1. Describe the blood brain barrier
2. Describe the pathophysiology of parkinson’s disease
3. Describe the mechanism of action of the dopaminergic medications to treat parkinson’s. How do these medications reduce symptoms? Is there a cure for parkinson’s
4. Describe the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease
5. Describe the mechanism of action of the drugs for cognitive impairment (page 193). How do these medications achieve a therapeutic effect in Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Describe the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis
7. Describe the mechanism of action of the disease modifying drugs used to treat MS
8. Discuss 3 major nursing implications to medication used to treat MS and how these would be attended to
9. Describe the 5 ways in which antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) work to reduce seizures
10. Discuss two teaching points for a patient that is starting phenytoin
11. How do centrally acting muscle relaxants work to relieve spasticity?
Neurology Medication
Parkinson`s disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. Parkinson`s disease is primarily associated with the gradual loss of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. This area is responsible for the production of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that transmits signals between two regions of the brain to coordinate activity. For example, it connects the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum to regulate muscle activity. If there is deficiency of dopamine in the striatum the nerve cells in this region “fire” out control. This leaves the individual unable to direct or control movements. This leads to the initial symptoms of Parkinson`s disease. As the disease progresses, other areas of the brain and nervous system degenerate as well causing a more profound movement disorder.
by proving there is a common underlying causal process for each distinct effect. Second, Jackson uses evolution to prove his dualism. Polar bears have evolved to have a thick coat. This thickness makes the coat heavy. Thus, the polar bears experience what it is like to carry a heavy coat. This is clearly not conducive to survival. Therefore, from Darwin’s Theory we know that any evolved characteristics are either conducive to survival or a by-product of an evolutionary action that is conducive to survival. Jackson uses this support his argument against physicalism: “qualia are a by-product of certain brain processes that are conducive to survival” (Jackson). Third, Jackson emphasizes the relationships between how we know our minds through behavior. We only know about others’ minds through observing their behavior. So, we must ask: how can a person’s behavior accurately reflect that he has qualia unless they conclude that behavior is an outcome of qualia? This gives rise to the main weakness of Jackson’s view – there is no proper evidence for the refutation of epiphenomenal qualia. Another weakness of Jackson’s view is the lack of clarity of source. Where do these qualia come from? If not physical, then where? This brings into questions spirits and “upper powers,” such as God, the existence of which are heavily debated in the scientific community. Despite this, the validity of dualism (and the lack of proving dualism to be incorrect), is a strong argument and will continue to allow Jackson’s argument to be considered valid.
Because Jackson clearly refutes any existence of physicalism in his explanation of phenomenal qualia, and his argument is overall less problematic than the arguments of his opponents, I align more with Jackson’s knowledge argument than that of Lewis. Until the existence of the actual physical matter behind “what it is like” information is found, Jackson’s argument proves to be more valid than that of Lewis. Although I would like to think that everything involving humans can be linked back to the brain, I do believe that some things may never be explained.