A Journey into the Depths of the Brain
The nervous system is the primary system that connects the brain to the body, responsible for movement, sensation, memory, and control of involuntary functions.
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The nervous system is the system that connects the brain to the rest of the body. It includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The brain is the main unit for processing information, while the spinal cord transmits this information to the limbs and muscles to carry out commands.
Motor functions, such as hand or foot movement, start in the brain and travel through the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves that move the muscles. In the case of sensation, such as touching a hot object, we feel the heat shortly afterward. But before the signal reaches the brain, some reflexes immediately avoid harm. The nerves cause us to move the hand away from the hot object before we feel the heat.
A famous example of quick reflexes is hitting the brakes while driving before we fully realize the danger ahead. These rapid responses are coordinated in the spinal cord, where commands are sent directly to the muscles without the signal having to pass through the brain.
Brain functions:
The brain not only controls motor functions and sensation, but also plays a major role in controlling emotions and behaviors. Another important function of the brain is controlling the autonomic nervous system, which includes the heart, breathing, and digestion, to maintain the body's stability.
How does the brain store information?
Memory is one of the brain's most important functions, responsible for receiving, storing, and retrieving information when needed. The memory process begins with the five senses, which record everything that happens around us. This information is then encoded and stored in the brain.
Short-term memory stores information for a short period of time. Long-term memory retains information for longer periods, possibly extending a lifetime. Sensory memory stores sights, smells, and sounds for a very short period of time.
What distinguishes humans from other creatures is their ability to store and retrieve past experiences to make future decisions. This explains how humans learn from their experiences, and their memory also stores many events that contribute to shaping their personality. For example, if you touched a hot surface in the past, your memory will automatically cause your hand to withdraw from any other hot surface.
There are major scientific questions surrounding memory, such as the possibility of transferring memory from one person to another or even from one person to an electronic device. Despite significant advances in neuroscience, we have not achieved the ability to physically transfer memory from one brain to another or store it on an external device.
Neuroplasticity:
One of the amazing features of the human brain is its ability to regenerate and adapt. This phenomenon is called "neuroplasticity," and it helps the brain adapt to changes and new conditions. For example, if part of the brain is damaged as a result of injury or disease, the brain may be able to find alternative neural pathways to regain lost functions, aiding recovery.
Brain and nerve disorders:
When a person suffers from brain and nerve disorders, such as dystonia or Parkinson's disease, he may lose many of these vital functions. Therefore, it is important to consult Dr. Zeiad Yossry, Professor of Neurosurgery and Parkinson's Disease, for his exceptional expertise in selecting and applying the latest global treatment methods and techniques for such conditions, including deep brain stimulation, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Patient Guide
Dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary contractions that affect movement. Deep brain stimulation can be used to control movement coordination.
Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder that affects movement due to a lack of dopamine in the brain, causing tremors, stiffness, and slowed motion, and requires deep brain stimulation.
Functional neurosurgery has witnessed tremendous progress, revolutionizing the treatment of chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease to offer patients a better quality of life.