BrainOorganization: What is the Reticular System of the Brain?

The reticular system of the brain is a network of interconnected neurons that extends from the medulla oblongata to the thalamus. This system regulates many vital functions, including wakefulness, attention, and motor control.

Dr. Curtis Cripe, head of NTL Group’s research and development team, notes that the reticular system is divided into two main regions: the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) and the descending reticular inhibiting system (DIRS). The ARAS is responsible for promoting wakefulness and alertness, while the DIRS regulates sleep and relaxation.

The reticular system plays a key role in the brain’s reward system. This system is responsible for releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. The dopamine release in the reward system makes activities such as eating, sex, and exercise pleasurable.

Dopamine plays a major role in addiction and substance abuse. Drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and heroin, cause a large release of dopamine in the brain’s reward system. This leads to the feeling of euphoria that is often associated with drug use.

The reticular system is also involved in learning and memory. It has been shown to be necessary for the formation of new memories, as well as the consolidation of old ones.

Common problems with the reticular system include sleep disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and addiction. Treatment for these conditions often focuses on correcting the underlying imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Specialists who research the reticular system are called neuroscientists. They use a variety of tools and techniques to study the brain. These include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, neuroscientists are constantly working to better understand the brain and its many complex functions. By studying the reticular system, they hope to develop better treatments for conditions that affect the brain.

Learn more about NTL Group’s research and development head Dr. Curtis Cripe and the work he does by clicking on this link.

The Human Brain And Beyond: What Is Brain Plasticity?

In neurological terms, plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience. Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that brain plasticity allows us to improve our brain function by doing things that challenge and help us learn new things.

There are two main types of brain plasticity:

Neuroplasticity: This is the brain’s ability to change its structure and function in response to experience. This type of plasticity occurs throughout our lives but is particularly important during development when the brain grows and changes the most.

Cognitive plasticity: This refers to the brain’s ability to learn new information and skills and make new connections between different areas of the brain. This type of plasticity is essential for learning new things and keeping our brains healthy as we age.

While brain plasticity is a complex process that is not yet fully understood, Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that it is influenced by many factors, including genes, environment, and lifestyle.

There are many ways to improve brain plasticity. Some of the most effective methods include:

Physical activity: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which helps nourish and protect brain cells. It also promotes the growth of new nerve cells and connections in the brain.

Cognitive stimulation: Challenging the brain with new activities and experiences, such as venturing into a new hobby, learning a new language, or doing puzzles and brain teasers, can help improve brain plasticity.

Sleep: Sleep helps consolidate memories and allows the brain to repair and regenerate cells, notes Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Nutrition: Subscribing to a balanced and nutritious diet is vital for all aspects of health, including brain health. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and food rich in omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial for brain plasticity.

Stress management: Managing stress is essential for overall health and well-being, and it can help improve brain plasticity. Some ways to manage stress include relaxation techniques, exercise, and getting enough sleep.

Neuroengineer Dr. Curtis Cripe</a> has had a hand in the continued development of the programs used by the NTL Group. For more on Dr. Cripe and the work he does, check out his profile page on the NTL Group official.

NTL Group: The work of a neurobiologist

The work of a neurobiologist is that of applying the principles of biology to understand how the brain functions, processes information, and controls its organism’s behavior.

Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group explains that the primary objective of studying the nervous system is to determine how it works. One way is by studying what happens when damage occurs to certain parts of the neural network. A famous example of this is Phineas Gage’s accident, which caused significant damage to the front part of his brain. It was found that although he could physically function, he had lost certain abilities concerning decision-making and emotions.

A neurobiologist studies how information is transmitted between neurons. They examine how neural circuits are formed and localized and how information is processed from the moment the neuron arrives at a synaptic terminal to when it releases neurotransmitters into the junction.

Curtis Cripe notes that a neurobiologist researches all aspects of neural function in genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and functional anatomy. They mainly study different types of neurons to conclude how they are alike or different.

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A neurobiologist can work in various settings; for example, some work in laboratories, where they experiment on animal models of diseases and the mechanisms behind them or create computer models of neural systems to test hypotheses. Others work in hospitals, performing surgeries on patients with brain or nervous system injuries. Dr. Curtis Cripe adds that some neurobiologists also work in colleges and universities, teaching new techniques and theories.

A career as a neurobiologist is demanding due to the complex nature of the job. It requires extensive knowledge of the nervous system, which can be challenging to obtain due to its being highly detailed. In addition, aspiring neurobiologists must have strong chemistry, math, and physics background to be successful.

Learn more about Dr. Curtis Cripe and the NTL Group by visiting this website.

The special case about Einstein’s brain

Is there something special about Albert Einstein’s brain that made him surpass an average person’s intelligence? In today’s article, Dr. Curtis Cripe will discuss the famed scientist’s brain in a way that neuroscience can explain why he is the genius that the world recognizes.

Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76. He was suffering from internal bleeding caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm a day prior. During the autopsy, a scientist named Thomas Stoltz Harvey took the brain without the consent of Einstein’s family. Dr. Curtis Cripe notes that Harvey may have committed this in the hope that future studies in neuroscience would discover what made Einstein so intelligent.

Harvey kept Einstein’s brain for 40 years. He dissected it into several pieces, keeping some for his own studies while distributing others to leading pathologists for the same purpose. He eluded detection by keeping sections of the brain in a cider keg inside a beer cooler, and it was only in the 1990s when he returned what remained of Einstein’s brain to Princeton Hospital. This eventually paved the way for neuroscientists to study it.

Studies have noted anomalies in Einstein’s brain, such as an enlarged Sylvian fissure and extra glial cells and neurons. In 1999, scientists from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, revealed that the parietal operculum region somewhere in the frontal lobe in Einstein’s brain was vacant. Also absent was the lateral sulcus. Scientists speculated that these vacancies might have enabled neurons in that part of Einstein’s brain to communicate better, which probably contributed to his intelligence.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is head of research and development at the NTL Group, specializing in developing brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. For more blogs like this, click here.

Facts on ADHD in children that every parent should know

The American Psychiatric Association has reported that around 5 percent of children in the U.S. have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, while the Center for Disease Control puts the number at around 11 percent. Here are some important facts on ADHD which every parent should know, as shared by Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group.

ADHD is real.

A lot of people have contested the existence of ADHD in recent years, dismissing it to be simple “restlessness.” Unfortunately, ADHD is a lot more than simply getting bored, distracted, or overwhelmed. While this may be attributed to technology, it is not like ADHD, which is connected to genetics. People with ADHD also feel restless, but a lot more often and with much more intensity that it affects their daily lives.

As mentioned earlier, research has shown a significant link between ADHD genetics. It has been reported that children with ADHD have gene variations that other children do not.

ADHD lasts a lifetime.

Image source: changingthegameproject.com

ADHD cannot be outgrown. The symptoms of ADHD change as people age. Maturity may make a person seem less hyperactive. However. adults who were once children with ADHD would have difficulty completing everyday tasks, especially ones that they find boring. These adults always feel a restlessness within, and an itch, wanting to be always on the move.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a background that includes child neurodevelopment, among other disciplines. He is also the head of the Research and Development department of the NTL group. For more on Dr. Cripe and his work, follow this Facebook page.

Concussions: What everyone should know

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According to Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group, any bump to the head should be taken seriously. There is a concussion protocol that many healthcare professionals follow. While patients may not be experiencing symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, headache, and dizziness, it’s still best that they don’t wait, especially if it was a stronger blow to the head than usual.

For minor bumps to the head wherein the pain goes away within minutes, they should still be monitored for a good 24 hours. This is the normal practice, especially for children. However, if the symptoms linger or become chronic, then Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that it is best to go to the hospital’s emergency room for a check-up.

It’s easy to mistake a bump to the head and the lack of symptoms for something less serious. But Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that some symptoms may appear normal when they are not – and these could be more dangerous.

Signs of serious head injuries requiring immediate medical attention are difficulty staying awake or being sleepy hours after, bruising and bleeding from one or both ears, sudden problems with reading and writing, poor vision, and slurred speech. When any of these signs emerge, people should immediately be taken to the hospital, and if possible, with someone by their side.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. Drop by this website to know more about Dr. Cripe’s work and interests.

Understanding brain injuries: A review

Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group mentions that one of the most important things people can learn from first aid classes is how to handle people who have experienced head injuries. This is an incredibly delicate situation wherein the brain may have experienced trauma that could lead to brain damage. Dr. Cripe notes that people with brain injuries are affected in all sorts of ways. It may even have an immense effect on how they move, feel, think, or function. It is estimated that more than 5 million people in the US struggle with brain injury.

Brain injuries can happen in various ways, with the most common being accidents. People sustain brain injuries from car crashes, slips or falls, sports accidents, unforeseen violence, bomb explosions at war, or repeated concussions in a full-contact sport like boxing or MMA.

People can also sustain brain injuries in other ways other than sudden and intense impact. For example, cutting the supply of oxygen to the brain can have an extremely harmful effect. Tumors and infections are other causes of brain injuries. The most common non-traumatic cause of brain injuries, however, is stroke.

People with brain injuries experience several symptoms, including headaches, poor vision, inability to communicate, insomnia, and more severe problems like seizures and the gradual decline of motor skills. Dr. Curtis Cripe stresses that anyone who takes care of people living with brain injuries should, above all, understand that their patients may not be able to do the things they used to do.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. For more reads on neurology, go to this page.

Telemedicine is here to stay

Amidst many challenges, people have been able to come out successful, thanks to advancements in technology. One of the best examples in recent times is the use of telemedicine, which Dr. Curtis Cripe wishes to talk about in today’s blog.

Before the COVID19 pandemic, telemedicine was already a practice among professionals in the medical field. Back then, it received its share of criticism. So many people questioned the effectiveness of telemedicine, especially in terms of how properly a diagnosis can be made by a doctor on the patient.

When the COVID19 pandemic fell upon us, telemedicine played a huge role. The general consensus at the start of the pandemic was for everyone to stay indoors and refrain from meeting other people. While this did a lot in terms of protecting people from the effects of the coronavirus, this did not do anything to help address their other needs. As Dr. Curtis Cripe points out, periodic checkups with the doctor became challenging, if not impossible.

When a good portion of the public turned to telemedicine, it didn’t take long for people to realize that it works. There are cases wherein doctors do not need to be physically present in order to provide a diagnosis for a patient’s condition. With mobile communication over the internet, a lot of issues can be solved. If the issues are found to be indeterminable with telemedicine, then that’s the only time the patient comes over for an appointment.

Telemedicine has been proven to be effective, and more importantly, it has shown that it serves various purposes for the times we are in today, shares Dr. Curtis Cripe. That’s why even when the lockdown season is over, telemedicine will be surely here to stay.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a diverse multidisciplinary background that includes engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. He currently heads the Research and Development Division of NTL Group, for advanced technology for brain and cognitive repair. For more information, please visit this page.

Telemedicine – An effective tool in today’s disconnected world

Dr. Curtis Cripe has observed that people have avoided each other as much as possible out of fear of being infected with the virus. Today, he discusses why telemedicine becomes an even more effective tool in such a disconnected world.

According to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) telehealth and telemedicine is defined as: Technology enabled health and care management and delivery systems that extend capacity and access. In some cases, it creates a venue wherein a diagnosis of a patient’s condition can be performed.

Using the traditional route of getting a diagnosis, a patient has to literally commute from one place to another just to reach the doctor’s clinic, notes Dr. Curtis Cripe. Chances are, the patient has to fall in line before being attended to by his physician. This already takes up a lot of time and energy from both doctor and patient, and yet the patient has to go through his commute back to where he came from.

The truth is, there are cases wherein doctors do not need to get up close with their patients to provide their expertise. With today’s online audiovisual exchange, a huge part of diagnoses can be done at a competent level. In case this would not suffice, and there is a need for a face-to-face consultation, this can be determined in the telemedicine session itself, says Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Telemedicine removes a lot of hassle on the patient’s end, while also providing a safe means for patients to receive healthcare during the pandemic.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a diverse multidisciplinary background that includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. He founded the Crossroads Institute and now heads the research and development teams as developers of Cognitive Repair for Brain Disorders technology. For related reading, please visit this page.

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