U1AOS2.6 - Research on Neurological Disorders Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are neurological disorders?
Diseases characterized by any damage to or malfunctioning of the nervous system.
Neurological disorders impair the ability of a person’s nervous system to function effectively.
List two neurological disorders focused on in this content.
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Epilepsy
These disorders are significant in understanding the effects on the nervous system.
How was epilepsy historically understood?
As a form of possession (a spirit within the body).
This reflects the misconceptions about neurological disorders in earlier times.
Why is contemporary research important for understanding neurological disorders?
It allows for the discovery of new treatments that may be more effective, less evasive, or more accessible than past treatments.
Contemporary research also challenges existing theories, enhancing the accuracy of information.
What is machine learning?
An element of artificial intelligence that allows software to become more accurate at predicting outcomes by mimicking human learning.
It employs statistics and algorithms to classify information and make predictions.
Define supervised learning.
Involves using labelled data to train algorithms on how to classify or predict outcomes.
An example includes presenting algorithms with images of typical brains and Parkinson’s affected brains.
What is the primary use of supervised learning in the context of neurological disorders?
To diagnose neurological disorders by detecting disease stages.
This method improves the accuracy of diagnoses.
What does unsupervised learning do?
Uses an algorithm to identify patterns or trends in undiscovered data.
For instance, it may analyze demographic data of epilepsy patients to uncover susceptibility trends.
What is the gut-brain axis?
The bidirectional relationship between the gut and the brain.
This relationship highlights how the brain and gut can influence each other.
How can the gut influence the brain?
Based on psychological and physical stressors.
An imbalance in gut microbiota can lead to nervous system disorders.
Fill in the blank: The gut microbiota, if imbalanced, can lead to _______.
[nervous system disorders].
This underscores the importance of gut health in maintaining neurological function.
