You control most of your movements, thoughts and decisions, but your autonomic system has control of such functions as digestion, circulation and mood. The blood-brain barrier does some fascinating work behind the scenes. The blood-brain barrier,...
GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is such an important neurotransmitter that your brain would rather make it itself rather than bring it in from the outside. Nature has erected a barrier between the central nervous system and the bloodstream that...
The blood-brain barrier prevents toxic substances, large molecules, and neurotransmitters released in the blood from entering the brain. Four areas of the brain are not protected by the blood-brain barrier. These areas include the posterior...
The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and accompanying spinal cord. Because the CNS contains fragile and sensitive organs, it is protected by a physiological blood-brain barrier. In addition, the brain and spinal cord are contained...
Alzheimer's accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia diagnoses. Alzheimer's disease is a disease of the brain in which memory and cognitive function are negatively affected. According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia begins when nerve...
The human body has a multitude of natural barriers in place to prevent infection and disease. These barriers can be both external and internal. The external barrier is the largest organ of your body, your skin. The internal barriers are your...
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters bridge the synaptic gaps between nerve cells in the brain so that information can be conveyed to the appropriate target. Different neurotransmitters serve different purposes. Serotonin is a...
Edema is the medical term used to describe swelling. Swelling of the brain is referred to as brain edema or cerebral edema. There are several subtypes of cerebral edema which can have diverse mechanisms and causes. All types of cerebral edema...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin cells in the central nervous system. It is believed that about 5 percent of northern Europeans carry the gene for MS and that its onset can be predicated by the area of the...
Treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia--also called acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL--involves several approaches that are used in combination. The decision as to the specific types of treatment is driven by the age of the patient and the...
Caffeine is a natural chemical that derives from plants, has no flavor, and stimulates your nervous system. It's found in some medicines and a variety of beverages including some soft drinks, teas and of course, coffee. This natural drug's effect...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasure and stay motivated. A lack of dopamine is also central to the development of Parkinson's Disease and restless leg syndrome. Though oral dosing of dopamine is ineffective---it cannot cross...
If your doctor orders a lumbar puncture test for you, he does so based on your symptoms. Something has led him to believe you have a disease or condition in your brain or spinal column. An examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) reveals...
GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is an amino acid that calms nervousness in the central nervous system. In the brain, GABA deficiency is believed to cause rapid firing of nerve cells leading to increases in agitation, anxiety, panic attacks,...
Glioma describes a type of brain tumor that originates in the glial cells in the brain --- those cells that do not carry nerve signals. Glial cells make up the supportive tissues in the brain, including the portion of the brain known as the...
Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite and some cognitive functions. It also is important for regulating intestinal movements and blood clotting. The Medical Biochemistry Page says that more...
Ammonia is a byproduct of the metabolism of protein. Biochemical reactions in your body rapidly convert ammonia into less harmful molecules under normal conditions. Liver disease can cause ammonia levels to build up in your body. Your brain is...
As a common neurotransmitter used by the brain to relay signals from one area to another, serotonin influences many psychological functions. From mood and temperature regulation to sexual desire and appetite, serotonin is integral to daily life....
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, sensory perception, mood and body temperature. Low levels may contribute to muscle weakness, stiffness, and a depressed mood; therefore, adequate levels are important for general health....
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that becomes progressively worse over time as the neurons in the substantia nigra area of the brain degenerate. This can greatly affect people's ability to move and induce symptoms commonly associated...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that carries messages in the brain regarding satiety, sleep patterns and general feelings of well being. Antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are designed to alleviate the...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has numerous physiological functions in the central nervous system. It is made from l-tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in many protein foods. Low serotonin levels in the brain occur from dietary...
Healthy eating is commonly associated with choosing foods with your physical health in mind. However, choosing foods that contribute to your psychological health can also improve your well-being. Knowing which foods help you maintain healthy...
If you have ever felt sluggish or experienced a brain fog, it may be because you are not providing your brain the nutrients that it needs to function properly. Good nutrition provides the building blocks necessary for not only a healthy body, but...
Beta blockers do not have Food and Drug Administration approval to treat anxiety, though many doctors prescribe it as an "off-label" use. These drugs more often treat various cardiovascular conditions. Beta blockers calm or even stop the physical...
Some types of brain cancers, known as primary tumors, arise when a particular type of brain cell undergoes transformation and grows and multiplies in abnormal ways, forming a tumor. Other, more common types of brain tumors, known as metastatic...
Leptin is a hormone belonging to the endocrine system. Hormones are compounds that regulate metabolic and other processes. Leptin recently has become recognized as the "anti-obesity" hormone due to its role in satiety, better known as a "feeling...
Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of motor function, leading to loss of control over muscle movement. It is caused by a reduction of dopamine, a chemical brain cells use to signal to each other, within the brain....
Green tea comes from the same plant as Oolong and black tea. The difference is that green tea is not fermented, meaning that it contains less caffeine and has more of a type of antioxidant called polyphenols than Oolong, which is partially...
