Parkinson\'s Disease the Human Central Nervous System

Parkinson's Disease

The human central nervous system is a miraculously designed functional piece of our bodies that helps us conduct the most essential tasks to help in our survival. It is therefore very important to investigate and understand how this system functions and operates. In this investigation it is also useful to understand how disease and malfunction of this system are affected. The purpose of this essay is to describe the normal and functional anatomical qualities of the human nervous system. To do this, the effects of Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the nervous system, will be analyzed to help contextualize the health of a well regulated nervous system against one that is not working properly.

Components of a Healthy Nervous System

The central nervous system is the command and control center for the nervous system. This physiological component receives information from and sends information to the peripheral nervous system. The two main organs of the central nervous system that do this controlling are the brain and spinal cord. The brain processes and interprets sensory information sent from the spinal cord much like the processors in computers The brain and spinal cord are protected by three layers of connective tissue called the meninges.

Within the central nervous system is an organization of hollow cavities called ventricles. The association of linked cavities in the brain is uninterrupted with the central canal of the spinal cord. The ventricles are filled with special and unique spinal fluid which is produced by specialized epithelium located within the ventricles called the choroid plexus. These fluids protect the brain and spinal cord from damage while also assisting in the circulation of nutrients to the brain.

The brain and all the chemical and physical reactions that occur in this part of the human body plays a very large and important role in maintaining the health of the individual. Although this organ may be divided and analyzed in many different ways, the brain consists mainly of three parts: the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. The forebrain conducts much of the conscious thinking that occurs within the mind and produces language, thinking and motor function. The thalamus and hypothalamus are located in the forebrain and most of the information is processed in the cerberal cortex located in the forebrain. The midbrain acts as a bridge to the forebrain to the hindbrain, while the hindbrain helps the person use balance and perception.

The spinal cord is must also function as a part of a healthy central nervous center. The spinal cord is a bundling of nerves, much like computer cables, that run down through the middle of the spinal column. This nerves act as wires transmitting and receiving signals in the body using electric impulses defined as stimuli. Ascending nerves take information from the body to the center of the brain while descending nerves work in the opposite direction.

Neurons are the basic building block of the central nervous system and every organ within this system is made of these neurons. Healthy nervous systems would demonstrate that these neurons are able to transfer this electric energy to each location of the nerve endings that produce sensory stimuli to the human mind. Neurons are either considered motor neurons, sensory neurons or interneuron.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a significant ailment within today's society. In the United States, 50,000-60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed each year, adding to the one million people who currently have this illness. The Center for Disease Control suggested that complications from Parkinson's disease is 14th leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, it is estimated that four to six million people suffer from the condition. There is hope, however, as scientists work towards a cure and make progress in identifying the best treatment options for patients.

Parkinson's disease most often develops after later in life after the age 50. It is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly. Parkinson's disease can but rarely is found younger adults and can affect both men and women. In the brain, nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help control muscle movement. Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without this chemical, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send or receive messages. This distortion will lead to the loss of muscle function. This condition may get worse as time progresses.