Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy: It is like a sleeping disorder where you fall asleep instantly
not under your control. The strange sleep about Narcolepsy is that you may have
gotten a good night sleep, but you still may have the attacks to or 15 minutes
after waking up. Impressive stats about Narcolepsy are that you have this sleep
attacks around 60 times a day. In the video we just watched Mohammed has this
serious and hard problem. We could see in this documentary that he was just talking
to the camera about the disease and he fell asleep instantly. He had to be accompanied
by his wife everywhere he wanted to go. This guy also has Cataplexy. It is when
you lose control of your muscles and when you have the attack you go to sleep
and fall down. I could see in the video that he fell to the ground every time
he had the attack. He even fell on a museum and on a London sidewalk. The sad
part of this for Mohammed was that he was so excited in going to the London
Science Museum (it is his favorite place) that he had the attack various times.
It is just hard to have Narcolepsy, you don’t live a normal life, and people
may think other things about you. It is very hard for a person as well to control
the problem, it is just tough and sad to see this occurrence.

The Tale of Dreaming

Sleeping, the best part of my day. When i rest, take a nap, its all the satisfaction i need. Dreaming is the most interesting part in the sleeping category. You dream crazy stuff, but as well some things make sense. Well from the video we just watched i learned the reasoning behind dreaming. I learned many new stuff from this video, it was highly interesting. Most of the time we dream, we cant remember it. When you had a dream, you know that you slept very good. When we dream, we are searching for an answer, because dreams are of high significance. When we dream we are processing information of the past day. We have accomplished great things thanks to dreaming. We dream most of the time when are in REM stage. When we are woken up in REM we have a strange personality. During this stage our emotions are activated, that why we may wake up from our dream and we are crying. Did you know that when we are depressed and we dream, we wake up even more depressed. It makes us even sadder! As you can see there were lots of thing new to me which i learned from this video. I think dreaming is highly interesting. We learn lots of things from dreaming. It shows us how crazy our mind is because there are sometimes we have crazy dreams. I also think like the video staded that we dream for a purpose; to seek an answer or even show us a lesson. I really enjoyed this video, it was highly fascinating, and i learned lots of things.

Sensory Deprivation

Sensory Deprivation is a huge weapon that can affect a country's or some ones life forever. It is used to get information in a dramatic, traumatic, and cruel way. People are placed in a room with no light, just walls and a bed. There is a camera to observe someone actions, as well a microphone so they can have sort of a interaction. I observed that people went nuts in there. they had no brain STIMULATION! I also observed this is used during wars, to posses some information, and it is a very good tactic. I also observed they are not treated that well in my point of view. I see people struggle to come out of this, but the important part is that they gain again everything they lacked for those 72 hours or so. I think this is a cruel way and unjust way to get information. It shows us how important it is to have stimulation. I really feel sorry for those who were placed on that bed for 2 days. It also showed us how it affected people memory, language, and vision. Sensory Deprivation in me view is used is applied in a nice place for the US (Cuba), it has helped them with war issues. In conclusion sensory deprivation shows how important brain stimulation is and how it can affect and drive nuts the people who are being "deprived".

Mental Ability

1. Explain in detail what "savant syndrome" means: it means having low functioning in mental or physical disability but having one great talent better than most or everyone else.  

http://www.psy.dmu.ac.uk/drhiles/Savant%20Syndrome.htm  

2. What does genius mean?  Explain the difference between genius and savant: A genius is someone who has a high level of ability is all areas. The difference is that savants are not gifted in many areas, only in one specific one. Genius in the other hand is more complete and don’t necessarily have talents in one area in particular. 

http://www.aboutintelligence.co.uk/phenomenon-genius.html  

3. What is a stroke and how could it affect your mental functioning? A stroke is when you have the blockage of blood and oxygen to your brain. It rarely causes someone’s ability to increase. Usually it removes mayor abilities like walking, takings, running, eating, etc. Stroke is also one of the leading causes of death. 

http://www.righthealth.com/topic/What_Is_A_Stroke? p=l&as=goog&ac=404  

4. What is a functional MRI and how does it help us understand brain activity? A FMRI is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that is used to obtain detailed images of the body internal structure. This created an image of a soft tissue and it allows scientist to better understand the brain. It also helps us to find which part of the brain is used to handle critical functions such as speech. 

http://www.ionpsych.com/2011/02/02/4-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-youre-reading-about-fmri/

5. What is the corpus callosum and what role does it play in your brain's activity? The corpus callosum is a huge bundle of nerve fibers found in mammalian brains. It connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and is responsible for most of the communication between the two. It is composed of white matter, that is, militated nerve cells, or axons, whose primary function is to connect grey areas together with neural impulses.  

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-corpus-callosum.htm

6. What is epilepsy and how might it affect your brain's abilities? Epilepsy is a condition, which affects the nervous system. It is also known as a seizure disorder. The seizures may be related to brain injury or its hereditary (most unknown). Epilepsy may cause memory loss, as well affecting language. 

http://www.epilepsy.com/

7. What is autism? Autism is a term used for a number of developmental disabilities called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a life-long neurobiological disorder that affects how the person perceives and interprets their world, particularly the social environment. The symptoms of ASD vary and can range from mild to severe, but most children on the spectrum show difficulties with: Social Interaction, verbal and non verbal communication, repetitive behaviors or limited interests. 

http://www.autismwest.org.au/index.php/about-autism/2-what-is-autism.html

8. What is Asperger's Syndrome? Is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests? It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. 

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/department67.cfm  

Synesthesia

1. Synesthesia: is when normal but separate senses are not separate. Meaning that senses like site, sound, touch, tase, are mingled and crosswired. For example you might taste a sound,you might touch a sound, or even taste pointy chicken as a pointy object. 

 http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8445
2. grapheme-color synesthesia: it is a type of synesthesia whre the individual capacity to percept a number and letters are asociated with the experience of colors. This type is involutary, memorable, and consistent. It is one of the most common types as well as one of the most studied.

http://steverudolfi.com/blog/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:synesthesia-definition&catid=11:synesthesia&Itemid=4

3. ordinal-linguistic personification:is a form of synesthesia in which ordered sequences, such as ordinal numbers, days, months and letters are associated with personalities. This type has been emphasised to find a cure just barely despite being documented in the 1980's. 

 

http://www.google.hn/search?hl=es-419&biw=1276&bih=839&defl=en&q=define:Ordinal+linguistic+personification&sa=X&ei=YuxrTdfrKYOB8gaI1KTZCw&ved=0CBgQkAE

4. number-form synesthesia: numbers, days of week, and months of year are seen in precise location in space. 

http://thejapanesepage.com/node/1239

5. sound-color synesthesia: where certain sounds trigger the viewing of color or simple shapes

http://undacovabear.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/sound-colour-synesthesia/

6. lexical-gustatory synesthesia: words causing specific taste sensation is mouth.

http://home.comcast.net/~sean.day/WardSimner2003.pdf

Accidental Genius

There was one thing I didn’t know prior to this video, which I now know. It is the definition of a savant. A savant is somebody that has special ability, but mentally impaired. Gifted Savant is someone who can do a specific thing very well; and last but not least a prodigious savant, which is a prodigy (the best) at something. 

This video was highly interesting. The story of George in particular. He knows the day of any date that is very interesting. No story shocks me more than the one of Tommy McHew. He was a normal man, and married as well. After he had a brain injury he became highly obsessed with writing and drawing. He ended up loosing his wife because he was so obsessed with one thing that her wife hated. I also find pretty interesting how scarce savant are, and especially prodigious savants (100 total). 

I think this is an interesting topic. Because savants have the ability to do extraordinary things. Instead of being amassed at what they can do. Their intelligence should be exploited and used to find secrets the world has right now. Like cancer, diabetes, etc. 

Made Genius

One of the things I learned from this video is that thinking occurs in the Cortex Corpus Colossal, and its more advanced in women. Also that with constant repetition of one thing it goes into long term memory. This is chunking goes into place; where you break down information. 

There I many things I found interesting in this video. The story of Susan is astonishing. In a place were women were not supposed to play chess, she found it highly interesting and having her father as a mentor was excellent. When she was a kid she used to beat elite men at chess. Basically here whole childhood consisted of CHESS. She can play 5 games simultaneously in her head. After all her hard work when she was 15 she became the top ranked women chess player in the world. Hard work does pay off! 

What do I think about this? Very simple, you just need to practice to accomplish her goal. Early stimulation as a child helped her develop the chess skill. I also think that there has to be a balance. Meaning she can be good at chess, but not loose the touch on other important skills. 

Born Genius

Once a brain part is not stimulated at a young age, you loose that part for ever (speech, grammar, reading, etc). So early stimulation is proven that makes that individual more intelligent. These are the new things I learned in this video. In relation to this what I found interesting was the story of a girl left 13 years in a house with no life. It basically ended her life forever. 

Another thing highly interesting was the story of MARK. He was truly a gifted child. Since he was a kid he played 40 different classical music on the piano and also in 5 different orchestras in 1 year. Mark is a truly gifted musician. He was definitely born this way. The interesting part is how her mother helped her a lot in practicing. Mark adored music, and got the opportunity to play wit his idol in 2009. 

What do I think about this? I think that people born this way are truly blessed. He can become famous one day if he keeps practicing. I also think Mark's mother played an important role in this kid. First in finding his talent and then in exploiting his talent. 

Homosexuality Video

Homosexuality is a highly controversial topic. Did you know the gene homosexuality runs in the family? Also about the older brother theorem (refer later)? Another thing I learned is that Gay people talk differently, and move differently, as well as gayness may come from hormones. This topic may look grossing, but its rather interesting. The older brother theorem was highly interesting. Stating that older brothers have 2% chance of coming out gay. The next brothers that come out of a mother wound have 1/3 more chance than the last brother. As well if the older brother is right handed, the younger brother has a higher chance of coming out gay. The most interesting part of this video was a story of 2 brothers: Jared and Adam. Both were boys, but one loves pony's, dolls, nails, girls stuff, and another GI JOE, military, and boys stuff. Certainly both came out that way, but I highly disagree the mother letting the kid have girl "appetite". What do I think about this? Well, its not I can’t stand being with gay people, but it would be better if they can be apart from me. You are made men/women to love women/men, not vice versa. I also think if they are born that way, there is nothing they could have done. 

KILLER INSTINCTS

We would love to see a peaceful world. As much good stuff there is, there is always the bad stuff. Criminals are some things that put nervous people al around the world. Some more in some places then other places. One thing you should know is that criminals are not born criminals, they are made criminals. It consists of their brain having some problems. Also juvenile delinquents are more capable of murders, injuries, and emergencies. Criminals have sexual aggression and bad coordination. Many of them go to mental hospitals. Criminal’s frontal lobe has poor judgment. Aside from what I learned, lets talk about the interesting stuff. Arthur: a feared old man who has killed around 13 people. He lived in the Rochester area. Arthur took a kid fishing and that kid never appeared again, he also raped a girl, he strangled 3 women, and also killed prostitutes. Arthur had brain damage, and also had sexual abuses when he was a child. This stuff when he was little made him be the killer he is now. Terrance: A sycophant. He killed his entire family including his wife, son, and daughter. Terrance had humongous brain damage, and felt his mother didn’t love him when he was a child. He lived a normal life, which his family didn’t even think he was a murderer for one bit. One day in a discussion with his wife he ended up killing her, and then his teenage daughter, and young son. No words can explain how tragic this accident is. I think that this murderers and all murderer in general lack Frontal Lobe Emergency. I surely believe they are good people inside, but feel insecure and want to show off their "talents". I strongly agree that murders are also made by country’s customs. For example Central America, Haiti, Colombia, etc. who are Latino cultures, have way more murders than for example the US, Canada, Europe, etc. These are ridicule acts that cause people pain and misery! 

BRAIN INJURY :(

In matter of seconds your whole life can change upside down. Bad decision-making can lead to horrendous brain injury. Brain injury will change our lives forever! Be alert, be active, and be safe. From this video there are many things I found interesting. For example that 1/4 of Americans are treated with brain damage. Those problems can be hearing, speaking, thinking, emotions, etc. I also learned the 3 types of brain injury: contusion, collection of blood, and axonal injury. There are many things I found interesting. What caught my eye the most where the 3 different stories. Anita: had accident in car, has problems in math, running, reading. Force was applied to skull (TBI). I think this is a fatal injury because either you caused it or someone else driving the car caused it. Anita frontal and temporal lobe where damaged the most. Brain: had the most inexcusable brain injury I think. He got in a fight and got beat up badly. He ended up being in a coma. As well I think this is the saddest story of them all. He lost most of his ability to speak. It rips my heart hearing him speak, I feel so sad and glad I am who I am. Zscheda: the last story, he had 3 months of rehabilitation, and had to learn how to use left vs. right brain, talk, eat. These stories where highly interesting, but very hard and difficult to watch. I think brain injuries are the worst thing to have because it’s what demonstrates who we are. I also think some violent sports should become less violent because concussions are now common, and it can ruin an athlete’s life forever. 

SPOOKY SPOOKY MIND READING

What is impressive out of all this is the technologic advance we have had recently. It is told that technology will advance more in the next 5 years than what has advanced the last 10. What we do know is that neuroscientist do FMRI on people to know what they are thinking. The machine records and analyzes the information exactly where the parts are located in the brain, it also identifies people thoughts. I also learned that this machine could show the intention of people. Imagine when they develop this idea the amount of intentions we will know about people. I also learned that they want to research what the brain is seeing. I found very interesting what this new idea opens up for everyone. For example brands can FMRI people to see what they like and commercial purposes. It can also lead to new discovery and findings. I also found interesting the ability the machine had to show our feelings like "love' "hypocrisy" "happiness". What do I think of all of this? I love technology and I love how it is developing. Technology opens new windows of opportunities. New jobs can open. When I was little I saw this as science fiction, now its really happening. There can also be a downside; secrets can be identified, or personal information. So, in conclusion I love this idea, but it needs to be used correctly. 

Inside the Teenage Brain

Being a teenage I know how hard we can be sometimes, but there are times we make our parents proud. The video we just saw about the Teenage brain shows how we can be immature sometimes, and how we feel we are right all the time. I somewhat agree with my parents suggestions, but there are sometimes I feel they are not understanding me to fulfill my needs. I think this video was resourceful because it unlocked some of the questions I had about my brain. Now I know that my frontal lobe is my decision making part, but it doesn’t really mature until I am in my 20's. That means my parents are sometimes right and that they do what is best for me. Some new things I learned that I am interested in are how important sleeping is to us. Every day I try to sleep at least 9 hours. With so much extracurricular activities, and homework it’s impossible to accomplish it. Every morning I wake up tired because of last night. I was not aware how important sleeping is to us. By sleeping more we make better decisions, we grasp what we studied much better, and we obviously feel more awake. I liked this video, because it showed me some new things that I am going to adapt into my daily routine. I love being a teenager because it’s our last step in being a full grown adult and it’s when our loving parents are slowly letting us go!