Question

what fascinates you about how our nervous system works? Or the nervous systems of other animals? Do you have any thoughts about information processing? What about experiences with patients who have issues with information processing?

Answer 1

The nervous system is a network of cells called neurons that coordinate actions and transmit signals between different parts of the body, it basicaly contains set of neurons known as sensory neurons which transmits signals from the effector organs like, skin and gland, which is intrepted in the brain, once activated, the nervous system sends signals via motor output to muscles or glands to initiate the response.The unique thing about our nervous system is that there are more nerve cells in the human brain than there are stars in our galaxy, If we lined up all the neurons in our body it would be around 1000km long, 100 trillion Minimum number of neural connections, or synapses, in the human brain, another unique feature is the speed at which these signals pass through, it can be as high as 260 miles per hour along the motor neuron in the spinal cord or could range in as slow as 1 miles per hour in the sensory receptors of our skin.

Information is contained in the electric currents generated by neurons. Neurons process information, which is passed by action potentials, When these signals reach the end of a neuron, they stimulate the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters travel across synapses, spaces between neurons or between neurons and other body tissues and cells, some neurotransmitter which are excitatory in nature will stimulate electrical signals in other neurons and encourage responses from body cells, some neurotransmittors which are inhibitory nature will prevent cellular response from happening. Through these neurotransmitters, the nervous system regulates the activity of muscles, glands, and its own nerve pathways.

Disturbance or malfunction of the functions of the nervous system causes changes felt throughout the body. Many diseases can occur if the information processing is impaired, for eg, Alzheimers disease occurs, due to the loss of synapses in these pathway, it can also cognitive decline in a progressive manner. Motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord called motor neurones stop working properly, motor neuron diseases typically manifest as a group of movement-related symptoms., in parkinsons disease certain nerve cells in the brain gradually break down or die. Many of the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in your brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to this condition.