Overview
Learning Objective
• Identify and Describe the Main Components
of the Nervous System
• Understand the Functions of the Nervous
System
• Diseases/Disorders
The Nervous System
The nervous system acts as the body's central control center and communication
network, enabling us to move, think, feel, and react to our surroundings.
Central Nervous System
Brain: The brain is the boss of the nervous system. It controls
everything we do, including thinking, feeling, and moving. It
also processes information from our senses
Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is like a highway that connects the
brain to the rest of the body. It sends messages back and forth
between the brain and different body parts.
Peripheral Nervous System
Nerves: These are like wires that connect the brain and spinal
cord to the rest of the body. They carry messages to and from
the brain and spinal cord.
Somatic Nervous System: This part controls voluntary
movements, like walking or picking up a pencil.
Autonomic Nervous System: This part controls involuntary
actions, like your heartbeat and digestion. It has two main parts:
Functions of the Nervous System
Sensory Input: The nervous system gathers information from
our senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) and sends it to
the brain.
Integration: The brain processes this information and makes
decisions about what to do.
Motor Output: The brain sends signals to muscles and glands
to make the body respond, like moving your hand away from
something hot or releasing hormones.
Neurons
Neurons are the main cells in the nervous system. They carry
messages throughout the body.
Each neuron has:
Dendrites: They receive messages from other neurons.
Axon: It sends messages to other neurons or body parts.
Synapse: This is the tiny gap between neurons where messages
are passed.
The nervous system plays a vital role in all our actions. It enables us to engage
with the world, maintains the function of our organs, and facilitates learning and
memory processes. Exploring its functions can lead to improved health and
overall well-being.
THE BRAIN
frontal parietal
lobe lobe
occipital
thalamus lobe
hypothalamus
temporal
lobe
cerebellum
brainstem
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is when the blood supply
to part of the brain is cut off. This
causes the cells in this area of the
brain to die off.
Types of Strokes
Ischemic Stroke Hemorrhagic Stroke
Occurs when the blood Occurs when a blood vessel
supply is cut off, due to a bursts and bleeds reducing
clot forming within a blood the blood supply to the
vessel in the brain. brain.
Symptoms
Arm or leg Speech Facial Visual
weakness changes weakness changes
Risk Factors • Raised
cholesterol
• High blood
pressure
• Uncontrolled
diabetes
• Excessive
alcohol
• Smoking
• Atrial
fibrillation
Checking
for
irregular
Blood tests
for
Diagnosis
cholesterol
heartbeat
CT scans MRI scans
Treatment Physical therapies
Thrombolysis &
thrombectomy
Psychological
therapies
Medication
WHAT IS
PARKINSON’S
?
It is a progressive
neurological condition
of the brain.
SYMPTOMS
Memory Slow
Tremor
problems movement
Reduced
Rigidity Depression
balance
CAUSES
Nerve cells within the
substantia nigra, which is part
of the basal ganglia structure
of the brain, are reduced. This
reduces the chemical
dopamine, producing the
symptoms of Parkinson’s.
RISK
FACTO
RS
Pesticide
exposure
Genetics
Being
Being
over 50
Male
DIAGNOSIS
There is no exact test for Parkinson’s and
many other conditions may have similar
symptoms. It can be diagnosed by
presenting with the known symptoms, a
DaT scan, an MRI scan or SPECT scan.
TREATMEN
T
There is no cure for Parkinson’s but the
following treatments help to relieve symptoms:
• Physiotherapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Medication (Levodopa or dopamine
agonists)
• Psychological methods
