Disorders of the Brain (Essay Sample)

Disorders of the Brain
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9th February, 2015
Mental Disorders
The brain is the focal point of the central nervous system, which also includes the nerves of the spine. The Central Nervous System (CNS) receives processes and sends billions of signals every day by way of chemicals and electrical impulses. Given the delicate nature of the brain, it is susceptible to varying malfunctions that may occur at any stage of life (Rollnick & Miller, 1995, pp. 330). A brain disorder is a condition that affects the activity of the brain and produces a behavior that causes one to have a significantly reduced ability to function well in his/her life or to pose a threat to his/her well-being and the well-being of others. Most of the disorders emanate from malfunctions in the primary functions of the brain while others emanate from the psychological patterns and habits, which over long periods affect secondary brain activity.
Many a times the conditions derive primarily from her functional problems in the brain whereas other conditions may derive from psychological patterns and habits which over time, cause a secondary effect on brain activity. Brain disorders may affect the focal areas of one’s brain that control how one moves, thinks, and behaves. Some brain diseases may also constrict the vessels of the brain such as brain tumors (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007, pp. 87). . The different types of brain disorders include brain injuries, brain tumors, degenerative diseases, and mental health conditions. Mental health conditions alter the behavior patterns of the individual and may be either acute or chronic. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are classic examples of brain disorders that may lead to chronic conditions.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder synonymously known as manic-depressive disorder is a brain malfunction that results in abnormal shifts in the mood, energy levels, and the ability of someone to carry out their daily routine. The degree of severity of the episodes of mania as well as depression varies from time to time (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007, pp. 85). Patients with the disorder normally experience intense emotional states that often occur during distinct periods known as ‘mood episodes’ an over excited or over joyous mood is the manic episode. Conversely, an extreme hopeless state of mind as well as mood is the depressive episode. Every so often, the patient may show the indications of both the hyper stage and those of the depressive stage and this is alluded to as a blended state. Individuals with this issue are regularly peevish and unstable amid the diverse inclination scenes. Attributes of the hyper stage includes, elevated vitality, patients feel like they are bound for significance, they get to be furious effortlessly, pick up battles, make absurd choices, for example, participating in sexual conduct with anybody, get to be more innovative and accuse those individuals who caution them about their conduct. Hypomania is less extreme manifestation of craziness.
Manifestations of misery incorporate; patients have less craving for nourishment, loss of vitality, experience physical and mental laziness, powerlessness to experience delight, feeling miserable, tragic, or vacant, have rest issues, considerations of death and sentiments of uselessness or blame (Rollnick & Mill operator, 1995, pp. 329). The bipolar issue indications are not the same as the ordinary challenges that everybody ordinarily experiences unfailingly. These manifestations may prompt broke relations, decaying exhibitions both at work and at home what's more, in great cases suicide. In any case, this issue can be dealt with and the individuals influenced lead gainful lives.
Parts of the cerebrum included in the Bipolar Issue
There is confirmation to propose that parts of the mind work a ton harder and quicker amid the hyperactive periods. Through different procedures, analysts have found that the peculiarities in the mind are in charge of the temperament scenes and have interconnections with dialect and in addition memory. These studies further clarify why bipolar patients think and act distinctively structure their typical partners. Abnormalities in the cerebrum structure and arrangement are in charge of this issue. MRI results have shown enlarged ventricle spaces in patients with the disorder; these are spaces that convey cerebrospinal around the brain. This shows that the brain has lesser brain tissue, which is deterioration in the brain structure. Additionally, the brain structure was found to contain an abnormal amount of white matter known as 'white matter hyperintensities. White matter is involved in conveying information to different parts of the brain. Patients with hyperintensities of the brain have recurrence of the bipolar disorder, which is three times common than in the general population. Additionally, bipolar patient have lesser glial cells in the brain; these are cells that provide insulation to the brain neurons assisting them in effective communication (Sachs & Thase, 2000, pp. 581). The less glial cells density within the patients with the bipolar disorder is an indication that these brains do not communicate efficiently. This is tosay that, with difficulties in the bipolar brain communicating with itself as a result of the white matter hyperintensities as well as glial deterioration the fluctuations in one’s mood is a result of the natural miscommunication.
Methods used to study Bipolar Disorder
Systems used to study Bipolar Issue Cerebrum Imaging studies are helping researchers contemplate the occasions that happen in the mind of an individual experiencing bipolar issue. New imaging instruments for the cerebrum, for example, utilitarian attractive reverberation imaging (fMRI) and positron discharge tomography (PET) have made it feasible for analysts to take pictures of the living mind in real life. This has helped in examining the cerebrum structure and its movement (Sachs & Thase, 2000, pp. 579). These studies indicate how the brains of those with the bipolar issue work uniquely in contrast to the individuals who are sound.
Case in point, a study utilizing the fMRI found that the examples of mind health of kids with the issue look like that of youngsters with multi-dimensional debilitation. This issue shows manifestations like those of the bipolar issue. X-ray works by examining the cerebrum utilizing a magnet that is connected to a PC. Each one sweep of the X-ray produces many advanced pictures from different points to give an exact 3D picture. The results have demonstrated amplified ventricle spaces; these are spaces that pass on cerebrospinal around the cerebrum (Sachs & Thase, 2000, pp. 581). The magnets utilize the natural magnetic properties of the blood since blood cells contain iron and hence allow an image to be projected on a screen informing the researchers of the brain areas with the high and low blood flows (Grof, 2012). Further, it documents the brain parts that consume more oxygen and sugar as those working harder than other parts of the brain. There is evidence to suggest that parts of the brain work a lot harder and faster during the manic periods. Through various techniques, researchers have discovered that the anomalies in the brain are responsible for the mood episodes and have interconnections with language as well as memory. These studies further explain why bipolar patients think and act differently form their normal counterparts.
Neuro-transmitters involved with the bipolar disorder
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that act as messengers between the brain and the Central Nervous System. According to the ‘American Journal of Psychiatry", neurotransmitters have been attributed as the main cause of the disorder though other factors lead to this order including structural differences in the brain. Genetic and environmental factors also trigger the development of this disorder (Sachs & Thase, 2000, pp. 580). The neurotransmitters suspected to be involved often lead to the mood episodes, regulate stress levels, sleep patterns, pleasure, concentration as well as other cognitive functions. Examples of neurotransmitters involved include dopamine, melatonin, Serotonin, Glutamate, GABA and Norepinephrine
Dopamine
This neurotransmitter is from the amino acid known as tyrosine. It affects the reward areas of the brain and is involved in sleep regulation, motivation, attention, as well as learning. Dopamine plays a role in the shifts from manic to depression in patients with the bipolar disorder (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007, pp. 84). Evidence shows that dopamine levels are high the manic episodes and depression is attributed to low levels of dopamine the patient often behaves impulsively and takes part in a lot of pleasure filled risky behavior for instance, risky sex behavior, impulse buying as well as shopping sprees. As a result, the economic status of a person may be highly affected because of unplanned purchases; needless to say, the patient may contract sexually transmitted infections due to the sexual impulses.
Melatonin
This hormone is derived from the amino acid known as tryptophan. It is produced by the pineal gland of the brain and regulates the sleep wake cycles of an individual. Its levels vary throughout day and night (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007, pp. 86). The release of melatonin is altered in patients with the bipolar disorder. This leads to patients with the disorder experiencing restlessness as well as decreased sleep patterns during the manic episodes. As for the depressive episodes, the patient sleeps more as they are disinterested in what is going on around them and more often than not feel tired and worn out.
Interventions of Bipolar Disorder