Posted: May 15th, 2023

wk 1. As a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner

wk 1. As a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, before you can recommend potential pharmacotherapeutics to address a patient’s condition or disorder, you must understand the basic function and structure of the neuron and central nervous system. For this Assignment, you will review and apply your understanding of neuroanatomy by addressing a set of short answer prompts.

To Prepare:

Review the Learning Resources for this week in preparation to complete this Assignment.
Reflect on the basic function and structure of the neuron in relation to the central nervous system.
Reflect on the inter-connectedness between neurons and the central nervous system, including the pathway and distribution of electrical impulses.
Reflect on how neurons communicate with each other and review the concept of neuroplasticity.Address the following Short Answer prompts for your Assignment. Be sure to include references to the Learning Resources for this week.
In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions):
What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?
Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?
What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control?
In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples.
The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.
In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.

__________________________
The neuron is the basic unit of the nervous system and consists of several components. The cell body, or soma, contains the nucleus and other organelles. Dendrites extend from the cell body and receive signals from other neurons. The axon is a long, thin projection that transmits electrical impulses called action potentials. At the end of the axon, there are terminal buttons that release neurotransmitters into the synapse, which is the junction between two neurons. Electrical impulses travel down the axon, initiated by a depolarization of the cell membrane. This impulse travels in one direction, from the cell body to the terminal buttons. At the termination of the impulse, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse to communicate with the next neuron.

The major components that make up the subcortical structures include the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and limbic system. The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information. The hypothalamus plays a role in regulating various physiological functions, including hunger, thirst, and body temperature. The basal ganglia are involved in movement coordination, learning, and habit formation. The limbic system is associated with emotions, memory, and motivation.

The component that plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction is the limbic system, particularly the hippocampus. The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories and the consolidation of long-term memories. It also plays a role in spatial navigation. Additionally, the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, is involved in the emotional response and the processing of rewards, which can contribute to addiction.

The two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control are dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and movement coordination. Dysfunction of the dopamine system is associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and helps regulate neuronal excitability. It plays a role in fine-tuning motor movements by inhibiting excessive neuronal firing.

Glia cells, also known as neuroglia, are non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection to neurons in the central nervous system. They include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. Astrocytes maintain the chemical environment around neurons, regulate nutrient supply, and help form the blood-brain barrier. Oligodendrocytes produce myelin, a fatty substance that insulates neuronal axons and facilitates faster conduction of electrical impulses. Microglia are the immune cells of the central nervous system and play a role in immune response and inflammation.

The synapse is the area of communication between two neurons. Specifically, the axon terminal of one neuron communicates with the dendrites or cell body of the next neuron. This communication occurs in a unidirectional manner, from the presynaptic neuron (sending neuron) to the postsynaptic neuron (receiving neuron). Neurotransmitters released from the presynaptic neuron bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, transmitting the signal.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental influences. It involves the formation of new neural connections and the remodeling of existing ones. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize and compensate for damage or changes in input. For example, after a stroke, unaffected areas of the brain may rewire themselves to take over functions that were previously performed by the damaged areas. Neuroplasticity is also involved in learning and memory processes, as repeated experiences can strengthen synaptic connections.

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