Dopamine, Vicodin, Aspirin, Bell’s Palsy, Enkephalins

By Anik Patel, David Martin, AK Charka, & Kevin S.

Dopamine

Naturally produced neurotransmitter in the brain.

As a medication, it acts on the central nervous system which increases heart Rate, blood pressure. Does not directly affect the CNS because of the blood Brain barrier.

Dopamine(continued)

Functions in the role of movement. Crucial part in basal ganglia motor loop.

Controls flow of information from other parts of the brain to the frontal lobe

If concentration of dopamine is decreased, decline in attention and memory.

Patients with Parkinson’s Disease are given dopamine to enhance motor ability.

•Vicodin also known as Hydrocodone is an opiod derived from either of the naturally occurring opiates codeine or thebaine. •Hydrocodone is commonly available in tablet, capsule and syrup form.•Hydrocodone is included in the narcotic analgesics class of drugs. It is used to relieve pain.•Some overdose symptoms include: slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, sweating.• Hydrocodone relives pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

Vicodin

Aspirin

Used as analgesic, anti-fever, and anti-inflammatory medication

Has blood thinning properties Irreversibly inhibits some chemicals in blood platelet

formation Suppresses production of prostaglandins &

thromboxanes/– Prostaglandins are hormones involved in transmission of

pain information to brain.

Bell’s Palsy

“Peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve of unknown cause but frequently related to exposure to cold and viral infection; may be bilateral - Any peripheral facial paralysis due to a lesion of the facial nerve or its nucleus”

Cause: Comes on suddenly with no obvious cause - Frequently related to exposure to cold or viral infections (such as herpes, rubella, etc.)

Symptoms: Numbness of the face, difficulty speaking, ear pain, dry mouth, sagging of one side of the face, difficulty closing the affected eye

Bell’s Palsy (continued)

Treatment: Condition usually resolves itself within 3 weeks, though steroids or Acyclovir (an anti-viral medication) may be prescribed

For the long term, “facial retraining” or surgical techniques may be used to lessen the drooping

Enkephalins

Naturally occurring molecules in the brain - attach to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord to stop pain messages

Enkephalins promote a general sense of well-being and internal calm

A lack in enkephalins results in feelings of inferiority, inadequacy and unsecure feeling

Enkephalins (continued)

Related to morphine in structure Enkephalins may reduce pain by preventing

the release of ACh When an enkephalin molecule binds to a

nerve, it changes the shape of the nerve so that ACh cannot be released, blocking the transmission of “pain”

Alzheimer's

Classified as neurodegenerative disease Loss of movement, cognitive ability, and aphasia Caused by atrophy of neural cells, particularly in

frontal lobe. Deposits of amyloid plaques (protein masses) and

neurofibrillary tangles in neural bundles. Genetic factors play important role in transmission of

disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease.

Affects the brain and impairs certain functions.

Most common in the elderly.

How it’s Transmitted

Genetic inheritance is the only real form of transmission, and accounts for a very small number of cases.

Most cases of AD are sporadic, meaning there is no history of AD in the patients family.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:– Aphasia: impairment of ability to produce/

comprehend language.– Disorientation: in time, place, and person.– Disinhibition: uncontrolled/ abnormal behavior.– Memory loss: at first simple forgetfulness, then

more complete loss of recent memories as well as familiar skills, objects, and persons.

How it Affects the Body

A deficiency in the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine decreases the brains ability to send, receive, and process information.

Plaques and tangles also form in and around neurons.

These are both considered symptoms, the true cause of the disease is still unknown.

Treatment

Treatments thus far only treat symptoms and do not cure or halt the disease. Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors help slow neurotransmitter degradation and can moderately alleviate symptoms.

Bibliography

Solomon et al, Human Anatomy & Physiology. 1990. Saunders College publishing.

Cemer Multam, Vicodin, www.drugs.com/vicodin.html, 7/9/03

Wikipedia, Hydrocodone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicodin, 14 March 2006

BUPA Health Information Team. “Bell’s palsy.” <http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/bells_palsy.html> June 2003Ophardt, Charles E. “Narcotic Analgesic Drugs.” <http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/674narcotic.html> 2003Cedar Canyon Marketing Group. “Enkephalins.” <http://nutritionalaminoacids.com/enkephalins.shtml> 2006The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. “Mayo Clinic Glossary.” <http://www.painconnection.org/mytreatment/mayoclinic_glossary.asp> 2006

Bibliography (continued)

Areosa et al. Alzheimer's disease http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer%27s. 3/14/06

Litovitz, TL. annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin. 3/13/06