All of these experiments illustrate the importance of synapses as well as their conditions; on the brain. If an ion is unable to enter/exit the cell; the polarity of the cell changes, and a proper action potential may not occur. If there is no action potential there can be no synapse; and a without that our bodies are rendered useless.
The degeneration of neurons and their dendrites, results in fewer synapses between neurons. This will ultimately have a great impact on the brain, because few messages can travel from the brain to the rest of the body. This proves that alcohol and other toxins, such as nicotine, will have dire effects on the brain. What is worse is that in developing infants, we can see the effects of alcohol or other toxins, and the effects on their brain and early development. This can be explained as well. The same process of disassembly occurs, however, in a fully grown adult, the neurons can repair themselves, and can rebuild their microtubules, but and a developing fetus however, this repair process cannot occur, therefore permanently affecting the child’s brain, and altering its development.
Many diseases may result from such effects; one being Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or, FAS. If you drink alcohol while you're pregnant, your fetus has a drink as well. This puts your baby at risk of a serious condition FAS, which is a group of birth defects. These defects are irreversible and can include physical, mental and behavioral problems. Many women these days, of all ages, tend to drink severe amounts of alcohol during their times of pregnancy. Although it might seem as if “only”a small amount of alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, that tiny amount can lead to serious damage to the child’s physical and mental ability. As women expose their bodies to alcohol, it makes sense that the developing fetus may also have a taste. Alcohol that is exposed to a premature born human being places the baby at risk of a very serious condition- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This group of birth defects is irreversible, and can lead to physical, mental, and behavioural problems.
Children born with FAS may have the following symptoms:
1. abnormal facial features
2. growth deficiencies
3. central nervous system (CNS) problems
What many people don’t realize is that this is an issue that is more common sense than anything- FAS can easily be prevented as long as the mother consumes no alcohol during her pregnancy. It is sad to know that the most tragic outcome of drinking alcohol is fetal death. However, if the child lives, it will have several symptoms of FAS. These may include:
- small for gestational age or small in stature in relation to peers;
- poor coordination;
- Dental abnormalities
- Craniofacial abnormalities - narrow eye slits, flat midface, low nasal ridge, loss of groove between nose and upper lip, small ja
- hyperactive behavior;
- learning disabilities;
- developmental disabilities (e.g., speech and language delays);
- mental retardation or low IQ;
- problems with daily living;
- poor reasoning and judgment skills;
- sleep and sucking disturbances in infancy
It is said that children with FAS are largely at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behaviour, unemployment, and incomplete education. Even though these conditions do not really develop at birth, but throughout the person’s life. It is scary to think how this all started with alcohol being introduced to neurons in our ever so complex brain. As the brain cells die off, and children are left with this terrible syndrome, it is plain to see that one thing leads to another. While some pregnant women, both teenagers and older, still make the decision to consume alcohol, it is important to let them and others be aware of this serious situation, and possibly prevent such tragedies in the future.
The understanding of synapses can help in the development of new technologies and innovations in the field of medicine. A recent example has been demonstrated by Dr.Syed, a Professor at the University Of Calgary, who has developed a "brain on a chip". Using the latest technology he has created a micro silicon chip, and placed neurons upon it. He then programmed the chip so that it may understand the conversational patterns of the cells. This is breakthrough research, and may be useful to those who have prosthetic limbs - the chip may be programmed to control the function of a missing part. Also to patients with Alzheimer disease; to help regain lost memory.
