Running head: RESPONSES OF THE BRAIN 1

A Study on the Responses of the Brain

Dev R. Patel
Ocean Lakes High School

June 8, 2016

Introduction
Ever since I was able to understand the world through words, sounds, and sights, one

subject has fascinated me and eluded me more than any other: the brain. Comparing the average

life of those living today to those living 500 years ago shows the progress weve made. The

difference between having to traverse the sea for months and being able to fly the same length in

the span of a 24 hours shows the large improvements that have been made. The reason for all

this can stem from curiosity and innovation of man but ultimately is due to the complex

processes the human brain is able to handle. Being able to comprehend the reason why humanity

has advanced this far this quickly due to one organ is unfathomable to many and always will be.
Despite this shortcoming, continued research on the brain allows for better and more

effective solutions to common problems like disabilities that affect many. Diseases like

Alzheimers which can deteriorate memory and ADHD which can impair attention, hindering

learning, ail millions across the world. A richer understanding of the brain could also lead to
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improvement in several other areas in the medical field due to the integral part the nervous

system plays in the body.

What I Already Knew / What I Wanted to Know
Already having been interested in the brain as a research opportunity, my knowledge was

still rudimentary however. I knew that the brain was separated into four important parts or

lobes, but their separate functions were a mystery to me. Also like many others, I had a very

basic knowledge on the chemicals that were found in the brain like dopamine which I often

referred to as the happy chemical and melatonin which I had thought was very important.

When I established what my general question would be, I realized that I had to learn a lot more.
Before starting my research, I had to figure out what exactly I would research. I wanted

to know the specifics of the different regions of the brain and their functions. Not only was this

crucial, I also needed to know the various purposes of neurotransmitters that were found in the

brain. Having formed my sub-questions, I let my research guide what my research question

would be. After creating my first research question: What regions of the brain are affected

when doing simple tasks, I quickly realized that question was only part of what I was

researching. This lead to me forming my final research question: What are the brains

responses to common actions and ailments?

The Story of My Search
Having never been acquainted with making blogs and formal research, this research

endeavor was one of the most difficult for me. Using Weebly as the blog of choice, it proved

challenging to format as I liked. The sub questions that I had prepared, however, became the

guiding factor in this search as it allowed me to branch off ideas that I discovered in previous

posts. Searching for all my information was difficult, not because of the scarcity of it but due to

time being very hard to manage. Despite having nearly a month to search, many deadlines

coincided with due dates for other classes and I also had personal time-management issues. I

began my search with my first sub-question which primarily defined the parts of the brain and
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their roles. Before going directly at my research question, I knew I had to familiarize myself

with terms that would be frequently used throughout this entire experience like cerebrum or

occipital lobe. By using Mayfield Clinics website, I was able to easily understand the anatomy

of the brain and learn more about why specific lobes are active while doing a certain motor

function such as breathing. Their overview was easily understood and allowed me to create a

blog post that contained the majority of medical terms I would be seeing throughout the rest of

my research.
Mayfield Clinic also discussed neurotransmitters which served as inspiration for my other

sub-questions. Now that I had a better grasp on the parts, I began my official search by using

Google Scholar to find articles and papers about disabilities. I chose to learn more about

disabilities because now that I had familiarized myself with activity in the brain, I wanted to be

able to connect certain impaired regions with certain disabilities. Specifically, disabilities were

researched for their effects on the physical structure of the brain rather than the chemical effects.

By utilizing Google Scholar, I was able to find a multitude of sources for different disabilities

which included ADHD, Autism, and Alzheimers. A majority of the time, government articles

and published papers were used, the latter being accessible from NCBI, the National Center for

Biotechnology Information. Since the amount of research I had collected wasnt an issue, I was

able to use both government and university published works to cross-reference them with each

other to test for accuracy. This was also the case with my first sub-question as I used Serendip, a

college funded website, to verify the authenticity of Mayfield Clinic, an independent physician

group. Due to the breadth of research found on certain disabilities like Autism, many

independent websites were used such as AutismSpeaks and MayoClinic. Unlike the previous

sub-question where I guided myself, defining the words that I wanted to learn, learning about

disabilities brought up a topic that I hadnt bothered thinking was that important: the chemicals
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of the brain. Despite being mentioned quite frequently in the articles and papers I read, I

continued to ignore the word neurotransmitters as it showed up until my next sub-question.

Having vaguely constructed my research question till this point, I decided to learn about

the effects of common drugs on the brain like alcohol and nicotine. I specifically chose these

drugs because I wanted to know the consequences of these legal, but dangerous, chemicals that

could severely change the chemical composition of our brain. Starting my research using

Google Scholar, I came across a paper published by Dr. Valenzuela that thoroughly explained the

interactions between alcohol and our brains. Throughout this paper, I repeatedly saw words like

excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters and decided to change my fourth sub-question to

dedicate my time to learning more about neurotransmitters as a whole.

Reading about alcohols effect on the brain made me realize a severe problem that was

present in the way I conducted my researchmy ignorance on many topics. Despite having

already read about what I thought were the main ideas I needed to know for this paper, I was

constantly introduced to new words that I had to research independently from my sub-questions.

The more I researched, the more I felt I had so much more to learn. This was seen as both a

benefit and a problem as it allowed me to go beyond the sub-questions I had initially planned,

but it also left some loose-ends as much of the research diverged into areas that went past my

levels of expertise and knowledge. To learn more about nicotine, I used entries by the NIH

(National Institute on Drug Abuse) as I had used it for research in the past and it had proved

effective. Not only was I able to find information about how nicotine can affect the chemicals in

the brain, but I also used its descriptions to briefly summarize the neurotransmitters impacted by

alcohol and nicotine such as GABA and acetylcholine.

A big part of why I studied neurotransmitters as my fourth sub-question was partly due to

the importance they had in a majority of the research I had done. Other than this reason, I also

came to a roadblock when investigating my original question which was to study the intensity
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and amount of chemicals that would be present at regions of the brain when doing certain

activities. I felt as though this was too similar to my first research point as the defined terms also

discussed what activity the region was responsible for. What I had thought before was that the

chemicals were uniform, the same substance being used to indicate all activities with the only

difference being the area in which it was secreted. After researching, however, I learned that

there were different chemicals that had different purposes and lead to different reactions. Since I

had started my summary on neurotransmitters using NIH, I used it again but this time using the

National Institute on Mental Health. It provided me with easy to understand summaries on major

chemicals. When I found the information from NIHs articles insufficient, I used TheBrain, a

website funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to expand on what I knew about

neurotransmitters.
My last sub-question allowed me to learn more about neurons as a way to know how they

can interact with each other and specifically release chemicals. Using the key words

myelination and axons on Google Scholar, I found a paper that allowed me to learn more about

the transfer of signals from one neuron to the next. I also used an article on NCBI that confirmed

what I learned in the paper. Alongside my research question, I had planned to interview Dr.

Jaynes, a professor at West Virginia University that specialized in pediatric neurology and

neuromuscular disorders. With her expertise in the field, I had hoped to learn more about the

development cycle of the brain in infants and what needed to occur to reach full maturity, but I

never received a response.

With all of my research done, I had plenty of information for my final question to be

answered. Narrowing the areas I had researched to three, I planned to discuss the brains

responses to daily activities, common drugs, and disabilities.

The Search Results

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Broken down into multiple parts, the brain can often look like a jigsaw puzzle with parts

that seem to fit together rather awkwardly. Despite having this shape, this three-pound organ is

responsible for a majority of what were able to do. All the different parts seamlessly work

together to allow for us to breathe, walk, and sleep as well as other actions. Even though the

brain is, arguably, the most important organ in the body, how it worked was still a mystery to me

prior to this experience. With the research from the past month, however, I learned which parts

of the brain are active during specific tasks, how the structure is affected by disabilities, and what

chemical changes occur when common, and legal, drugs are used.
When talking about simple functions that the human body performs, breathing is one of

the fundamental processes our body does. Other processes that I, along with many others, take

for granted include regulating heart rates, body temperature, and blood pressure. All of these

automatic functions that take place without needing much thought occur because of the

brainstem which is responsible for less complex roles. These are generally the processes that

happen in the background without using too many resources. Tonya Hines (2016) discusses how

this part of the brain can be seen as a fundamental as research indicates that the brains of less

evolved animals can resemble a humans entire brainstem. Not only does this explain the

brainstems function but also the reason for animals to not be able to perform intricate actions

which is often the role of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.
Divided into four sections or lobes, the cerebrum provides insight on what portion of the

brain is associated with key aspects that operate together to allow for us to run, watch movies or

play videogames. Rather than have all activity be focused into one region, the entire brain

remains active to allow for seamless movements with multiple regions compensating for other

areas. According to Serendip (Brain Structures and their Functions, 2012), the frontal lobe is

accountable for logical thinking which can range from reasoning and judgement to problem
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solving. Due to the logic that the frontal lobe accounts for, activities like playing videogames or

chess would see the most activity in this area as it would require judgement and quick decision-

making than any other function. Running would not only demand the parietal lobe to be in use,

but also the cerebellum as both are needed for movement and orientation. Unlike the

cerebellum, however, the parietal lobe also aids in the recognition of stimuli which includes

taste, touch, and pressure (Hines, 2016). Often called the little brain (Knierim), the cerebellum

is associated with movement as well but also posture and balance. These three functions would

work simultaneously to give us the ability to run without falling over. In addition to the parietal

lobe being needed to run, the occipital and temporal lobe would also be necessary as the former

interprets vision including color, light, and motion (Hines, 2016). The temporal lobe would be

needed for auditory stimuli while running to be aware of ongoing traffic. It would also be active

during when watching movies because of it hosting the hippocampus, the specific area associated

mainly with long-term memory which could be active when recognizing familiar characters.
Many of these areas are the key targets for disabilities and its apparent why when their

symptoms are compared to the regions. A study done by Radboud University (Brain differences

in ADHD, 2017) with over 3,200 participants with ADHD showed that those with the disorder

have been shown with a smaller brain volume, specifically with a smaller amygdala and

hippocampus. It was also shown that those with ADHD have smaller caudate and putamen

regions which are located in the basal ganglia, the region that controls emotion and voluntary

movement. With a smaller basal ganglia, it can be seen why many with ADHD have frequent

mood swings and lack of restraint. Discussed earlier, the hippocampus is associated with

memory but more importantly the amygdala is part of the limbic system. According to

Dartmouth (Limbic System, 2006), the limbic system regulates emotional stimuli and the level

of arousal that a person feels. The connection between the smaller regions and ADHD can be
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seen due to symptoms of ADHD being mood swings, hyperactivity, and inattention (ADHD

Symptoms).
Since Alzheimers is the disease most affected by memory loss, it can be seen why the

hippocampus is affected the most. Not only are neurons in the hippocampus destroyed but these

dead cells build up into hard plaques over time which is why Alzheimers progressively worsens

over time unlike other brain disabilities (Alzheimers Basics).

Like ADHD, Autism also affects the hippocampus and amygdala as well as the

cerebellum and the mammillary bodies (Autism and Brain Systems). Due to the cerebellums

vital role in maintaining posture and balance, smaller cerebellums in those who suffer from

Autism can be linked to hyperactivity. More notably, differences in the mammillary bodies can

vary from being smaller or larger than normal. Since these are thought to form networks with

the hippocampus, allowing for transfer of signals, it can be understood why those with Autism

might have the chance to have a better memory. When I learned about this, I knew there had to

be a better connection between autism and a higher IQ. After researching it, I found that the

alleles for Autism and for high IQ overlap, explaining why it can lead to higher intelligence in

developing children (Crespi, 2016).

Unlike disabilities, what I researched next was something that naturally hindered the

brain but is practiced nonchalantlydrugs. The two main drugs I wanted to research were

alcohol and nicotine, both of which are legal but the causes of many deaths annually. Tobacco

which contains nicotine accounts for nearly 500,000 deaths per year in the United States alone

with alcohol being 88,000 deaths (Smoking & Tobacco Use, 2011; Alcohol Use and Your

Health, 2016). Nicotine primarily deals with acetylcholine, an excitatory neurotransmitter that

stimulates the brain and increases heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness, all effects of smoking.

When I was researching, I wanted to know more about why nicotine and smoking in general was

so addictive. Since acetylcholine is excitatory, it is a substance that stimulates the brain when
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released, but nicotine changes the amount released every time it is used. This is due to nicotine

molecules resembling acetylcholine molecules. Since this is the case, nicotine can bind to the

acetylcholine receptors. If I were to smoke, nicotine would bind to the receptors and act like

acetylcholine, giving me a feeling of stimulation for a brief period. This feeling, however, would

subside to the point where my brain would begin adjusting for the amount of acetylcholine

released due to the more-than-usual activity at the receptors because of being activated by two

substancesthe actual neurotransmitter itself and nicotine. Adjusting for less acetylcholine will

instinctively cause the brain to release less of it, making me need more nicotine to supply the

quota for the neurotransmitter to remain happy. It has also been found that having too little

acetylcholine can lead to Alzheimers disease (Neurotransmitters, 2002) and it has been

confirmed by a study done by Dr. Durazzo and Dr. Mattsson (2014).

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter

found in the brain, affecting motor control and anxiety (Valenzuela, 1997). These types of

neurotransmitters have the opposite effect as exhibitory neurotransmitters as they calm the body

instead. After researching alcohol, I learned why consuming it often leads to impaired control

over the body. Alcohol not only increases this chemical but prolonged consumption can often

lead to stimulation of inhibitory receptors. Prolonged consumption also leads to the memory loss

that follows binged drinking. In order for memories to form and last, a process called long-term

potentiation (LTP) has to take place which occurs when there is a sudden increase in the amount

of excitatory neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, the region that establishes long-term

memory. Alcohol, however, inhibits this process from occurring (Valenzuela, 1997). Like many

other processes, LTP requires activation to take place which it primarily gets from the inhibition

of GABA receptors. Due to prolonged consumption having the opposite effect, alcohol is linked
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with clouded memory as stimulated inhibitory receptors often include GABA receptors due to it

being so common.
Over the course of this research, many of my previous misconceptions were cleared up

by learning that different parts of the brain can sometimes overlap in their functions and roles.

Due to this, the entire brain has to work together to be able to perform optimally, releasing

neurotransmitters that allow for neurons to communicate with one another. These chemicals

work simultaneously as they send signals from one part of the brain to the next to allow for you

to respond to the ever-changing environment. Many of these changes can be something that is

present from birth in the form of disabilities or in the form of drugs. Despite having learned a lot

over this learning experience, my research is merely a small portion compared to the vast array

of information available. There is still much to be answered and acquired from doing additional

inquiry on the thorough subject of the brain, but this entire process was able to adequately

answer my original question: What are the brains responses to common actions and ailments?
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Works Cited
About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics. (2014, May 22). Retrieved June 05, 2017, from

https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/alzheimers-basics
Alcohol Use and Your Health. (2016, July 25). Retrieved June 09, 2017, from

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
Autism and Brain Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved June 05, 2017, from

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/~pgrobste/natureofdesire/P3.htm
Brain Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/educational-resources/brain-basics/brain-basics.shtml
Brain Structures and their Functions. (2012). Retrieved June 09, 2017, from

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/Structure1.html
Crespi, B. J. (2016). Autism As a Disorder of High Intelligence. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 10,

300. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00300
Durazzo, T. C., Mattsson, N., & Weiner, M. W. (2014). Smoking and increased Alzheimers

disease risk: A review of potential mechanisms. Alzheimers & Dementia: The Journal

of the Alzheimers Association, 10(3 0), S122S145.

http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.04.009
Knierim, J., Ph.D. (n.d.). Cerebellum. Retrieved June 05, 2017, from

http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s3/chapter05.html
Limbic System. (n.d.). Retrieved June 05, 2017, from

https://www.dartmouth.edu/~rswenson/NeuroSci/chapter_9.html
Neurotransmitters. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_01/i_01_m/i_01_m_ana/i_01_m_ana.html
O'Leary, N. (2013, November 02). ADHD Symptoms. Retrieved June 05, 2017, from

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/add-adhd/adhd-symptoms/
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. (2017, February 16). Brain differences in ADHD.

ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 4, 2017 from

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170216105919.htm
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Sherman, C. (2017, March 09). Impacts of Drugs on Neurotransmission. Retrieved June 04,

2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2017/03/impacts-drugs-

neurotransmission
Smoking & Tobacco Use. (2017, March 29). Retrieved June 08, 2017, from

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm
Valenzuela, F. (n.d.). Alcohol and Neurotransmitter Interactions. Retrieved June 4, 2017, from

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-2/144.pdf