ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lehmann K. S., Martus P., Little-Elk S., Maass H., Holmer C., Bretthauer G., Buhr
H. J., Ritz J. P. (2010). Impact of sleep deprivation on medium term psychomotor and
cognitive performance of surgeons: prospective crossover study with a virtual surgery
simulator and psychometric tests. Surgery 147, 246–25410.1016/j.surg.2009.08.007

Seventeen surgeons were watched carefully over the course of a week within there
residency. Half of them received less than 5 hours of sleep per night while the other half
received the clinically recommended amount of 8.5 hours of sleep. The activities of the
individuals were isolated, in other words, they all performed the same tasks throughout
the course of the week. The learning curve of sleep-deprived residents was not as steep,
meaning, it took longer for the for residents with sleep deprivation to master the same
skills. In addition, the number of errors performed by sleep-deprived residents was higher
and less likely to decrease to that of the controlled group.

Suzuki, W. (2018). The brain-changing effects of exercise. [image] Available at:

https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_suzuki_the_brain_changing_benefits_of_exercise/disc
ussion?language=en#t-495630 [Accessed 15 Jun. 2018].

Within this Ted Talk, Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki provides her own story, how she
conducted a study on herself. This study, through analysis of her brain structure
periodically over the course of a year, received brain rearrangement in structure,
expansion in the size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and neurogenesis;
creation of new brain cells with higher capacity and ability to communicate. The
chemicals responsible for the brain changes were in increases in dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine. The chemicals and their effects translated into increased memory
retention, higher levels of focus, productivity, and attention. The author separates benefits
into two categories, those which are short-term and those which are long term. Long-term
examples which she referenced was the ability of consistent exercise to prevent the
build-up of free radicals which, preventing diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's,
diseases which the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are most susceptible to. Her
perspective is valuable and one which represents a first-hand primary experience and also
the secondary knowledge being a neuroscientist.

Campbell, T. Colin, and Thomas M. Campbell, II. The China Study [OverDrive Downloadable
Electronic Book]: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the
Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health. 1st BenBella Books
pbk. ed. Dallas, Tex.: BenBella Books, 2006.
 The study researched the connection between dietary intake and overall health of over
8,000 individuals. The data showed correlation to deterioration and development of
neurodegenerative diseases to individuals within certain geographic areas, whose diet
within certain areas contained higher levels of plant-based protein. People with lower
incomes were had diets with. The book explored the science behind how animal-based
proteins and refined carbohydrates damage the brain. In cases of cancer patients,
increased amounts of animal proteins produced an enzyme in the bloodstream which
attributed to the process of creating cancer.

Bellesi, Michele, et al. "Sleep loss promotes astrocytic phagocytosis and microglial activation in
mouse cerebral cortex." Journal of Neuroscience 37.21 (2017): 5263-5273.

A sleep study compared the brains of mice, ones which obtained a normal amount of
sleep, and those which were severely sleep deprived. The data showed that astrocytes, a
brain cell responsible for cutting useless synapses, turned rouge and began cutting
random synapses at an increased rate of which is normal. The decrease of synapses led to
a hindered rate of communication between neurons and prevented the efficient spread of
neurotransmitters when needed. Over the course of a few weeks, the brains of the
sleep-deprived mice had actually shrunk, specifically in the hippocampus and the
prefrontal cortex. Overall, the study provides a neurocognitive perspective as to how
sleep is detrimental to our health and how it can truly affect our memory.

Green, H. (2018). The Chemical Mind. [video] Available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4N-7AlzK7s [Accessed 15 Jun. 2018].

Thi video was an overview of brain anatomy and their functions, specifically the structure
of neurons and neurotransmitters. Within the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus the
amount, size, connectivity of neurons through their synapses, determine functionality.
Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, morphine, and serotonin are able to more quickly
travel when there is an increased amount of synapsis and whilst they are closer together.

Boyd, L. (2018). After watching this, your brain will not be the same. [video] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHBMFCzznE [Accessed 15 Jun. 2018].

This Ted Talk speaker explored the definition of neuroplasticity; the brain's ability to
change. She addresses a common misconception with brain development; that the brain is
most plastic in the early ages of childhood. While this partly true, plasticity does not end
after childhood, the brain is able to change after far into adulthood. Stroke patients who
exercised at least three times a week, in comparison to those who received little to no
 exercise, recovered and even improved their cognitive abilities at a rate significantly
faster. The process of exercise, through secretion of certain neurotransmitters, encourages
brain volatility and activity leading to higher rate of recovery. THe authorś point is that
our brain structure becomes representative of our behavior.

Pinker, Steven R. “Sugar and the Brain.” Sugar and the Brain | Department of Neurobiology,
Harvard University, 20 Nov. 2017,
neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-newsletter/and-bra
in-series/sugar-and-brain.

The article overviewed the effect glucose and other forms of sugar affect the ability of
cognitive function on too little and too much sugar. The brain depends upon a steady
supply of glucose in order to provide the energy necessary for creation and transmission
of certain neurotransmitters. For example, lower levels of dopamine are secreted when an
individual has not eaten a breakfast with nutritional and macromolecular value. In
addition, the ability of the brain to perform on a diet with high sugar intake and refined a
high sugar diet as one containing ¨more than 30 grams of processed sugar “ hindered the
amount and proper type of neurotransmitters created, over stimulation which decreased
memory and attention. The effects of sugar are seen in individuals with Diabetes,
prolonged periods of high blood sugar leading to moods of volatility in emotional,
prefrontal cortex control, and memory. Atrophy, the shrinking of the brain, is seen within
the hippocampus if insulin levels continuously fail to lower blood sugar levels.

Harvard Medical School (2018). Harvard Medical Course. [image] Available at:
https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/assets/Sites/PME/files/Design%20Team%20Su
mmaries%2011.13.15%20Final.pdf [Accessed 15 Jun. 2018].

This is a chart which details the course load of a typical medical student at Harvard. This
chart helps illustrate a point my presentation and research makes; that we lack in
postsecondary education the exposure to information necessary for students to implement
knowledge of mental health into their life. How would the capacity for growth as a
medical practitioner, or of any individual in any career path, change if their health were
optimized?