Introduction to Neuroscience for OTs

Study Notes

Neuroscience is a branch of science that studies the nervous system, including its anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology
Understanding the nervous system is important for becoming an Occupational Therapist (OT)

Helps understand the impact of neurological conditions on clients
Helps develop effective intervention strategies for clients with neurological impairments

Topographic organization: Neurons responsible for the same function are located close together
Somatotopic organization: Visual representation of the body on the brain ("homunculus")

Somatic/Visceral: Body/organs
Afferent/Efferent:
- Afferent: carries sensory information from skin/muscles to the spinal cord
- Efferent: Carries motor information from the spinal cord towards muscles/glands/organs
Lesion: An area of damage or dysfunction

Two major types of cells in the nervous system:
- Neurons: The basic functional unit of the nervous system
- Glial cells: Support and protect neurons

Cell body (soma): Metabolic center, receives and integrates information, and houses the axon hillock
Dendrites: Receive information, the main input site of the neuron. Increase the receptive surface of the neuron.
Axon: Sends information to other neurons, the main output unit. Arises from the axon hillock. Groups together to form nerves and tracts.
Presynaptic terminal: Specialized areas at the distal axon that release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Functions:
- Provide structural support
- Provide electrical insulation (form myelin)
- Scavengers
- Important in development

Astrocytes (CNS): Clean the neural environment. Part of the blood brain barrier. Connect neurons and blood capillaries, providing nutrition to neurons. Can regulate neuronal communication.
Oligodendrocytes (CNS): Form myelin to insulate axons in the CNS
Schwann cells (PNS): Form myelin to insulate axons in the Peripheral Nervous System

Mature neurons cannot reproduce
Stem cells: Undifferentiated cells with the ability to:
- Self-renew
- Differentiate into most types of neurons and glial cells
- Populate developing and degenerating regions of the CNS

Gray matter: Cell bodies
- Integrates information
- CNS: Nuclei (cortex; horn)
- PNS: Ganglia
White matter: Axons and myelin
- Conveys information
- CNS: Tract, fasciculus, column, peduncle, lemniscus, capsule
- PNS: Nerve

Nervous system development in utero begins with the formation of the neural tube.
Two phases of the Embryonic Stage (Day 15 - end of the 8th week):
- Neural tube formation (Day 18-26): Part of the ectoderm thickens to form a structure called the neural plate. The edges fold to form the neural groove. When the edges meet, the neural tube is formed.
- Brain formation (Begins Day 28)