Question

Central Nervous System Discussion

The concept of synaptic pruning is discussed on page 730 in the course text. Give an example of how this may apply to neurogenic disorders. What cranial nerve mnemonic sentence would you use to remember the 12 cranial nerves?

Answer 1

Synaptic pruning is a process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.This process occurs between early childhood and the onset of puberty,Synaptic pruning is believed to remove unnecessary synaptic connections to make room for relevant new memories, But genetic mutations can affect the synaptic pruning process resulting in neurogenic disorders, for example in a condition like schizophrenia, it is believed that such people had fewer synapses in the prefrontal region compared to the brains of people without mental disorders. Resarchers believe that the brains of people with autism may be under-pruned.

Cranial nerve mnemonic.

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Olfactory nerve

II – Optic nerve

III – Oculomotor nerve

IV – Trochlear nerve

V – Trigeminal nerve/dentist nerve

VI – Abducens nerve

VII – Facial nerve

VIII – Vestibulocochlear nerve/Auditory nerve

IX – Glossopharyngeal nerve

X – Vagus nerve

XI – Accessory nerve/Spinal accessory nerve

XII – Hypoglossal nerve