The Brain in Meltdown

THIS IS THE BRAIN IN MELTDOWN

By: Ayesha Khan

The Affect of Stress on the Brain

Ever Had Anxiety or Stress?

Normal Unstressed Brain

• carries out normal functions

• nauseous
• nervous
• increasing heart beat
• anxious

• short breaths
• uneasiness
• worry
• tension

• Prefrontal Cortex- controls our ability to resist inappropriate impulses

• PFC sends signals within the brain to regulate our striatum (habits), hypothalamus (basic appetites) and amygdala (emotional responses)

Anxiety

vs.

Stress

• PFC also regulates the stress responses (ex. neurons make norepinephrine and dopamine)

Stressed Brain

• Normal functions are affected

• Amyglada causes excess production of norepinephrine and dopamine

• Due to this production, the PFC shuts down and the activity in the striatum and amyglada is strengthened.

• High levels of nonepriprhine and dopamine
• Turns on receptors that enable harmful channels
• Channels disconnect links between PFN
• Weakens PRC's role in controlling emotions

Neurons and no Stress

• Normal circuits operation

• Working memory
• Circuitry sends message to lower brain
• Message to amyglada

Neurons and Stress

Why the Brain Goes from "Reflective" to "Reflexive"

Neurons

• Network connections
• Flood of arousal chemicals
• Shut down neuron firing
• Network activity diminishes
• Adrenal glands
• Cortisol
• SELF -CONTROL

What is a neuron?

Treatments of Stress

• Triggering of primal reactions
• Can reflect or reflex
• Saved lives
• Remain in function -weakness
• Emergencies
• Automatic reactions
• Training basal ganglia

Genetics and the Environment's Connection to Stress

• Relaxation
• Deep breathing
• Meditation

• Prazosin- blocks action
• Guanfacine - prevents stress reaction

• Forms of genes

• Pyramidal shaped
• Executive center
• Connections
• Self-control
• Sensitive to stress
• Mental paralysis

• Lead poisoning

• Juveniles are more Capable
• Stumble = sensitivity

• Genetic makeup causes sensitivity
• Neurotransmitters switch off PFA
• Enzymes destroy neurotransmitters
• Baseline

Work Cited

Arsten, Amy , Carolyn M.Mazure, and Rajita Sinha. "This Is Your Brain in Meltdown ." N.p., Apr. 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2017.

"Dictionary: Search the Merriam-Webster dictionary first. Here's why..." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.

"How Does Stress Affects the Brain." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Feb. 2016. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.

Axis3d. "Neuron activity." YouTube. YouTube, 17 Aug. 2014. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.

Thank You!

Agenda

• The Parts of a Brain
• Function of Parts
• Affect of Stress on the Brain
• Environmental Factors
• Long term effects
• Gender Roles
• Treatments

The Prefrontal Area

Effects of Continuous Stress

• World War 11- highly skilled pilots would make simply fatal mistakes and scientists wanted to find out why

• Chronic stress
• Signal-receiving dendrites in amyglada enlarge
• PFC shrinks
• PFC dendrites can regrow
• Severe stress will eliminate this
• PFC shrinkage relates to history

• Sensitive - "special status within the hierarchy of brain structures"
• Most evolved region the brain
• Maturity
• Control
• Stores memories and information
• PF area also prevents inappropriate impulses.

Effect of Stress on the Basal Ganglia and the Amyglada

• Stronger hold
• Dopamine
• Habitual emotions

• Similar changes
• Norepinephrine/cortisol present
• Amyglada alerts for danger
• Strengthens memories related to fear

Gender Roles

Women

Men

• Exacerbates cravings
• Eliciting habitual behaviors mediated

• Hormone estrogen
• Greater risk of depression
• Reduced abstinence from addictive behaviours

The Brain