trident ant100 all modules discussions latest 2017 november

Module 1 discussion

Brain Plasticity

Watch the following video about Jodie Miller, a young girl who suffered from intense epileptic seizures when she was three years old. She lost control of the left side of her body and had the right side of her brain removed to treat the seizures. Instead of completely losing control of the left side of her body (which is controlled by the right side of her brain), her left hemisphere took control.

Brain Plasticity. Discovery Channel, 2007.Accessed August 8, 2016 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2c-WHVxcfY

How would you define “neural plasticity”?

How can plasticity help us to understand why people regain intellectual functions lost by brain damage?

Based on your readings from this module about brain development, why do think Jodi was so successful at regaining lost cognitive functions after surgery ? Why is plasticity variable at different stages of life?

Another phenomena known as “phantom limbs” also involves brain plasticity. Research this phenomena and describe how neural plasticity leads to the development of this condition. [HINT: It involves the somatosensory cortex]

Module 2 discussion

Stress and Depression

Approximately 350 million people worldwide suffer from some type of depression (World Health Organization, 2016). Many famous people have been reported to struggle with clinical depression, including actor Owen Wilson, musician Kurt Cobain, and president Abraham Lincoln (NursingSchools, 2010). Depression and stress often go together. Researchers have discovered that long-term, chronic stress is linked to depression in both humans and animals (Hildebrandt, 2012).

Considering what you have learned about the stress response. Incorporate elements of the body’s response to stress when discussing your answer.

Do you think stress is ever good, useful, or necessary? Why or why not?

Our society has seen many changes over the last 50 years or so. Do you think this has had an impact on global health? What do you think is the greatest cause of stress for most people today?

Which would you choose: A stressful job with very high pay or a relaxing job with considerably low pay? Why?

Stress. (2016). World Health Organization. Accessed August 8, 2016 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/

Famous Artists & Thinkers Who Have Struggled With Depression. (2010). Accessed August 3, 2016 http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/10/50-famous-artists-thinkers-who-have-struggled-with-depression/

Hidebrandt, S.(2012). How stress can cause depression. Accessed August 3, 2016. http://sciencenordic.com/how-stress-can-cause-depression

Module 3 discussion

Stress and the Immune Response

Many studies have implicated the link between stress and impaired immune function. One such study attached below recruited 276 healthy volunteers to discuss their recent experience with stressful events. Following the interview, they were given nasal drops containing the cold virus (they were paid $800 to participate). The authors of the study hypothesized that people with high stress levels should be more likely to develop an illness compared to those under little stress. The same participants where then invited to come back later for examination and re-interview. Participants who reported experiencing chronic stressors for more than one month—especially those stressors involving work or relationships—were considerably more likely to have developed colds than the participants who reported experiencing no chronic stressors.

Cohen, S. et al. (1998). Types of Stressors That Increase Susceptibility to the Common Cold in Healthy Adults. Health Psychology, 17 (3), 214-223.

How might the finding in this article explain how people seem to become sick during stressful times in their lives (e.g, such as during final exam week)?

Now that you have some knowledge of the different research methods from your SLP assignment, what type of design do you think the authors used for their study? Do you think there were any weaknesses to their design that could have affected their results?

Review the Discussion portion of the article. The authors of this study claim health practices/behaviors (smoking, amount of exercise, diet, sleep quality) of the participants played a small role in explaining the relationship between stress and colds. Do you agree with the accuracy of their findings? Does current research support this finding? Why or why not?

Module 4 discussion

Stress and the Reproductive System

Does maternal stress have an influence on the cognitive development of the fetus? This question has intrigued researchers for many years and continues to be an area of ongoing research. Exposure of pregnant females to stress has been hypothesized to lead to many prenatal effects from fetal disorders to pregnancy failure. Studies have suggested a potential link of prenatal stress to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and autism in offspring.

A study conducted in 2009 demonstrated that prenatal maternal stress during the second trimester, as the result of exposure to a Canadian Ice storm, resulted in greater dermatoglyphic asymmetry (different dermal ridge counts) in their children. This asymmetric pattern is sometimes found in patients with schizophrenia. This finding is of particular interest as the fingerprint pattern of fetuses develops at the same time as the hippocampus in utero, and may be a physical marker for altered development of this region.

Chose one of the disorders above (ADHD, schizophrenia, or autism) and research the data on how prenatal stress may be linked to the development of this disorder in the womb. Also, address the following questions below:

How strong does the data support maternal stress and the development of your chosen disorder?

Why do you think some children seem to be affected by prenatal stress and not others?

When responding to classmates, consider the influence of other factors that may play a role for both the mother and fetus.

Glover, V., O’Conner, T. & O’Donnell, K. (2010). Prenatal stress and the programming of the HPA axis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 35, 17–22

Module 4 reflective discussion

Self-Reflection

Prepare a Reflective Essay in which you address each of the following items:

In this final Discussion, reflect on what you have learned throughout this course. Which topics and concepts in this course have been most interesting to you in learning more about how stress affects the body? Which class activities or assignments helped you learn the most? What would you like to learn more about (today, this week, this year, etc)? How can you take what you have learned about the physiology of stress and stress management and apply it to your own life?