Nebraska DRE Newsletter

"The Nebraska DRE"

News for Drug Recognition Experts

Volume 1-98 January, 1998

Brain Functions

Most individuals picture the human brain as a soft white-grayish-light pink, rumpled organ where information is stored. DRE officers understand that it is much more then that. The brain, spinal cord and nerves (Nervous System) keep us informed of changes in the environment by enabling sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. The nervous system also controls logical thinking, memory and emotions.

In prehistoric times the brain was little more then a clump of cells called ganglia. In order for the brain, and life, to survive it had to adapt and evolve. Modern humans now actually have three brains in one. Each of these "control centers" has their own assignments. Lets investigate the brain and acquire a better understanding of what each part does.

The Brain Stem

The brain stem is actually an extension of the spinal cord. The technical, or medical term for the brain stem is the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata governs the pulse, respiration, digestion and other involuntary (autonomic) functions. In other words, a persons life-support systems.

The brain stem is surrounded by the limbic system. At one time Neurologist, and others, called it the "smell brain" because of its direct connections to the odor and taste receptors. Research has shown that it also performs numerous other functions, including memory storage.

The limbic system consists of the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala.

The pituitary gland directs the discharge of hormones.
The pineal gland is responsible for the pace of growth and maturity.
The thalamus regulates and arranges messages received from the senses.
The hypothalamus controls body temperature and stores emotions. It regulates blood pressure, hunger and thirst. It is also the source of sexual feelings.
The hippocampus structures and stores new memories.
The amygdala influences either angry aggression or submissiveness, depending on the circumstances and the area affected.

Drugs used for their "mood-altering" qualities affect the areas of the limbic system.

The Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located behind the brain stem in the back of the skull. This area of the brain coordinates the contractions of the muscles. Body movement, posture and equilibrium are housed in the cerebellum. It assists in the performance of accurate and precise movements.

When a basketball player dribbles the ball, or a Nebraska Cornhusker running back hits a hole at the line of scrimmage, it is the cerebellum that shifts the muscles into automatic pilot. Through practice and repetition it gets better.

The Cerebrum

The newest and largest of the three brains is the cerebrum. It may be refereed to as the "upper brain," "forebrain," or more commonly as the "new brain." The cerebrum is about 85 percent of the brain's total mass and is divided into two hemispheres. When humankind refer to the "left brain" and the "right brain," it is speaking of the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.

The cerebrum allows us to reason and solve problems. It makes decisions by comparing new information with knowledge already housed inside. It allows an individual to read this article by giving them the ability to understand symbols. The intellect, memory and language skills are all stored in the cerebrum.

Brain Particulars

The brain has about 100 billion neurons.
The brain is only 2% of the total body weight, but uses 20% of the body's energy.
Signals in the brain travel through trillions of neural connections.
Messages in the brain travel at about to 250 miles per hour.
The brain of a 6-month old is already about 50% its adult weight.
Human brains are getting larger. They weigh about a half pound more than 100 years ago.

Drugs, Alcohol Associated with 80% of U.S. Incarcerations

A study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse indicates that eighty percent of people behind bars were involved with alcohol or other drugs at the times of their crimes.

The three-year study, released Jan. 8th, found that 1.4 million of the 1.7 million people confined in jails and prisons committed illegalities while they were high, stole property to purchase drugs, have a background of drug or alcohol abuse or are confined for violating drug or alcohol laws.

The role of alcohol abuse in violence was surprising to some. Twenty-one percent of the prisoners serving time for crimes such as murder, rape, assault and spousal or child abuse were under the influence of alcohol at the time the crime was committed.

Eighty one percent of the prisoners with five or more convictions were habitual drug users while forty one percent of the first time offenders used drugs regularly.