The Human Brain 101The Human Brain 101

Kristi Miller, M.S., L.P.T.Kristi Miller, M.S., L.P.T.

A.K.A. “Gabriel’s Mom”A.K.A. “Gabriel’s Mom”

Fun Brain FactsFun Brain Facts

The average size of the adult brain is The average size of the adult brain is about 5.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches long, about 5.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches long, and 3.6 inches in heightand 3.6 inches in height

At birth, the brain weighs about 4/5 of a At birth, the brain weighs about 4/5 of a pound. The adult brain weighs about 3 lbs.pound. The adult brain weighs about 3 lbs.

The brain is 78% waterThe brain is 78% waterThere are 100 billion neurons in the There are 100 billion neurons in the

human brain, the same number of stars in human brain, the same number of stars in our galaxyour galaxy

More Fun Brain FactsMore Fun Brain Facts

The left hemisphere has 186 million more The left hemisphere has 186 million more neurons than the right hemisphereneurons than the right hemisphere

The slowest speed at which information The slowest speed at which information travels between neurons is 260 mph, as travels between neurons is 260 mph, as “slow” as Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron which “slow” as Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron which clocked at 253 mphclocked at 253 mph

More electrical impulses are generated in More electrical impulses are generated in one day by the brain than by all the one day by the brain than by all the telephones in the worldtelephones in the world

Even MORE Fun Brain FactsEven MORE Fun Brain Facts

Albert Einstein’s brain weighed 1,230 Albert Einstein’s brain weighed 1,230 grams (2.71 lbs), significantly less than the grams (2.71 lbs), significantly less than the human average of 3 lbshuman average of 3 lbs

The brain can stay alive for 4-6 minutes The brain can stay alive for 4-6 minutes without oxygen. After that cells begin to without oxygen. After that cells begin to die.die.

After age 30, the brain shrinks a quarter of After age 30, the brain shrinks a quarter of a percent (0.25%) in mass each year.a percent (0.25%) in mass each year.

History of NeuroanatomyHistory of Neuroanatomy

Ancient references by Ancient references by Egyptians and GreeksEgyptians and Greeks

Body mapping by Body mapping by ChineseChinese

Galen (129-201AD) Galen (129-201AD) named brain as seat named brain as seat of human spiritof human spirit

Renaissance Renaissance dissection and dissection and illustrationsillustrations

1717thth-19-19thth century century naming of brain naming of brain anatomyanatomy

Joseph Gall’s Joseph Gall’s Phrenology spurs Phrenology spurs researchresearch

2020thth century century developments (MRI, developments (MRI, PET, SPECT)PET, SPECT)

Methods of StudyMethods of Study

Selective surgical ablation or removal of brain Selective surgical ablation or removal of brain tissuetissue

Faradic or galvanic (i.e. steady or pulsed) Faradic or galvanic (i.e. steady or pulsed) electrical stimulation of the brainelectrical stimulation of the brain

Clinical studies of patients with disorders Clinical studies of patients with disorders compared to evaluation of the brain after deathcompared to evaluation of the brain after death

EEG, CT, MRI, PET, SPECT and other EEG, CT, MRI, PET, SPECT and other computerized mapping of brain anatomy and computerized mapping of brain anatomy and activityactivity

Basic Brain AnatomyBasic Brain Anatomy

Brain StemBrain Stem The brain stem is the part The brain stem is the part

of the brain that connects of the brain that connects to the spinal cord. It is to the spinal cord. It is responsible for basic responsible for basic survival functions that are survival functions that are involuntary.involuntary.

Functions of the brain Functions of the brain stem include regulating stem include regulating respiration, digestion, respiration, digestion, blood pressure, heart blood pressure, heart beat, swallowing and beat, swallowing and alertness.alertness.

CerebellumCerebellum

Cerebellum means Cerebellum means “little brain”“little brain”

Located at the back of Located at the back of the brain, the the brain, the cerebellum is cerebellum is responsible for responsible for balance and the balance and the coordination of coordination of movementsmovements

The LobesThe Lobes

Occipital LobeOccipital Lobe

The occipital lobe is located at the back of The occipital lobe is located at the back of the brainthe brain

The occipital lobe is responsible for The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual reception as well as processing visual reception as well as recognition of shapes and colorsrecognition of shapes and colors

Parietal LobesParietal Lobes

The parietal lobes contain the primary The parietal lobes contain the primary sensory cortex which controls sensation sensory cortex which controls sensation (touch and pressure) and the secondary (touch and pressure) and the secondary sensory cortex which interprets size, sensory cortex which interprets size, weight, shape and texture.weight, shape and texture.

The parietal lobes also contain the motor The parietal lobes also contain the motor cortex which controls movement of the cortex which controls movement of the limbs.limbs.

Temporal LobesTemporal Lobes

The temporal lobes are located on the The temporal lobes are located on the sides of the head just above the ears.sides of the head just above the ears.

The temporal lobes are responsible for The temporal lobes are responsible for organizing stimuli and forming memory.organizing stimuli and forming memory.

The left temporal lobe is responsible for a The left temporal lobe is responsible for a person’s ability to use languageperson’s ability to use language

The right temporal lobe is responsible for a The right temporal lobe is responsible for a person’s ability to form and interpret visual person’s ability to form and interpret visual memorymemory

Frontal LobeFrontal Lobe

The frontal lobe is located where?The frontal lobe is located where?The frontal lobe function develops or The frontal lobe function develops or

“matures” last.“matures” last.The frontal lobe is responsible for The frontal lobe is responsible for

“executive function”. This includes “executive function”. This includes organization, planning, problem solving, organization, planning, problem solving, selective attention, impulse control and selective attention, impulse control and personality.personality.

Localization MapLocalization Map

Got Brain Damage?Got Brain Damage?

What Protects The Brain?What Protects The Brain?

Dura Mater- hard Dura Mater- hard mothermother

Arachnoid LayerArachnoid Layer Pia Mater- tender Pia Mater- tender

mothermother Cerebrospinal fluidCerebrospinal fluid SkullSkull

What causes damage to the brain?What causes damage to the brain?

TBITBI

TumorsTumors

StrokesStrokes

Drug UseDrug Use

Metabolic imbalanceMetabolic imbalance

AnoxiaAnoxia

Environmental toxinsEnvironmental toxins

InfectionInfection

Electric shockElectric shock

HemorrhageHemorrhage

HydrocephalusHydrocephalus

TumorTumor

Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s

Chronic Marijuana UseChronic Marijuana Use

AlcoholismAlcoholism

Traumatic Brain InjuryTraumatic Brain Injury

Dysfunction Associated With Brain Dysfunction Associated With Brain DamageDamage

MobilityMobility SensationSensation CoordinationCoordination SwallowingSwallowing VisionVision AppetiteAppetite SpeechSpeech LearningLearning MemoryMemory Problem SolvingProblem Solving

PersonalityPersonality Impulse ControlImpulse Control MoodMood Anger managementAnger management SleepSleep AttentionAttention ConcentrationConcentration OrientationOrientation ConfusionConfusion Social functionSocial function

The Ultimate Case Study: The Ultimate Case Study: Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Phineas Gage was a 26 year old foreman Phineas Gage was a 26 year old foreman of a track construction crew that was of a track construction crew that was blasting granite to build a railroad.blasting granite to build a railroad.

Gage was, by all reports, likeable prior to Gage was, by all reports, likeable prior to his accident. his accident.

He was packing dynamite powder into a He was packing dynamite powder into a hole with a tamping rod when an explosion hole with a tamping rod when an explosion blew the rod through his skullblew the rod through his skull

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Gage was awake when he got to the Gage was awake when he got to the hospital with the rod sticking out of his hospital with the rod sticking out of his headhead

He could walk and talk as normalHe could walk and talk as normalHe developed fever from infection, but did He developed fever from infection, but did

not dienot dieHis behavior, however, was permanently His behavior, however, was permanently

changed.changed.

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Gage was frequently found wandering Gage was frequently found wandering around town in the rain at night with no around town in the rain at night with no coat or shoes (not a good idea in coat or shoes (not a good idea in Vermont).Vermont).

He is unreasonable, irritable, and uses He is unreasonable, irritable, and uses vulgar language. His old employees can vulgar language. His old employees can no longer work with himno longer work with him

Women are NOT attracted to him any Women are NOT attracted to him any moremore

Questions?Questions?