Drugs and the Nervous System

• Drug – any substance, other than food that changes the structure or function of the body

• Legal• Illegal

Used to increase alertness, relieve fatigue

Used to relieve anxiety, irritability, tension

Used to relieve pain

Stimulants

Depressants

Opiates

Amphetamines

BarbituratesTranquilizers

MorphineCodeine

Increase heart and respiratory rates; elevate blood pressure; dilate pupils; decrease appetite

Slow down the actions of the central nervous system; small amounts cause calmness and relaxation; larger amounts cause slurred speech and impaired judgement

Act as a depressant; cause drowsiness, restlessness, nausea

Section 35-5

Commonly Abused Drugs

Drug Type Medical Use Examples Effects on the body

1. Stimulants• Increase

– Heart rate– Blood pressure– Breathing– Release of neurotransmitters at some synapses in the

brain • Deplete neurotransmitters and lead to:

– Fatigue – Circulatory problems– Hallucinations– Depression

2. Depressants• Decrease

– Heart rate– Breathing rate– Blood pressure– Relax muscles– Relieve tension

• Enhances release of neurotransmitters that prevent nerves cells from firing

• Alcohol with depressants can lead to death – depresses CNS to a point one stops breathing

3. Opiates• Mimics endorphins• Endorphin – natural chemical in brain that helps

overcome pain • When person stops taking

– Brain has adjusted to high levels of endorphins – Cannot produce enough natural endorphins– Suffer uncontrollable pain and sickness

4. Cocaine• Sudden release of Dopamine• Powerful Stimulant• Increases heart rate and blood pressure• First time users can have heart attack• Dopamine – neurotransmitter in brain that is

released to give feeling of pleasure and satisfaction

5. Marijuana• Active ingredient (THC) tetrahydrocannabinol• More destructive to lungs than cigarettes

– 5 marijuana cigs = 120 conventional cigs

• Results in:– Lower WBC count by 40% - susceptible to infections– Teens –

• inhibits maturity • Retards normal brain growth

– Memory loss– Inability to concentrate– Fall short on memory as well as math and verbal skills

– Males – reduced testosterone levels and increases estrogen levels– Females –

• disturbs menstrual cycle• DNA damage to eggs

More Effects (FYI)• Impaired perception • Loss of coordination • Increased risk of accidents • Impaired judgement • Loss of motivation • Diminished inhibitions • Increased heart rate • Anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia • Hallucinations • Damage to the respiratory, reproductive, and immune systems • Increased risk of CANCER• Psychological dependency

6. Alcohol• Depressant• Slows down CNS

– 40% of 50,000 highway deaths are caused by drinking and driving

– 1/3 of homocides attributed to effects of alcohol– $150 billion dollars of U.S. economy alcohol abuse

treatment• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

– Drinking while pregnant– Heart defects, malformed faces, delayed growth, poor

motor development

Alcohol and Disease

• Long-term alcohol use or bouts of excessive consumption– Destroys liver cells– Cirrhosis of liver – formation of scar tissue

that prevents blood flow through liver

Drug Abuse

• Intentional misuse of any drug for nonmedical purposes

• Addiction – uncontrollable dependence on a drug

Only Way to Prevent Addiction and Effects of Drugs

• NOT taking them to begin with

Famous People that have Died of Drug Overdoses• Michael Jackson Andy Gibb• Britany Murphy David Ruffin• Elvis Presley Heath Leger• Jim Morrison John Belushi• Janis Joplin River Phoenix • Chris Farley• Freddy Prinze• Judy Garland• Brad Renfro• Dana Plato• Kurt Cobain• Anna Nicole Smith• Ike Turner• Brandon and Bruce Lee

2003-2004

Diseases, Conditions, and Syndromes of the Nervous

System

Parkinson’s Disease

2003-2004

Interview with Michael J. Fox

2003-2004

2003-2004

Stroke

• Occurs when there is not enough oxygen going to the brain.

AutismOverviewAutism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.SymptomsMost parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is age 2. Children with autism typically have difficulties in:•Pretend play•Social interactions•Verbal and nonverbal communicationSome children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly "regress" and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.

People with autism may:•Be overly sensitive in sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste (for example, they may refuse to wear "itchy" clothes and become distressed if they are forced to wear the clothes)•Have unusual distress when routines are changed•Perform repeated body movements•Show unusual attachments to objects

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Rainman (Part 1)

2003-2004

Rainman (Part 2)

2003-2004

Kim Peek- the “Real Rainman” 1

2003-2004

Kim Peek- 2

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Kim Peek- 3

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Kim Peek- 4

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Polio• Viral disease of the central nervous

system that can cause paralysis.

2003-2004

Teacher- Collins Syndrome

Juliana Whitmore

2003-2004

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Meningitis• Is an inflammation of

the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

• Disease is caused by bacteria, or a virus.

• Symptoms – Very bad headache

Tourettes Syndrome

2003-2004

2003-2004

Cerebral Palsy

• Congenital disease

• (born with)• Disturbance of

motor functions

2003-2004

Herniated Disk• Disk in vertebra

moves up against the spinal nerves. Very painful

2003-2004

Animals rely on two systems for regulation:

Nervous System is a system of nerve cells called neurons. It consists of a central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nerves. Typical responses are fast and short lasting.

Endocrine System is a system of ductless glands that secrete hormone into the blood. Hormones travel to target tissues.Typical responses are slow and long lasting.

Progesterone Estradiol