Download Nervous System This week, you will examine the major structures in

Nervous System
This week, you will examine the major structures in the central and peripheral nervous systems,
as well as the location and function of these structures. Search the Ashford University Online
Library and locate a peer-reviewed research study that was published within the last five years,
which examines the role of one of the structures reviewed in Chapter 4 of your course text. The
research study you identify should evaluate the function of this structure in either normal or
abnormal behavior. Your response must clearly identify the role of the structure in the identified
behavior as well as your level of agreement with the results of the study and your rationale. Your
initial post should be a minimum of 250 words and utilize at least one peer-reviewed research
study that was published within the last five years.
The Hindbrain
The brain in all vertebrates consists of three parts: the forebrain, the midbrain,
and the hindbrain. The main target of this discussion will be the “hindbrain” and its three
structures focusing on the functions of the cerebellum. The medulla is located directly
above the spinal cord and all the information coming from and going to the spinal cord
must pass through it. Located directly above the medulla is the pons which is a bridgelike structure that conveys information between the higher brain regions, the medulla
and the spinal cord. The information that leaves your forebrain travels down tracts
through your midbrain to your hindbrain, spinal cord, passing through the pons. The
cerebellum is divided into a right and a left hemisphere of which each contain a
cerebellar cortex (grey matter) and an underlying white matter. The neurons in the
cerebellum are responsible for coordinating the muscular activities involved in rapid and
repetitive movements. Alcohol is known to impair the functions of the cerebellum
causing a loss of muscle coordination (Wilson, 2012).
Alcohol acts on the central nervous system at organizational and molecular
levels. The cerebellum is essential for skilled movement, the control of posture and gait,
and the regulation of muscle tone. Alcohol is toxic for Purkinje cells that are the main
cells of the cerebellar cortex. Motor coordination is altered in both limbs and in body
axis, whether the pathways in the cerebellar loop are disrupted by disease or
intoxication. Not only does alcohol consumption produce a deleterious effect on motor
skills, it also has a negative consequence on the muscular metabolism. It will not
improve and may decrease strength, power, local muscular endurance, velocity, and
cardiovascular endurance. Along with generalized cerebral atrophy, specific cerebellar
degeneration occurs in a significant proportion of uncomplicated alcoholics (Houa,
Tomberg, & Noel, 2010).
Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies
revealed reductions in brain volume in chronic alcoholism: reduced gray and white
matter volumes, losses in the frontal lobes as well as
in medial temporal and parietal cortices, in subcortical structures (thalamus,
caudate nucleus), thinning of the corpus callosum, reduced volume in the pons, and
reduction in hippocampal volume. The age at first
drinking was found to be significantly correlated with the decrease in gray matter
volume in the middle frontal cortex, the cerebellum, and the brainstem (Tomberg, 2010).
I chose the cerebellum and the effects that alcohol has on it because having
alcohol in my life has brought me to where I am today. It has been a major factor in
every aspect of my life from the age of 13 up until 7 years ago at the age of 51. It is still
a major focus today but only with a different point of view. Without all that I have
experienced, the ups and the downs, I seriously doubt that I would be studying in hopes
of preventing, at least educating someone like me or not, from struggling through the
devastating effects of the disease of alcoholism. (I am one of the fortunate ones.) Many
studies have been conducted on alcohol and its damaging effect on the brain and the
human body. Not only can it damage our peripheral and central nervous systems, it can
deteriorate an individual’s emotional and spiritual well being. Alcohol destroys lives!
References:
Houa, M., Tomberg, C., & Noel, X. (2010). Alcohol and its impact on motor control.
Journal Of Psychophysiology, 24(4), 259-263. doi: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000040.
Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxylibrary.ashford.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=e1de6208-70a0-4c69-a0f7163554382b4f%40sessionmgr114&vid=24&hid=113
Tomberg, C. (2010). Alcohol pathophysiology: Circuits and molecular mechanisms.
Journal Of Psychophysiology, 24(4), 215-230. doi: 10.1027/0269-8803a000035.
Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxylibrary.ashford.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=e1de6208-70a0-4c69-a0f7163554382b4f%sessionmgr.114&vid=26&hid=113
Wilson, J. F. (2012). The Organization of the Nervous System. In Introduction to
Biological Psychology (Chpt. 4., Sect. 4.2, pp. 100-103). Ed., Erik Evans. Bridgepoint
Education, Inc., San Diego, CA. ISBN-10: 935966-58-8. Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPSY350/sections/