ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Does Lesion Location Influence Post Stroke Depression

Abstract

The research looks to find out the impact a lesion or chemical induction has on the hippocampus and its ability to learn. All forms of stroke, Ischemic, Hemorrhagic and Transient Ischemic, can be followed by a heart attack due to blockage of arteries. Paralysis can be one of the biggest consequences of a stroke. The proposed experiment for this purpose is the Morris Water Maze test which would help us in finding out the effects of lesion on the hippocampus. The rats used for this experiment would be induced with a dose of scopolamine that would hamper their normal ability to learn and memorization. Depression levels are generally at their highest during the initial months after the stroke. These levels of depression in patients tend to decrease through treatment. The rats would then be set into a tub and made to search for a platform submerged under water. The physiological effects of the administered drug scopolamine include changes in blood pressure and increased heart beat rate. The mice used as subjects in the experiment showed symptoms of drowsiness, calmness, and slower mental processing due to lesion. The effects of the drug, scopolamine, have also shown to have significant impact on the cognitive abilities of the subjects. The test would also enable us to find out whether the hippocampus controls the function of learning stated in Sutherland's theory of differential association.

Table of Contents

Abstracti

Introduction1

Background2

Post -Stroke Depression2

Past Researches4

PSD Rehab5

Disabilities Caused by Stroke5

Objectives5

Hypothesis5

Research Method and Design6

Expected Results10

Conclusion10

Does Lesion Location Influence Post Stroke Depression

Introduction

A stroke is typically defined as the damage to brain cells caused by lack of oxygen in the brain. Also known as cerebrovascular accident, a stroke causes the brain cells to die. A stroke can also result in blockage of arteries that supply blood to the brain. This blockage can be in the form of contraction of arteries. Blockage of one arteriole can cause infract. A stroke can also harden arteries linked to the brain. The narrowed arteries can produce fragments that block the supply of blood to the brain. This blockage can cause symptoms of a stroke. If an artery ruptures it can result in a cerebral hemorrhage which causes bleeding within the brain.

A stroke can be a result of high levels of cholesterol in the body, hypertension, smoking or diabetes. Age is also a factor and can be a cause of a stroke as well. A stroke occurs in people with the fore-mentioned diseases or heart problems. Recent studies show the occurrence of stroke in persons in a young age compared to the common age of 40- 45 years. Stroke in patients of age below 30 is attributed to the use of drugs such as cocaine and MDMA. Due to the usage of such illegal narcotics, stroke in young individuals have risen sharply. It has also raised the possibility of stroke during old age if one does not suffer a stroke in their ...