CASE STUDIES IN NEUROLOGY

Introduction

Neurology is a branch of biology that pertains to the nervous system's anatomy, functions, and
organic disorders. The nervous system's role is primarily to coordinate body activities (Mai, J., &
Paxinos, G., 2012). the nervous system can be divided into two major parts;

1. The central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and
2. A peripheral nervous system comprising of the eyes, ears, and skin, among other
sensory receptors

The responses to reflex action are sudden. They are usually involuntary, and they do not
require the processing of thought. Sensory nerves are involved in the detection of external
stimuli. Reflex arcs formed by detecting and responding to external stimuli involve information
being sent to the brain. The central nervous system is usually covered by a protective layer
called the myelin sheath. This study covers the aspects like congenital sensitivity to pain and
multiple sclerosis that are some disorders associated with the central nervous system.

Case study 1

1. The brain interprets the external stimuli that a person is exposed to. The role of the
spinal cord in the central nervous system is to relay information to the appropriate
areas for a response.
2. The three neurons involved in the response include the sensory neurons, the motor
neurons, and the relay neurons.

Sensory neurons are responsible for making a person feel things around them. They are
receptors of taste, smell, hearing, seeing, feeling pain, and other environmental changes. Any
chemical or physical input externally is experienced by these neurons.
The motor neurons are involved in movements. The two types of movements include voluntary
and involuntary. The motor neurons allow the brain and the spinal cord to communicate with a
given muscle, organ, or glands in the body. There are two types of motor neurons; the lower
and the upper motor neurons. The lower motor neurons carry signals between the spinal cord
and the muscles (Both the smooth and the skeletal muscles). The upper motor neurons carry
signals between the brain and the spinal cord.

The other type of neuron is the relay neuron. These are found as intermediates between the
sensory-motor and the sensory neurons through the spinal cord. The function of these neurons
is to carry signals from the sensory neurons to the spinal cord and back to the motor neurons
for an appropriate response. These are the neurons that enable a person to complete the
circuit to react to external stimuli.

When Chen touched the burner, the sensory nerves in his skin detected the heat. The relay
neurons carried this response to the spinal cord and the brain, resulting in the relaying of
synapses from the spinal cord. Relay neurons, in turn, carried synapses from the spinal cord to
the motor neurons that transmit the impulse to muscles causing him to pull his finger away
from the stove. The relay neurons that carried the response to the brain made him process it as
pain. In higher animals, responses are not sent to the brain for processing. This would result in a
delayed response instead of quick reflexive action.

1. The reflex system is vital because it enhances survival.

2. Congenital sensitivity to pain is a condition that prevents the perception of physical
pain. Individuals experiencing this condition do not feel pain when they are hurt. These
individuals' lack of pain makes it hard to detect health risks like wounds, bruises, and
even broken bones. The congenital insensitivity affects the peripheral nervous system,
which detects changes in the environment.
3. Some signs and symptoms of congenital sensitivity to pain include the abnormal
autonomic nervous system, anhidrosis, anosmia, and decreased ability to sweat.
4. The sodium channel Na(v)1.7 encodes the gene SCN9A located at the peripheral
neurons. However, with the congenital sensitivity to pain, there is a mutation in these
genes, hence loss of the Na(v)1.7, a condition known as the channelopathy associated
with the insensitivity to pain.
5. If Amira touched the burner, she would not have experienced pain. She would not have
pulled her finger off as Chen did.
6. A child with this condition and interested in playing sports should only do so in the care
of a care provider. I recommend frequent checkups after they have played sports to
make sure they are in perfect condition. (Nagasako, E. M., Oaklander, A. L., & Dworkin,
R. H., 2003)

Case study 3

1. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as a disabling disease that affects the brain and the
spinal cord. It is referred to as an autoimmune disease. The malfunctions in the immune
system cause it to attack the fatty substance that protects the nerve fibers.
 2. The primary cell structure affected by multiple sclerosis is the oligodendrocytes affecting
the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers called myelin.
3. Concerning Monica's condition, her symptoms check out with those of a person who has
multiple sclerosis. The signs and symptoms a person might show depend on the extent
of nerve damage and the types of damaged nerves. There is no cure for multiple
sclerosis, but Monica could be prescribed treatments that could aid recovery from
attacks she might experience in the future. Monica's condition will enable people
around her to get an insight into what she is experiencing.
4. Scientists hypothesize the cause of multiple sclerosis to be age, sex, family history,
climate, and smoking. (Syc, S., & Schiess, N, 2010)

In conclusion, case studies build a learner's confidence in real-life situations. This writing has
covered the issues dealing with congenital sensitivity to pain as well as multiple sclerosis. It is a
mind opener for people to garner information and consolidate knowledge about these
disorders.