Neurophysiology is what? Fundamentals of Neurophysiology

Neurophysiology is a division of physiology that deals with the study of the functions of the nervous system and neurons, which are its main structural units. It is closely connected with psychology, ethology, neuroanatomy, and with many other sciences that study the brain. However, this is a general definition. It is worthwhile to expand it and pay attention to other aspects related to this topic. And there are many of them.

A bit of history

It was in the 17th century that the first ideas about such a (not yet existing) scientific section as neurophysiology were put forward. Its development could not have been, had it not been for the accumulation of information about the histological and anatomical structure of the nervous system. Experiments to study a new medical section began in the XIX century - before that there were only theories. The first of which put forward R. Descartes.

True, initially the experiments were not particularly humane. The first thing the scientist (C. Bell and F. Magendi) was able to find out that after cutting the posterior spinal roots, sensitivity is lost. And if you do the same with the front ones, the ability to move disappears.

But the most famous neurophysiological experiment (which, by the way, is known to each of us) was conducted by IP Pavlov. It was he who discovered conditioned reflexes, which gave access to an objective record of those nervous processes that occur in the cerebral cortex. All this is neurophysiology. The higher nervous activity, which was the subject of discussion, was determined in the course of experiments conducted within the framework of this medical section.

Modern research

In neurophysiology, in contrast to neurology, neurobiology and all other sciences with which it has a connection, there is one difference. And it consists in the following: this section deals directly with the theoretical development of the entire neurology as a whole.

In our time, science, like medicine, has moved very far. And at the present stage, all the functions of neurophysiology are built on the study and understanding of the integrative activity of our nervous system. What happens with implanted and surface electrodes, as well as temperature stimuli of the central nervous system.

At the same time, the development of the study of cellular mechanisms continues - it also implies the use of modern microelectrode technology. This is quite a complicated and painstaking process, because in order to start the study, it is necessary to "implant" the microelectrode inside the neuron. This is the only way for them to receive information concerning the development of inhibition and excitation.

Electron microscopy

It is also used by scientists in our time. Electron microscopy makes it possible to study how exactly information is encoded and transmitted in our brain. The fundamentals of neurophysiology have been studied, and thanks to modern technologies, there are already whole centers in which scientists model individual neural networks and neurons. Accordingly, today neurophysiology is also a science related to cybernetics, chemistry and bionics. And progress is obvious - in our days the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke and motor system disorders are a reality.

Clinical experiments

Neurophysiology of the human brain (both head and spinal) examines its specific functions by means of electrophysiological methods of measurement. The experimental process - only due to external influences, it is possible to achieve the appearance of evoked potentials. These are bioelectric signals.

This method makes it possible to obtain information about the functional state of the brain and the activities of its deep divisions, and they can not even be introduced. To date, this method is widely used by clinical neurophysiology. The goal is to find out information about the state of various sensory systems, such as touch, hearing, vision. In this case, both peripheral nerves and central nerves are examined.

The use of this method is obvious. Doctors receive objective information directly from the body. There is no need to question the patient. What is especially good in the case of young children or people with impaired consciousness, who because of their age or condition can not express feelings with words.

Surgery

Attention is worth noting this topic. There is such a thing as surgical neurophysiology. This, in other words, is an "applied" sphere. It is practiced by surgeons-neurophysiologists who, right during the operation, observe how the nervous system of their patient functions. This process, most often, is accompanied by an electrophysiological study of certain sections of the central nervous system operated. This, incidentally, has to do with a vast clinical discipline, called neuromonitoring.

Method of evoked potentials

It is worth discussing it in more detail. Neurophysiology is a discipline that helps to find out a lot of important information that can contribute to the patient's treatment. And the method of evoked potentials is applied to visual, acoustic, auditory, somatosensory and transcranial functions.

Its essence consists in the following: the doctor allocates and averages the weakest potentials of bioelectric brain activity, which is a response to afferent stimuli. The technique is reliable, because it implies the use of a single algorithm of interpretation.

Thanks to such studies, it is possible to identify neurological disorders of various degrees in the patient, as well as disorders that have affected the sensorimotor cortex of the brain, the retinal pathways, the function of hearing, etc. Moreover, the possibility to calculate the effect of anesthesia on the human body has become real. Now, with the help of this method, it is possible to evaluate to whom, to predict its development and to calculate the probable brain death.

Specialization

Doctors-neurophysiologists are not only physicians, but also analysts. Through various studies, a specialist can determine how much the CNS is affected. This gives the way to establishing an accurate diagnosis and the appointment of competent, correct treatment.

Take, for example, the usual headache - it can be a consequence of vascular spasms and increased intracranial pressure. But often this is still a symptom of a developing tumor or even a convulsive syndrome. Fortunately, in our time there are several methods by which doctors find out what exactly is happening to the patient. About them you can tell at last.

Types of research

So, the first is EEG, or rheoencephalography, as doctors call it. Through EEG, epilepsy, tumors, trauma, inflammatory and vascular diseases of the brain are diagnosed. Indications for rheoencephalography are seizures, convulsions, conversations and wanderings during sleep, as well as recent poisoning poisoning. EEG is the only study that can be done, even if the patient is unconscious.

REG (electroencephalography) helps to identify the causes of vascular pathologies of the brain. Thanks to this study it turns out to study cerebral blood flow. The study is carried out by passing through the brain tissue a weak high-frequency current. Recommended for high or low blood pressure and migraines. The procedure is painless and safe.

ENMG is the last popular study. This is electroneuromyography, due to which the lesions affecting the neuromotor peripheral apparatus are investigated. The indications are myosthenia, myotonia, osteochondrosis, as well as degenerative, toxic and inflammatory diseases.