Diseases of the Brain and their Consequences

 

In order to understand the diseases of the brain, we must first have a basic understanding of the brain. Every human being has a brain. Many would argue that the brain is one of the most important organs in the human body. It is made up of sixty percent fats. The other forty percent is comprised of water, proteins, carbohydrates, and salts. It is split into three main parts: the cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum. The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain. The cerebrum is split into four lobes. The frontal lobe is responsible for a person’s personality, speech, movements, and sense of smell. The parietal lobe aids in spatial awareness and object identification. It also allows a person to recognize touch and pain. The occipital lobe is responsible for our ability to see. Lastly, the temporal lobe controls short-term memory and a sense of musical rhythm. The brainstem is also made up of multiple parts. The brainstem is what connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. The final part of the brain is the cerebellum and it maintains posture and balance. All of these parts of the brain work together, allowing us to function the way we do.

The brain and the mind are often discussed as if they are the same. In reality, the mind is the activity of the brain. Most disorders of the mind tend to be caused by an entanglement of genetic imbalances and environmental factors. Some research has shown that psychosocial stressors have a significant effect on the way the brain functions. One of the most common psychosocial stressors people face is trauma. Trauma is one of the leading causes of the development of mental illnesses. There is no easy way to undo the effects of trauma on the brain. However, the brain must be healed to heal the mind.

Many types of diseases can affect the brain. Neurological disorders can impact motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and Parkinson’s fall into this category. Personality disorders, such as schizophrenia and OCD, affect behavior and mood. There are also developmental disorders like autism and Prader-Willi. Storage disorders are characterized by defective lysosomal enzymes. When this happens in the brain we see conditions like Tay-Sachs and Gaucher. Lastly, there are prion diseases which are rare and fatal. They are caused when prion proteins are misfolded and clump together in the brain. Many of these begin during childhood and continue into adulthood.

Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease. It is unknown what the cause of Alzheimer’s is but there is a genetic factor in the odds of developing it. Most patients have plaques in the brain which hinder neuron functionality. The second common thing seen in Alzheimer’s patients is broken microtubules in the neurons. These two things are extremely important because neurons are responsible for sending action potentials. Action potentials are the body’s way of signaling that some change must occur in order to maintain homeostasis. Without these action potentials, many bodily functions cannot occur. This disease has an immensely negative effect on memory and thinking. Millions of people have Alzheimer’s and it is one of the top ten causes of death in the United States. Alzheimer’s treatment is expensive. In 2020, healthcare institutions spent over 300 billion dollars on treatment.

Another common mental illness is depression. This falls under personality and mood disorders. There are many types of depression. Postpartum depression is seen in women shortly after giving birth. Psychotic depression is seen when someone suffers from a form of psychosis as well as depression. Seasonal depression is present during the colder months when there is less sunlight. This is usually “healed” after winter passes but can return. Bipolar disorder is sometimes considered a form of depression because one may experience lows that meet all criteria of depression. Depression is caused by an amalgam of genetic and environmental factors. The greatest risk factor for depression is a family history. It is also commonly brought about by stress. Lastly, injury to the brain can give rise to this ailment. Forty-four percent of people who experience a traumatic brain injury will develop depression.

Another way the delicate system of the brain can be disrupted is by consuming drugs. Drugs are substances that have a physiological impact on the body. These molecules disrupt neural physiology. There are many categories of drugs. Prescription drugs can be retrieved from pharmacies for medical uses. Over-the-counter drugs are sold at regular stores and most do not have restrictions on who can purchase them. Recreational drugs are used for fun. Lastly, illicit drugs are those that the government has banned such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Some drugs work by activating neurons, whereas others block the activation of neurons. Drugs are only effective if they can reach the brain. To do this they must first enter the blood. The method of administration determines how quickly drugs enter the bloodstream. Oral consumption is the slowest and injecting is the fastest. Once in the blood, the drug(s) must pass the blood-brain barrier. They can do so because they resemble chemicals that the body naturally produces. Drugs are a common part of our lives, yet we do not understand the full physiological, sociological, or ecological impacts they could have now or in the future. 

The repeated use of drugs can permanently alter your neural network and can lead to a disease called addiction where drugs are prioritized over work, family, and health. People are more at risk of developing an addiction if they have an impulsive personality or have suffered abuse.  Due to the fact that addiction affects the prefrontal cortex, some people may be unaware of the ramifications their addiction has. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, twenty-one million Americans suffer from addiction, yet many do not get treatment because of the negative stigma around it.

Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive chemical globally. Caffeine works by binding to adenosine receptors, which causes an increase in the production of adrenaline. The increase in adrenaline increases blood flow and sugar output from the liver. This is what causes the sensation of having more energy. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, and energy drinks. One study found that almost ninety percent of American adults report regular caffeine intake. Fifty percent of adults regularly drink coffee. Consumers in the United States spend billions of dollars on coffee annually. Soft drinks also generate billions of dollars in revenue. In Cedar City alone, there are ten coffee-based stores and six soda-based stores. Furthermore, eight of the top ten most popular sodas are caffeinated. The substantial economic benefit from the caffeine industry is believed to be the main reason that caffeine use is not regulated. Caffeine levels in foods are not restricted by the FDA. The FDA previously tried to limit synthetic caffeine levels but received great opposition as it would decrease soda profits. Caffeine intake should be monitored as negative side effects following prolonged caffeine use include insomnia, increased anxiety levels, and gastrointestinal problems. 

Another commonly used drug is tobacco. Tobacco use became popularized because it was a symbol of wealth. Today, there are about six million tons of tobacco harvested each year.  Tobacco leaves are dried and then smoked, releasing nicotine. Nicotine is an extremely addictive chemical. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and acts as a stimulant, increasing dopamine and epinephrine release. Oddly enough, as more nicotine is consumed its effects slowly shift from stimulating to sedating. According to the world health organization, tobacco can kill up to half of its users. In 2020, they found that twenty-two percent of the global population used tobacco. Unlike caffeine which has significant economic benefits, tobacco has a large economic cost. The use of tobacco leads to 200 billion dollars of economic damages annually. Some smokers spend up to a thousand dollars each year on tobacco products. Tobacco is also dangerous because it can be a gateway drug.

Untreated diseases of the brain can have immense economic consequences. Those suffering from mental illness are less like to complete school and less likely to maintain a job. One study from Denmark showed that treatment of mental illness directly correlates with a decrease in economic losses for families. In the United States, the federal government budgets some money for treating mental illness. There are two programs that this money funds. The first is Medicaid. In 2020, 70 billion dollars from Medicaid went to treating mental illnesses. Social security disability insurance also helps treat mental illness. 29% of those receiving SSDI have some mental illness. This is about two and a half million people. More people receive SSDI for treatment of mental illness than those who need it due to injuries, cancer, circulatory problem, and nervous system issues, combined.