Grid-Computing Project
Within our evolution class, we are doing a service learning project through the use of grid-computing. We are making an effort to understand neural disorders through research, through insightful questions, and by conducting an interview of an expert in the neurological field.
About Grid Computing
Grid computing is a cheap and simple way to use thousands of computers to work together to produce molecular simulations for biomedical research in the areas of HIV or cancer, to name a few (1). Data and resources from each computer are combined to produce a supercomputer. If the resources are shared across many computers, the job can be done more efficiently (2).
Normally a computer has a maximum limit
for how much of its resources it can use, but within grid computing, it can
share resources from other participating computers (2). To
achieve this sharing, there needs to be one computer (often a server) that handles all
the administrative duties, a network of computers running the grid computing
software, and software called middleware—which allows for communication among
the computers that are part of the grid computing system. Computers within
the supercomputer have to have interoperability as well. This allows for
computers with different networks, such as PCs and Macs, to continue to operate
successfully together even though different operating systems are being used
(2). Even if interoperability exists, without a service, computers cannot
interact with each other over a shared network (2).
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| Grid Computing Diagram |
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| Our actual grid computing screen when mapping cancer marker work is being run |
About Neural Disorders
Neural disorders (also called neurological disorders) are classified as any disorder of the nervous system. This can include abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord, or other nerves in the body.
Some interesting facts about the brain, including facts about neurological disorders can be found at http://facts.randomhistory.com/human-brain-Facts.html. Several are listed below:
Another interesting fact is that dogs can have neural disorders as well. For example, the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel can develop syringomyelia. More information about this disorder can be found in a video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp_XFlNdHzY
Examples of Neural Disorders
Alzheimer’s Disease:
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that involves memory loss, thinking skills, and behavior. It progressively worsens over time and currently has no cure. “Scientists believe Alzheimer's disease prevents parts of a cell's factory from running well. They are not sure where the trouble starts. But just like a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain.” (3) This disease can be devastating to those diagnosed with it, as well as close friends and family. Those affected are generally older people, aged 65 and up. However, early onset Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed as early as 40s or 50s.
Huntington’s Disease:
Huntington’s Disease is a hereditary disease that causes the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This can interfere with a person’s ability to walk, talk, or think. Such symptoms as involuntary movements of the head, trunk, and limbs occur, as well as loss of concentration and memory. One’s capability of walking, talking, or even swallowing will diminish over time and eventually the person will lose total ability to care for his or her own self. Fatalities from the disease usually occur from complications like choking, infection, or heart failure. It’s devastating to those diagnosed, as well as those close to them because there is currently no cure and only one treatment for a symptom of the disease.
Schizencephaly:
Schizencephaly is an extremely rare birth defect that involves slits or clefts in the hemispheres of the brain. The slits can be on one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides. Unilateral clefts often result in one side of the body being paralyzed but the individual will still have average intelligence, while bilateral individuals often have difficulty with delays in speech and language skills, as well as with brain to spinal cord communication. Most experience seizures, as well as abnormally small heads, mental retardation, paralysis, or poor muscle tone. There is currently no cure for this disease but treatment includes physical therapy and drugs to help prevent seizures.
Interesting Facts
- "A mother’s illness may severely affect fetal brain cells; studies suggest that influenza or malnutrition during pregnancy may be associated with the development of schizophrenia. Damage to developing cells may also occur from maternal smoking and drinking, prenatal exposure to chemicals, or excess heat.
- Scientists claim that the most complicated and mysterious thing in the universe is the human brain. Scientists know more about stars exploding billions of light years away than they know about the brain.
- Researchers at Baylor University have found that children deprived of touch, play, and interaction with others have brains 20-30% smaller than normal for their age. Child abuse can inhibit brain development in a child and permanently negatively affect brain development.
- While general vocabulary and knowledge about the world often stays sharp through one’s 70s, memory for names begins to decline as early as age 35. The ability to recognize faces and find one’s car has already begun to wane by the 20s. However, research shows that brain stimulation not only stops cells from shrinking, but it can also increase brain cell and dendrite branching.
- Neurological complications occur in at least 70% of patients who are diagnosed with AIDS. At autopsy, 80-90% have neurological abnormalities.
- Humans have more brain cells at the age of two than at any other time of their lives.
- Swiss researchers have discovered that certain types of brain lesions lead average eaters to become addicted to thinking about and eating gourmet foods.
- Research shows that those who are clinically depressed or suicidal have abnormal levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. Flaws in the brain’s serotonin levels have been linked to violent suicide attempts and aggression.
- When a person diets or deprives himself of food, the neurons in the brain that induce hunger start eating themselves. This “cannibalism” sparks a hunger signal to prompt eating.
- Scientists note that children with autism have normal-sized brains at birth, but at some point—usually at the end of the first year of life—a part of the brain called the amygdala grows on average 13% larger than in non-autistic children."
