Amygdala Hijack”
When faced with stress, there is a “back-and-forth” battle between the prefrontal
cortex and the “primitive” default system for emotion (the limbic system / amygdala).
When the amygdala wins, we retreat into “fight-and-flight” with
fear/sadness/anger/aggression. In this state, there is limited connection with the
prefrontal cortex. At this point, reasoning and communication is a challenge.
Can we overide the amygdala response?
The good news is that we do
have the capacity to override the amygdala response with the prefrontal cortex. We
can control our body response with our mind control. This is done through conscious
awareness and behaviour-cognitive techniques. Mindfulness strategies and
professional therapy is effective in helping us navigate our emotional responses to
stress.
What is the Hypothalamus?
-The hypothalamus is essential in homeostasis (balance/regulation) of the body’s vital functions
-temperature, blood pressure, mood, hunger and thirst, sex drive
and sleep.
-It acts as a “thermostat” to regulate these processes in response to signals
from the brain and peripheral cells.
-link between the nervous and
endocrine systems.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands (found on top of the
kidneys) and released in response to stress. While cortisol does have a “beneficial”
role in the body (e.g. regulation of blood pressure, mobilization of glucose for
metabolism, decreasing inflammation), chronically high levels of cortisol in the body
gives rise to health issues.
What is the HPA axis?
-central role in the body’s stress response. –It affects theentire body and its control systems
-namely cognition/emotion, immune system
(immunity and inflammation), metabolism and digestion.
The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis or HTPA axis) is a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among three components: the hypothalamus (a part of the brain located below the thalamus), the pituitary gland (a pea-shaped structure located below the hypothalamus), and the adrenal (also called “suprarenal”) glands
How does the HPA axis repond to stress?
When stress of any type (social, emotional, physical, environmental, etc) is perceived
and internalized, the HPA axis transmits the stress response to the entire body – cells,
organs, body systems – via nerve impulse, neurotransmitter (EP, NE) and endocrine
(cortisol) response.
What can chronically high levels of cortisol lead to?
Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to dysregulation or “dis-ease” à
autoimmune, cardiovascular, intestinal, muscular…
What is often refered to as our “Second Brain”?
Our “Second Brain”:
The Enteric Nervous System
What is the Enteric Nervous System?
-division of the autonomic nervous system (meaning automatic, without thinking)
-embedded into the digestive tract from the lower part of the esophagus to the
rectum.
-Often called our “second brain”, it communicates back-and-forth between
the GI tract and the brain.
What does the enteric nervous system control?
-contractions and movement of food)
-release of neurotransmitters and hormones,
-sensation of pain,
-cross-talk with the brain’s perception of environment (emotions, stress)
-thoughts and emotions can impact how the GI tract functions and feels.
What are some digestive issues that can develope due to stress?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Peptic ulcers.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
What is the “gut-microbiota-brain axis”?
The ‘gut–microbiota–brain axis’ refers to the network of connections involving multiple biological systems that allows bidirectional communication between gut bacteria and the brain
What is cross-communication?
The communication is two-way or back-andforth, known as cross-communication.
What are some of the systems that the Microbiota Gut-Brain axis communicates between?
*HPA axis and endocrine system
*circulatory system
*enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters
*immune system
*gut bacteria and metabolites they produce
* vagus nerve and brain
What is autoimmune disease? How can Chronic stress contrinute to it?
Chronic stress causes immune system dysregulation. In this illustration, one of the
immune cells, called the T-cell, becomes “confused”, and instead of protecting the
nerve cells of the body, attacks and breaks them down. This, in simplistic terms, is
known as autoimmune disease.
What is the center line running through the body called?
The center line running through the
body: median or midline
