The Brain and its Functions Regarding Disorders - Essay Example

This essay explores an interesting topic of the human brain disorders, epilepsy in particular. The periodic changes in electrical impulses within the brain lead to a culmination of seizures which may be mild or severe and last for a few seconds to several minutes. In the case of an epileptic spasm the cells within the brain are activated rapidly beyond their normal functioning rates. For instance, during a partial convulsion of epilepsy, only a small portion of the brain is actively involved. However, in the condition of primary and generalized spasms, the entire brain is involved.

Anything hindrance to the normal functioning of the neurons raging from abnormal development and damage to the brain may lead to spasms. Epileptic conditions are further complicated by cognitive, social comorbidities and psychiatric factors. As such, this human condition has become a major concern and investigative studies on its adverse effect to life quality and course has prevailed worldwide. These factors can be collectively referred to as neurobehavioral comorbidities of the epilepsies.

Imperatively, epilepsy incidence peaks occur in early childhood and adult years. Individuals with epilepsy exhibit significantly raised odd ratios within social settings, social phobia, agoraphobia, anxiety disorder suicidal tendencies as well as depression. Furthermore, a majority o the epilepsy syndromes have in common social, psychiatric and behavioral problems such as ADHD, unemployment, conduct problems and social isolation. (Lin, Mula & Hermann, 2012). Electroencephalogram (EEG) is helpful in the determination on the type of seizure and epilepsy syndrome in patients with epilepsy.

Therefore, this diagnostic platform plays an important role in the choice of antiepileptic medication as well as in the prediction of prognosis. Electroencephalogram findings play a vital role in the multi-axial diagnosis of epileptic seizures in terms of whether the disorder is general or focal, partial or specific epilepsy and idiopathic or symptomatic. In atypical procedure, the technologist attaches about 17 to 20 metal discs that are flattened usually electrodes onto the head (Smith, 2005).

This is aided by use of sticky paste to firmly hold the electrodes in the right location. Alternatively, a cap containing fixed electrodes may be placed on the patient’s head. Under rare circumstances, these electrodes may be fixed onto the head using minute needles through the scalp. These electrodes are connected to wires/fibers that linked to a computer which displays the electrical impulses occurring in the brain. In this diagnosis session, the patient lies while eyes are closed while recording and may be asked to do a number of activities that stimulate the activity of the brain.

The diagnosis of electrical activity under the electroencephalogram may take up to 2 hours (Smith, 2005). Epilepsy develops due to abnormalities in the wiring of neuron and sensory nerves leading to imbalances in the nerve signaling moiety known as neurotransmitters. Additionally changes in features of the brain cells termed as