Curated Paper 2 Maia Florence

     The brain is a highly complex organ that follows the theme of Ayurveda. I have enjoyed learning more about the brain from the perspective of biology and psychology. Last year, in my biochemistry class I learned about several diseases that can develop in the brain if balance is not maintained. These diseases include storage, neurological, personality disorders, and diseases caused by prions. Individuals who develop these diseases often have symptoms that limit their ability to live normal lives. While speaking with my psychology major friend I also learned how memories affect our brains. 

The translation of proteins is a very complex and specific process. When mistakes are made in the genetic code, such as repeats, insertions, or deletions, there may be negative consequences regarding which protein is synthesized. Huntington’s disease is one such disease that is caused when a repeat region on the chromosome becomes expanded. The expansion causes changes in the proteasome, making it unable to remove misshapen and nonfunctional proteins. The mutated proteins accumulate and can lead to a person developing dementia. 

Dementia is a condition that interferes with an individual’s ability to remember, think clearly, and use proper judgment. Besides Huntington’s disease, dementia can also result from stroke, amnesia, and Alzheimer’s disease. I have an elderly neighbor who has early-onset dementia. She has trouble remembering things ranging from turning off the stove to the names of friends and family. It has been sad to see her decline mentally over the past months and years. Recently, my grandpa has been showing symptoms of dementia. I have had several conversations with him, and he forgot what he had been talking about a few minutes ago. He has a difficult time remembering who people are and recent events. 

Alzheimer’s disease has proven to be a puzzle in the medical field. Experts are unsure of the cause of the disease and there is yet to be a definitive cure. It has been found that Alzheimer’s is heritable and that it develops in later years. Individuals with Alzheimer’s often have plaques, which are build-ups of beta-amyloid proteins between nerve cells. Another common factor is tangles in neurons. The plaques and tangles make it difficult for messages to be transmitted between neurons. Currently, Alzheimer’s is being treated with drugs that inhibit acetylcholinesterase. 

The functionality of the brain can be altered by the development of Huntington’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. In addition, traumatic brain injuries affect the proper functioning of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries occur when physical force is applied to the brain. This trauma can lead to changes in the personality and mood of a person. The effects of brain injuries impact all aspects of a person’s life. They may have difficulty functioning in society and familial relationships can become strained. 

Traumatic brain injuries can result from car accidents, sports, falls, and violence. When I was a senior in high school I got a concussion while playing in a soccer game. A player on the team threw her head back into mine when we were both going to head a ball. Immediately, I knew that something was not right. I fell to my knees and an athletic trainer came over and proceeded to carry out the concussion protocol. The trainer informed me that I had a concussion and that I would be unable to play soccer for a couple of weeks. In the following days, I slept a great deal and had constant headaches. Over time the headaches receded and I was returned to my normal activities. Fortunately, my concussion did not cause long-term damage to my brain. 

Our brain is responsible for storing memories and developing habits. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that deals with memory. In 1953, Henry Molaison had his hippocampus removed. Previous to the removal of his hippocampus, he had suffered from seizures. After surgery, his seizures stopped, but he was unable to remember anything from the past decade. He did not have any memories. This helped further the understanding of the role of the hippocampus in memory. Our memories shape us into the person that we are. Past experiences guide our present actions. Without remembering these experiences, the differences between who we are now would be vast. 

Eugene Pauly played a vital role in understanding the relationship between the brain and habits. Viral encephalitis had damaged the tissue of his medial temporal lobe, making it difficult for him to learn new information. Eugene was able to practice the habits of walking in his neighborhood and around his house, but he could not describe the layout of either. He was able to perform these tasks without thinking. These findings helped to link the basal ganglia to habit formation.

Disorders can arise in the brain due to complications in development. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to individuals having different ways of behaving differently in how they interact and communicate with others. Autism may make it difficult for people to converse with others and make friends. Usually, individuals develop rigid routines and become fascinated with niche hobbies. The root cause of autism is unclear. There is a link to it being hereditary, but for the most part, it is unknown. 

Signaling pathways play a significant role in the functioning of the human body and can be affected by drugs. Drugs affect how signals are received and sent by neurons and they can mimic chemicals already present in the brain. Some drugs can amplify or disrupt communication that is taking place in the pathways. Drugs can have adverse effects when improperly used, but when used correctly they provide beneficial treatment. There is still significant research that needs to be conducted on how drugs affect the brain. Many side effects are not fully understood and some have not yet come to light. Further support for the concept of Ayurveda is found in the interactions between signaling pathways and drugs. 

Signaling pathways are specific and the conformations of a molecule determine its function. Drugs are synthetic molecules that resemble compounds made by the body. The binding site for molecules has an induced fit. When the correct compound binds, then the site can become activated. Once a drug has bound to a receptor, then it can begin to carry out its functions. 

Drugs come in many different forms such as prescription, recreational, over-the-counter, illicit, and herbal, and can be administered by various methods. They can be taken orally, inhaled, or injected intravenously. To reach their end goal, the drugs must enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, they attach to receptors in various locations and are broken down. The chemicals can then be removed and excreted as waste.

The effects that drugs have on the body are often physiological. They can increase heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and muscle tension, and alter thoughts, mood, and pain levels. Stimulants are drugs that affect the nervous system. They increase the nervous system’s activity and cause anxiety, agitation or hallucinations. Drugs that cause hallucinations target sensors involved in sensory input. These types of drugs have been known to cause paranoia and even death. 

The downside of using drugs is that an individual can become dependent on them, which ultimately leads to addiction. Typically an individual with an addiction will have a difficult time overcoming it. This can be attributed to the structure and chemistry of their brain being changed. They have become completely dependent on a substance. I have seen many individuals battle addictions. It is heart-wrenching to see them sacrifice all that they have for drugs. Addiction robs a person of balance and Ayurveda is lost. 

Many people abuse drugs because of the pleasure that comes after use. The drugs target the reward system in the brain. Dopamine is released upon drug use, which plays a role in pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. As drug use continues, the amount of dopamine produced is reduced. This leads to individuals using drugs to feel pleasurable feelings that are out of balance. Drug abuse contributes to economic costs for healthcare, criminal justice, and loss of productivity. Those who abuse drugs have to receive medical treatment and may not be able to be a part of the workforce because of incarceration or the need for rehabilitation. 

When I was in high school I was involved in a car accident which resulted in me breaking my back. I was given opioids during the recovery process to help overcome the extreme pain that I was in. The doctors warned me of the dangers of opioid addiction, which is a growing problem. Many people become addicted to opioids and seek to obtain them when they are no longer needed. I played it safe and only took the drugs when I needed them. I did not want to become reliant on them like others had and embark on the road of addiction. 

The use of drugs has become prevalent in professional and collegiate athletes. My mom works in the athletic department at Southern Utah University where she helps to coordinate drug testing with the NCAA. The athletic trainers meet with the athletes and review the types of drugs that are not allowed during competition. They are unable to use performance-enhancing and illicit drugs. These types of drugs are banned because the NCAA wants the playing field to be equal amongst athletes and because of the significant health risks. 

Drugs are complicated and fascinating compounds, but they should be used cautiously. They can treat many diseases, but when left unchecked they can become quite hazardous. As always it is vital to appreciate the need for balance in the body. Drugs can alter signaling pathways and disrupt homeostasis. This can have adverse side effects that may be long-lasting and even life-threatening.