How human brain works

1. Steve Wengel, M.D.
UNMC Department of Psychiatry
August 18, 2014

2. After this presentation, you will be able to:
• Understand how we learn about how the human
brain works
• List major brain areas and their functions
• Describe how normal aging affects brain functions
• Discuss the beneficial effects of meditation on the
human brain

3. 1. Are there pain receptors in the brain?
2. How many neurons are there in the
human brain?
3. How many synapses does a typical
neuron have?
4. Do we make new neurons as adults?

4. • Messages to and from one side of the body are
usually handled by the opposite side of the brain.
• The folded, crumpled structure of the cerebrum
contains an enormous amount of small and large
grooves and bulges, which greatly increases its overall
surface area. Because of its design, the surface area
of the cerebral cortex is tripled and if laid flat, would
cover an area of about three square feet.
• There are no pain receptors in the brain, so it can
feel no pain.

5. • There are
 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.
 100 BILLION neurons (nerve cells)
• Each neuron has between 1000 and 10,000
synapses (connections with other neurons)
• As we age, neurons die
• For most areas of the brain, we do not seem to
make new neurons after birth – but in some areas,
we are able to make new neurons

6. • The human brain is the fattest organ in the body,
consisting of at least 60% fat.
• While awake, your brain generates between 10 and
23 watts of power–or enough energy to power a light
bulb.
• Humans experience about 70,000 thoughts each
day.
• Children who learn two languages before the age of
five alter their brain structure to have much denser
gray matter as adults.
• As we age, our brains lose mass.

7. Wait for something bad to happen to a
normal person, and see what the result of
this is
Do experiments on other species
Do experiments on humans
Find a safe technology to study the brain

8. Term used to describe complex brain
functions like:
• Planning ahead
• Anticipating consequences
• Supplying motivation and drive
• Suppressing inappropriate behaviors

9. Gradual process
Starts around pre-teen years
Fully develops only in the 20s (or never!)

11. Term used to describe
sudden, intense,
unconscious
emotional response
which “takes over”
higher brain centers

12. Activation of fight or flight mechanism
Overactivity of sympathetic nervous
system
• Catecholamine release
 Dopamine
 Epinephrine
 Norepinephrine
• Cortisol release
• Neuropeptide S

13. Cortisol release:
• Impaired concentration, short-term memory
• Hippocampal atrophy
Neuropeptide S
• Insomnia
• Sense of urgency

14. Decreased anxiety
Better sleep
Better problem-solving
Increased empathy
Better patient care

15. Increased cortical thickness in
• Prefrontal cortex
 Increased attention
 Enhancement of complex cognitive behaviors
• Right anterior insula
 Integration of body sensation, emotions
 S. Lazar, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital 2006

16. Term coined by Herbert Benson, M.D.
• Cardiologist at Harvard
• Lifelong research on role of stress on health, and
positive effects of eliciting relaxation
• Basic tenet: stress response and relaxation
response are both hard wired, and mutually
exclusive
Stress
response
Relaxation
response

17.  The following is the generic technique taught at the
Benson-Henry Institute:
 Pick a focus word, short phrase, or prayer that is
firmly rooted in your belief system, such as "one,"
"peace," "The Lord is my shepherd," "Hail Mary full
of grace," or "shalom."
 Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
 Close your eyes.
 Breathe slowly and naturally, and as you do, say
your focus word, sound, phrase, or prayer silently
to yourself as you exhale.

18.  Assume a passive attitude. Don't worry about how well
you're doing. When other thoughts come to mind,
simply say to yourself, "Oh well," and gently return to
your repetition.
 Continue for 10 to 20 minutes.
 Do not stand immediately. Continue sitting quietly for a
minute or so, allowing other thoughts to return. Then
open your eyes and sit for another minute before
rising.
 Practice the technique once or twice daily. Good times
to do so are before breakfast and before dinner.
 Don’t do the technique within 2 hours after a heavy
meal.

19. www. relaxationresponse.org

20.  When you wash the dishes, wash the dishes
 “Stop” for 1-3 minutes every hour during the
workday to focus on your breathing, bodily
sensations, and thoughts and feelings
 Once a week, eat a meal in silence, paying
attention to all elements of the experience –
the taste, texture and temperature of the food;
the muscles you use to cut the food and bring
it to your mouth; etc.

21. When getting dressed, start with the
opposite arm or leg than you usually use
Try brushing your teeth with the opposite
hand, or at least start on the opposite side
of your mouth