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.
The circuits that make up the RAS are modulated by a number of chemicals in the central nervous system known as neurotransmitters. There are two groups of these chemicals; cholinergic and adrenergic. Depending on the situation, these chemicals may work synergistically or competitively. Glutamate is the cholinergic neurotransmitter involved while adrenaline is the main adrenergic neurotransmitter. The release of these transmitters results in increased wakefulness.
The mediation of sleep wake transition is undoubtedly the main function of RAS. There is a varying degree of activation depending on the depth of sleep; the deeper the sleep, the more the activation and the lighter the sleep, the less the activation. Another function is that of initiating and maintaining a state of alertness and attention whenever there is such a need. Increased blood flow to the thalamus and the midbrain during these events is evidence of this.
RAS is very important to survival. It helps in instructing the rest of the brain on what is important and what is not at any given point in time. This is very significant considering that we are faced with tons of information in our environment. These come in the form of stimuli that may be auditory, visual, tactile or gustatory. There is need to filter these and leave out the irrelevant.
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.
Taking control of your RAS will require that you train your thoughts regularly. If successfully done, one can greatly improve their leadership skills. Ensure that you always take care of your personal issues in time so as to free your thoughts. Another important skill is the creation of clear short term and long term goals.
Good leaders need to take care of their RAS. To achieve this, there is a need to have thought training regularly. One way in which this ca be achieved is to ensure that you take care of your personal issues promptly. This ensures that you are not constantly distracted. Setting of goals is also important.
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.
The circuits that make up the RAS are modulated by a number of chemicals in the central nervous system known as neurotransmitters. There are two groups of these chemicals; cholinergic and adrenergic. Depending on the situation, these chemicals may work synergistically or competitively. Glutamate is the cholinergic neurotransmitter involved while adrenaline is the main adrenergic neurotransmitter. The release of these transmitters results in increased wakefulness.
The mediation of sleep wake transition is undoubtedly the main function of RAS. There is a varying degree of activation depending on the depth of sleep; the deeper the sleep, the more the activation and the lighter the sleep, the less the activation. Another function is that of initiating and maintaining a state of alertness and attention whenever there is such a need. Increased blood flow to the thalamus and the midbrain during these events is evidence of this.
RAS is very important to survival. It helps in instructing the rest of the brain on what is important and what is not at any given point in time. This is very significant considering that we are faced with tons of information in our environment. These come in the form of stimuli that may be auditory, visual, tactile or gustatory. There is need to filter these and leave out the irrelevant.
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.
Taking control of your RAS will require that you train your thoughts regularly. If successfully done, one can greatly improve their leadership skills. Ensure that you always take care of your personal issues in time so as to free your thoughts. Another important skill is the creation of clear short term and long term goals.
Good leaders need to take care of their RAS. To achieve this, there is a need to have thought training regularly. One way in which this ca be achieved is to ensure that you take care of your personal issues promptly. This ensures that you are not constantly distracted. Setting of goals is also important.
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