Brain Damage from the Perspective of a Spouse Essay -- Neurology Disab

Brain Damage from the Perspective of a Spouse Depending on which area of the hypothalamus is damaged, the biological and behavioral effects differ. For example, if one were to damage the preoptic area of the hypothalamus, one would experience a â€Å"deficit in physiological mechanisms of temperature regulation,† (Kalat, 2004). From the perspective of the spouse, the subject might complain of being perpetually hot or cold regardless of environmental temperature. Sleeping in the same bed with the subject could cause problems, as they might need several blankets and/or none at all. In addition, the need to carry warm clothing on warm day might be necessary, and/or shorts or t-shirts on a cold day. Damage to the â€Å"medial preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (MPAH) or a subthalamic region that includes the caudal zona incerta,† (Maillard-Gutekunst, et. al., 1994) has been show to â€Å"eliminate mating† in rats. In other words, from the spousal perspective, damage to this area might cause a lowering – if not complete annihilation – of the subject’s sex drive. When the lateral preoptic area of the brain has a lesion, osmotic thirst, â€Å"the thirst that results from an increase in the concentration of solutes in the body,† (Kalat, 2004) is decreased. This is thought to be partly a result of cell damage and â€Å"partly to interruption of passing axons,† (Kalat, 2004). A spouse might notice that the subject drinks less, unless regularly reminded to do so. They might also hear the subject complain of highly concentrated urine and a burning sensation accompanying urination. They should also be alert to any signs of dehydration, â€Å"the physiological state in which cells lose water and metabolic ... ...d.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Kalat, J.W. (2004). Biological psychology (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Maillard-Gutenkunst, C.A., & Edwards, D.A. (1994). Preoptic and subthalamic connections with the caudal brainstem are important for copulation in the male rat. Behavioral Neuroscience, 108 (4), 758-66. Semrud-Clikeman, M. (2001). Traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents. New York: Guilford Press. Women’s Health Law Weekly (2005, February 27). U.S. Food & Drug Administration; new findings in the area of endocrinology described. Retrieved April 29, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://web.lexis- nexis.com/universe/document?_m=b7dcfb788384d6f8dfb1153c7b7444ed www.uni.edu/walsh. Biological psychology. Retrieved April 29, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.uni.edu/walsh/biolec.htm