Why is it so easy to injure a brain? Part 2

March 14, 2023

Why is it so easy to injure a brain? Part 2

Neurons are microscopic, gangly, and FRAGILE. Without the elaborate “insulation” provided by glial cells, neurons are brittle and become tangled. Unfortunately, glial cells are susceptible to damage from stress hormones, especially cortisol which can corrode glia like battery acid.

In addition to the fragility of the neuron, the layout of the neurons in relationship to each other can provide a challenge. A synapse is the space between a synaptic knob of the axon terminal and a dendrite of the next neuron. It is over this space that neurotransmitters move from one neuron to another. In order for a synapse to facilitate the transfer of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic knob to the postsynaptic receptor site, the distance must be between 20 and 40 nanometers. It’s a little like electrical wires – too close and they short out; too far and the “signal” can’t reach.

20 to 40 sounded pretty wide to me until I investigated what a nanometer is. If you printed this page out on a standard piece of paper, picked that paper up with your thumb on one side of the page and your forefinger on the other, the distance between your thumb and finger would be approximately 100,000 nanometers. So, 20 to 40 doesn’t give us much wiggle room.

In the last post, we’ve established how the force of a blow to the head or whiplash can cause the brain to move within the skull, a lot like a water balloon. That shapeshifting certainly challenges the synaptic connections between neurons. Fortunately, in the case of low level impact, redundancy of circuitry generally allows us to keep functioning.

Background info,

#brain injuries, #TBIs, axons, dendrites, nanometers, Neurons, neurotransmitters, synapses

Posted by:

Kayle Sandberg-Lewis, LMT, MA, BCN-Fellow

I have a master’s degree in Behavioral Medicine – an interdisciplinary concentration combining Health Psychology, Psychophysiology, Learning Theory and Curriculum Design. What it boils down to is the study of how our health is affected by our behavior and how to help people learn to modify that behavior to live healthier lives. Most of my work centers on maximizing brain performance through the use of applied psychophysiology including a variety of forms of neurofeedback or brainwave training. I’ve worked extensively with people of all ages, many of whom have had brain injuries. While there have been tremendous gains in understanding the brain, most lay people don’t understand the effects of neurological injuries. My goal in creating this blog is to share my insights from my education, people I have worked with, and my own experience because I too have experienced brain injuries.

disclaimer

This is a work of non-fiction depicting actual events in the life of the author, presented as truthfully as recollection permits. In order to protect the privacy of the very real people involved, names and other identifying characteristics have often been changed.

Information regarding health represents the opinions of the author and are not intended as medical advice. Consult your health care provider for individualized care.

My Life in Brain Injuries