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Brain
The center of our nervous system and daily thoughts, the brain is a complex, magnificent organ. Ask questions about parts of the brain and their functions here.
2,537 Questions
As of the year 2012, nobody in the scientific community has really been able to answer this question with research. Although the brain itself does not possess sensory innervation, the outer covering of the brain, called the meninges, does. These meninges can sense pain through the meningeal branches of the trigeminal nerve. This is the reason why people can sense pain when they have meningitis and this is probably the reason why people can feel the electrical sensations that most on the internet have described as "brain zaps," "brain shivers," or "battery head."
Brain zaps are usually associated with taking or withdrawing from certain anti-depressants, such as SSRIs, but they can also be caused by taking or withdrawing from other drugs, such as benzodiazapines. Some may go as far as even claiming that they can have psychogenic origins, such as with anxiety or panic attacks.
It appears to be a form of post-acute withdrawal syndrome and some might argue that it falls under the purview of SSRI discontinuation syndrome. Whatever it is, one thing is certain: it is extremely uncomfortable, it is extremely irritating, and it must be scientifically investigated.
Theoretically, these symptoms could last anywhere from months, years, to a lifetime. These symptoms could be permanent, there is little known about how to best treat them, and it is not known whether or not these have any unforeseen long-term health consequences, such as predisposing an individual to early dementia. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence exists on the internet regarding the use of GABA agonists and NMDA antagonists to treat this disease, such as acaprosate, memantine, magnesium, ketamine, dextromethorphan, and phencyclidine.
Genetics, GABA receptor downregulation, and NMDA upregulation must play a large role in the pathogenesis of these symptoms. It seems to be a phenomenon of cerebral neuroexcitability sensed via the meningeal branches of the trigeminal nerve.
It is entirely possible that coconsumption of GABA agonists while taking SSRIs may precipitate this symptom in the genetically susceptible. For example, studies have shown that the chronic administration of GABA agonists can cause hyperexcitability (Begleiter 1977) and binge drinking and depression are associated with serontonin receptor mutations (Herman et al 2003). Many people take benzodiazapines and/or drink alcohol while on SSRIs, so it is possible that they are causing permanent downregulation of the GABA receptors allowing for a hyperexcitable cerebral cortex--i.e. "battery head."
What seems to be the most disconcerting about this symptom, however, is the fact that Alzheimer's disease is associated with a hyperexcitable cerebral cortical cortex as well. Thus, in will interesting to see how many legal complaints will be filed against pharmaceutical companies if it turns out that there is an association between taking SSRIs and dementia in the near future.
Begleiter, H., & Porjesz, B. (1977). Persistence of brain hyperexcitability following chronic alcohol exposure in rats. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 85B, 209-222.
Herman AI et.al. (2003). Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism and Differences in Alcohol Consumption Behavior in a College Student Population. Alcohol and Alcoholism 38: 446-449.
Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
Matthew R. Hynd, Heather L. Scott, Peter R. Dodd
Neurochem Int. 2004 October; 45(5): 583-595. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2004.03.007
The brain controls body temperature, water balance, and sleep.
Can adderall increase oxygen to the brain?
it releases chemicals that your brain has stored in order to increase attention span and efficiency of your thought processes
At birth it was only about a quarter of its eventual adult size. But by age 2, it has reached three-fourths of adult size! And by 5, the brain will be very close to adult size and volume.
The meninges and cerebrospinal fluid separate the brain from the skull and provide protection and cushion for the brain. The meninges are composed of three layers which surround not only the brain but the entire central nervous system. From the topmost layer closest to the skull to the bottommost layer closest to the brain, the meninges consist of the dura mater, arachnoid and pia matter. The cerebrospinal fluid fills the region between the arachnoid and pia mater and within the skull the brain, in essence, floats within this fluid.
What are the disadvantages of brain fingerprinting testing?
It is 100% accurate but it invades privacy...
What part of the brain does happiness come from?
When you are happy the brain releases chemical such as serotonin.
The activity of the hypothalamus most directly influences?
The hypothalamus directly influences the nervous system and the endocrine system. The hypothalamus uses the pituitary gland to link those 2 systems together.
nerves in your body transmit the info to your brain but many other systems are involved in the process. But that's the main one.
A person whose brain suffers from a dysregulation of the serotonin system might suffer from?
epilepsy
Yes.
Yes they do have a brain everything that is living has a brain.
mi_ch_ae_la_7 says:
Actually that's not completely true... Trees for instance do not have brains, yet they are living. I think the question is relevant to an actual brain in the anatomy, not a metaphorical brain of a living thing. Another living thing that does not have a brain is fungi, it's still living, yet has no brain. An amoeba? Also does not have brain. Cells do not have brains. I think I've proven my point. Thank you.
The removal of a bone flap near the skull in order to access the brain.
Lol. Technically, sure if you're in a fire, or too close to the Sun. Otherwise, no. However, you can lose connections between cells within the brain that "zap" info to other parts of your brain that make you respond. This happens with age. It is believed that long term marijuana smoking does this. Science has shown that you can improve the connections with different brain exercises, such as improving memorization skills (numbers, letters, and object placements), concentration kinds of games, and other knowledge builders.
Is the hypothalamus in the forebrain?
Good question, in order to solve this question lets look at the functions of the hypothalamus:
- The Hypothalamus controls your body's internal organs and ANS (autonomic nervous system)
- It also regulates the pituitary glands ( which are responsible for things like water concentration in your body and thyroid)
- The Hypothalamus also controls and maintains body temperature, blood pressure, and water levels ( done through the pituitary glands)
-it also controls thirst,hunger, and sex drive and produces hormones like aDH.
I guess when you look at all the functions of the hypothalamus without it you'd be dead in no time, therefore, I'd say you could classify it as the brain of the brain in conjugation with the medulla oblongata (which is a part of the brain responsible for breathing and heart rate)
What is foci of T2 hyperintensity in the subcortical and periventricular white matter?
This phrase is a statement that would be used by a radiologist when reviewing the results from a MRI. Breaking down the phrase by individual parts:
T2 - An indication of the type of scan that was done. In a T2-weighted scan, areas that are fluid-filled appear bright, while areas that are fatty appear dark. A T1 scan would show the opposite results.
Hyperintensity - An indication of a bright region on the scan.
Foci of T2 Hyperintensity, therefore, means "focal points, or concise areas, of very bright spots."
Subcortical and periventricular white matter - These are locations within the brain. Regions of the brain are categorized by color (white matter or grey matter) and location (cortical, or related to the cortex, subcortical, or below the cortex, etc).
The statement, therefore, means "white spots on a MRI scan at certain locations within the brain."
This statement alone does not indicate any particular disease is present. It is a piece of information that a neurologist would use to help determine whether or not someone had a certain disease or condition. There are many conditions or diseases which can cause white spots on the brain; only a neurologist can sort through the possibilities and determine what caused these white spots.
Which part of the brain controls mental processes?
The medulla oblongata is located at the base of the brain and controls breathing, heartbeat etc.
