Have you ever wondered why you continue breathing even when you are in very deep sleep? This is a question that, until a couple of decades ago, had troubled researchers all over the world. After conducting numerous experiments on mammals such as cats and rats, many mysteries related to sleep have been solved. The sleep wake cycle, present in virtually all mammals, is controlled by a number of structures and systems in the brain. The reticular activating system (RAS) is one of the most significant.
Most of the knowledge we have today regarding the RAS was discovered in 1949 by curious researchers. It has been shown that this system is built around two vital structures in the brains of mammals, the thalamus and the brain stem. There are a number of nuclei located in both the thalamus and the brain stem. Reticular fibres connect these nuclei forming a reticular pattern hence the name. Injury to this area causes somnolence and lethargy.
Connections within the RAS communicate by way of various chemicals. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters and two main categories exist; cholinergic and adrenergic. It is common for these two types of chemicals to work in synergy or competition depending on the desired physiological response. The main cholinergic neurotransmitter is glutamate and the main adrenergic one is adrenaline.
Facilitating the sleep wake transition is thought to be the main role of RAS. The degree of activation is determined by the depth of sleep from which one has to wake up from; the deeper the sleep the greater the degree of activation and vice versa. Another important role is that of mediating increased levels of attention whenever such a need arises.
RAS plays a key role in survival. When we are faced with large tons of sensory information, there is a need filter these information into the relevant and irrelevant. This information comes in varying sensory modalities including visual, auditory, tactile or gustatory. The brain is instructed to respond to only the important stimuli immediately and the irrelevant later.
A number of factors have been shown to hinder the development of this system. Preterm birth is a risk factor to a compromised RAS. A significant number of children born before their time have problems remaining alert and awake for a long period in their development. Smoking during pregnancy has also been shown to be a risk factor and is said to abnormally increase arousal.
There are a number of diseases that are now known to be associated with a disorder of RAS. Most are due to a reduction in the reactivity of the system. This often happens with advancing age and may predispose affected persons to a variety of illnesses. Examples of diseases falling in this category include, among others, attention deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and narcolepsy.
As a leader, one needs to always be in control of their RAS. This can be achieved by undergoing regular thought training. Taking care of personal issues in timely issues helps free up your mind. It is also very important that you have properly planned short term and long term goals.
Most of the knowledge we have today regarding the RAS was discovered in 1949 by curious researchers. It has been shown that this system is built around two vital structures in the brains of mammals, the thalamus and the brain stem. There are a number of nuclei located in both the thalamus and the brain stem. Reticular fibres connect these nuclei forming a reticular pattern hence the name. Injury to this area causes somnolence and lethargy.
Connections within the RAS communicate by way of various chemicals. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters and two main categories exist; cholinergic and adrenergic. It is common for these two types of chemicals to work in synergy or competition depending on the desired physiological response. The main cholinergic neurotransmitter is glutamate and the main adrenergic one is adrenaline.
Facilitating the sleep wake transition is thought to be the main role of RAS. The degree of activation is determined by the depth of sleep from which one has to wake up from; the deeper the sleep the greater the degree of activation and vice versa. Another important role is that of mediating increased levels of attention whenever such a need arises.
RAS plays a key role in survival. When we are faced with large tons of sensory information, there is a need filter these information into the relevant and irrelevant. This information comes in varying sensory modalities including visual, auditory, tactile or gustatory. The brain is instructed to respond to only the important stimuli immediately and the irrelevant later.
A number of factors have been shown to hinder the development of this system. Preterm birth is a risk factor to a compromised RAS. A significant number of children born before their time have problems remaining alert and awake for a long period in their development. Smoking during pregnancy has also been shown to be a risk factor and is said to abnormally increase arousal.
There are a number of diseases that are now known to be associated with a disorder of RAS. Most are due to a reduction in the reactivity of the system. This often happens with advancing age and may predispose affected persons to a variety of illnesses. Examples of diseases falling in this category include, among others, attention deficit disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and narcolepsy.
As a leader, one needs to always be in control of their RAS. This can be achieved by undergoing regular thought training. Taking care of personal issues in timely issues helps free up your mind. It is also very important that you have properly planned short term and long term goals.
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