...Funnel cakes, fried cheesecake, fried cookie dough; with all of the sweet options available at the state fair, it might be necessary to try a little bit of each! Although it may seem like a lot of food, it actually might not be too difficult of a task to accomplish. Sugar is an addictive compound, and many researchers have actually gone so far as to compare its addictive qualities to those of drugs. When sugar is consumed, a chemical in the brain called dopamine, known as a “happiness booster”, is released. Dopamine is the center of pleasure, and the consumption of sugar is one of the ways that it is released into the human body. Humans crave the feeling that is received upon consuming sugar; thus, they consume more. Dopamine fuels that craving,...
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...Basal Ganglia Pathology in Schizophrenia: Dopamine Connections and Anomalies WORD COUNT: 1100 As unique and complex organisms, we encounter challenges which may have a profound impact on our cells and essentially the quality of life. Schizophrenia affects 1.1% of the world population and has a detrimental impact on society, a mental disease where a cure and predisposition is yet to be established. Primary and secondary literature are distinct informative sources which enable us to better understand scientific concerns in the world and provide effectual reasoning. The review article identifies pathways or systems involving dopamine within the basal ganglia and how fluctuations or absence of this neurotransmitter can cause implications in brain functioning- evident in schizophrenic patients. The Journal of Neurochemistry comprises of peer-reviewed articles that can appeal to a spectrum of individuals, ranging from emerging scientific researchers and health professionals to the general society. The extensive citation and depth may indicate the credibility of the journal and numerous publications demonstrate the success in communicating the nature and extent of current issues in the field of neuroscience. The review article investigates the relation between dopamine levels in regions of the brain and how abnormalities contribute to poor cognitive behavior which can be seen in schizophrenic patients. The most relevant discipline to complement the article would therefore be...
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...Lindsey Daugherty BEH.350.B December 3, 2015 Term Paper Mental illness has been acknowledged for thousands of years. Those who were different, or acted different from what main stream society felt was the norm; those who committed adultery, those pregnant out of wedlock, or even those who were mentally different, were all singled out, treated the same, and considered abnormal. Abnormal behavior cannot simply be defined into a single definition, with no definite line that can be crossed which separates whether someone on one side of the line has abnormal tendencies, with someone on the other side which is considered normal behavior. This paper focuses on Schizophrenia, a major mental illness, and will discuss and evaluate the symptoms, causes, and treatments which are currently being used. The human mind can be fragile, and there are many diseases and disorders that can affect it. Some may be serious while others are minor and barely recognizable. Schizophrenia is just one of those diseases which can encompass being both minor and serious. The definition for a mental illness is an illness that affects a person's mind, thoughts, emotions, personality, or behavior. Just like a physical illness, mental illness also shows symptoms that make it possible for the mental disorder or illness to be identified. Some of the recognizable symptoms can be extreme moods, sadness, anxiety, and inability to think clearly, or remember well. It does not mean, that just because a person may...
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...Motivation and the Brain Paper Due: April 29, 2013 Psy/355 Motivation and the Brain Paper Certain nutrients have been found in scientific literature to support the structural and functional health of the brain, and the nessessary componets in protecting against brain related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (Hall, 2011). Several parts of the brain initiates, and maintains motivation that engages in healthy eating. Some researchers say that evolutionary factors come into play. Factors like reinforcements of endorphins and serotonin activity producing the fullness and well-being feelings after eating (Stone, 2011). If one tries denying these reinforcing experiences, this causes difficulty maintaining a stablized diet. According to Psychological musings, factors such as biological, and enviornmental influences help in the implecation of new, and specific behavior like maintaining a healthy diet (Stone, 2011). To maintain continual motivation in healthy eating there are many brain structures that do contribute. Brain structures that maintain the motivation for healthy eating are the limbic system, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and the amygdala. These structures together form new memories, regulate emotions that maintain positive attitudes about considered diet changes (Stone, 2011). The limbic system is linked with reward, and motivation. This system has a very important role in healthy eating. This allows the...
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...Diseases are sometimes extremely devastating and cruel. Some diseases move very rapidly while others are slow and painful. Treatments are sometimes useful yet other times nothing can stop the silent beasts that lurk in the body. Parkinson’s disease is a slow moving disease that slowly corrupts the brain. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic motor disorder that causes tremors, rigidity, slowed body movements, unstable posture and abnormal gait. This happens when neurons, nerve cells, in a part or the brain called the substantial nigra gradually die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps relay messages between areas of the brain that control body movement. The death of the cells leads to abnormal low levels of dopamine, and causes difficulty in controlling muscle tension and muscle movement both at rest and during periods of activity. PD as of now affects about 500,000 Americans, with about 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It is generally a disease that affects people of late or middle age at about age 60 however about 5 percent of patients have early-onset PD and are younger than 40 years old when symptoms begin. PD is slightly more common in men then women. So far scientists have not determined the reason why some people develop PD and others do not. Some experts blame a process called oxidation. During oxidation unstable molecules that areproduced in the brain as a result of its normal chemical reactions which ultimately damage the brain. Another...
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...With the ever-growing dissatisfaction and preoccupation with one’s weight, why is it that only certain individuals develop an eating disorder? Socio-cultural influences have traditionally been thought of as the leading cause of disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. However, this explanation alone doesn’t seem sufficient. We are all exposed to the same “thin is in” messaging and to live in a westernized society more or less means residing in a virtually inescapable landscape that pushes thinness as a valuable possession. Yet, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa affect only an estimated 0.3 to 0.7 percent, and 1.7 to 2.5 percent, respectively, of females in the general population (Berrettini, 2004). Through my research, which...
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...Mental illness has been acknowledged for thousands of years. Those who were different, or acted different from what main stream society felt was the norm; those who committed adultery, those pregnant out of wedlock, or even those who were mentally different, were all singled out, treated the same, and considered abnormal. Abnormal behavior cannot simply be defined into a single definition, with no definite line that can be crossed which separates whether someone on one side of the line has abnormal tendencies, with someone on the other side which is considered normal behavior. This paper focuses on Schizophrenia, a major mental illness, and will discuss and evaluate the symptoms, causes, and treatments which are currently being used. The human mind can be fragile, and there are many diseases and disorders that can affect it. Some may be serious while others are minor and barely recognizable. Schizophrenia is just one of those diseases which can encompass being both minor and serious. The definition for a mental illness is an illness that affects a person's mind, thoughts, emotions, personality, or behavior. Just like a physical illness, mental illness also shows symptoms that make it possible for the mental disorder or illness to be identified. Some of the recognizable symptoms can be extreme moods, sadness, anxiety, and inability to think clearly, or remember well. It does not mean, that just because a person may experience some of these symptoms, that she or he is suffering...
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...and Schizophrenia Joyce Dalton PSY350: Physiological Psychology Instructor: Brandy Goldston February 5, 2012 Mental Illness and Schizophrenia Mental illness has been acknowledged for thousands of years. Those who were different, or acted different from what main stream society felt was the norm; those who committed adultery, those pregnant out of wedlock, or even those who were mentally different, were all singled out, treated the same, and considered abnormal. Abnormal behavior cannot simply be defined into a single definition, with no definite line that can be crossed which separates whether someone on one side of the line has abnormal tendencies, with someone on the other side which is considered normal behavior. This paper focuses on Schizophrenia, a major mental illness, and will discuss and evaluate the symptoms, causes, and treatments which are currently being used. The human mind can be fragile, and there are many diseases and disorders that can affect it. Some may be serious while others are minor and barely recognizable. Schizophrenia is just one of those diseases which can encompass being both minor and serious. The definition for a mental illness is an illness that affects a person's mind, thoughts, emotions, personality, or behavior. Just like a physical illness, mental illness also shows symptoms that make it possible for the mental disorder or illness to be identified. Some of the recognizable symptoms can be extreme moods, sadness, anxiety, and...
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...SCHIZOPHRENIA: NATURE OR NURTURE? 1 Schizophrenia: Nature or Nurture? Francia Pulido Miami Dade College SCHIZOPHRENIA: NATURE OR NURTURE? 2 Abstract Schizophrenia continues to create new challenges today and continues to be a complicated mental illness. There had been a misconception that Schizophrenia is a rare condition. But it is actually not rare; in fact each person has a risk of developing it within their lifetime. It is most common to psychoses, and half of the inpatients in mental hospitals are Schizophrenics. It is a brain disorder that can happen to anyone occurring in any culture, affecting men and women equally and all areas of functioning, including thought, emotion, perception and behavior. So to prove that Schizophrenia is a major mental health problem that can affect from all walks of life. The cause of Schizophrenia is not fully known. However, it shows that Schizophrenia may caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Biological interpretations have dominated in past studies. But twin and adoption studies suggest that environmental factors help in triggering Schizophrenia. Nonetheless, neither the biological not the environmental categories is completely determinant, and there is no assurance that one will ensure if he will or will not develop Schizophrenia. Keywords: Schizophrenia; developing, cause, genetic, environmental, biological SCHIZOPHRENIA:...
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...NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET Learner: Teka L. Williams Academic Integrity: All work submitted in each course must be the Learner’s own. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by the faculty mentor. The known submission of another person’s work represented as that of the Learner’s without properly citing the source of the work will be considered plagiarism and will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course, and may result in academic dismissal. Psych 6302-8 Dr. Nickerson Impact of Psychological Illness on Nutrition Assignment # 6 <Add Learner comments here> ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Faculty Use Only ------------------------------------------------- <Faculty comments here> Impact of Psychological Illness on Nutrition Healthy nutrition is often a reflection of healthy living in general. Psychosocial behaviors, psychological illness, cognitive deficiencies, and body image are among the many behavioral and psychosocial factors that can have an impact on nutrition. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is amongst the most common neurobehavioral disorders in children, with a prevalence...
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...Commons, Philosophy Commons, and the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Chapman, Heather M., "Love: A Biological, Psychological and Philosophical Study" (2011). Senior Honors Projects. Paper 254. http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/srhonorsprog/254 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at the University of Rhode Island at DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Honors Projects by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@etal.uri.edu. 1 Running head: LOVE Love: A biological, psychological and philosophical study. Heather Chapman University of Rhode Island 2 LOVE Dedication This paper is dedicated to the love of my life Jason Matthew Nye October 4,1973 - January 26, 2011 3 LOVE Abstract The concept of love has been an eternally elusive subject. It is a definition and meaning that philosophers, psychologists, and biologists have been seeking since the beginning of time. Wars have been waged and fought over it, while friendships have been initiated and have ended because of this idea. But what exactly is love, and why is it important to define this enigma? In order to help define this idea of love, several books and numerous research articles were consulted, and interviews were conducted with faculty of The University of Rhode Island. Dr. Nasser Zawia was interviewed, in order to help understand the role of neurobiology...
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...For my paper, I will be doing research on various facets of Schizophrenia, including the development, onset, neural mechanisms and cognitive effects and consequences. I will be looking into the pathophysiology of this disorder in addition to the abnormalities and disturbances in brain connectivity, its background with psychosis (disconnection from reality), how it affects daily life in those diagnosed with the disorder, and the most effective treatments to date. I will also be looking into the diagnosis and measurements of schizophrenia, including neuroimaging techniques and assessment tools. Schizophrenia is a neurological disease characterized by hallucinations and delusions, including false perceptions, sounds, voices, sights, and can be severe enough to be disabling. It is also known to cause abnormal and dysfunctional behavior and thoughts, and has a high suicide rate on those afflicted....
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...PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, DISEASES, AND DRUGS Assignment: Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Mental illness has a detrimental effect on psychosocial functioning of individuals, but Schizophrenia is among the worst. There are many other forms of psychiatric disorders these include, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, and Tourette syndrome. Psychiatrists or clinical psychologists typically treat such disorders (Pinel, 2007, p. 481). Each disorder is unique, and symptoms vary from one individual to the next. In fact, as psychiatrists and psychologists continue to discover new facts about these disorders as they encounter different cases. This paper will discuss the serious mental illness of Schizophrenia; the symptoms, treatment, and medications. The symptoms of Schizophrenia are bizarre and frightening. Persons who suffer from Schizophrenia face a loss of reality, strange behavior, social withdrawal, hallucinations and delusions (Pinel, 2007, p. 482). MSN Encarta (2009) points out that, "A person with Schizophrenia may have difficulty telling the difference between real and unreal experiences, logical and illogical thoughts, or appropriate and inappropriate behavior." These symptoms are sometimes genetically based, which will leave the person with a possible ten per cent chance of developing the disorder is a close relative was afflicted with schizophrenia. Additionally, jumbled thinking is another symptom of Schizophrenia. The person is described as speaking in...
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...Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Janelle Gunnels Psy/340 April 25, 2013 Ioannis Papazafiropoulos Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior Presentation Team B presented a presentation explaining the genetics, brain structure, and behavior of individuals suffering Bipolar illness. This paper will evaluate their presentation and explain bipolar illness, explain the neurological damage or changes to the brain as a result of the illness, and also an explanation of the behavioral or functional changes that can occur as a result of the illness. I will touch bases on the following: • A description of the suspected or known causes of the illness • A discussion of current treatments or therapies and future research for the prevention or cure of the illness • The role of genetics on the onset of the illness • The visual appeal of the presentation • The overall organization of the information presented What is Bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness which is also commonly known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder which causes abnormal changes in mood, energy and activity. This disorder interferes with one’s ability to handle everyday task. The symptoms and effects are extreme as this is considered a long term illness. Bipolar Disorder normally appears in an individual...
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...Drug Information Paper: Levodopa/Carbidopa: Sinemet Kristin Curcione Daemen College This drug information report will explore in detail the medication Levodopa. Levodopa is the most effective drug for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa works when it is absorbed in the blood from the small intestine and travels through blood to the brain where it is converted to dopamine (Parkkinen, O'Sullivan, Kuoppamäki, et al., 2011). It is intended for the purpose of treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases. It is primarily used in neurology practice for patients who are experiencing idiopathic Lewy body degenerative disease of the central nervous system. This paper will also discuss use of Carbidopa as it is used...
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