Dr. Curtis Cripe: How is Reality Constructed?

Dr. Curtis Cripe Explains the Perceptual Process

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Seeing a plant and recognizing it compared to other objects may seem simple, but it is a complex phenomenon that continues to fascinate scientists. Some experts in neuroscience believe that the brain is responsible for constructing our reality and that what we perceive as real is a type of "hallucination." However, according to Dr. Curtis Cripe, this hallucination is accurate thanks to input from our senses, particularly sight, and hearing. In other words, our brains can take in information from the environment around us and create a coherent image of our world. It's truly a remarkable feat that we often take for granted.

Perception begins with a distal stimulus – a physical object in the environment, for example, an orange. The sensory receptors receive information about the orange via different types of environmental energy, representing the distal stimulus. The nervous system transforms environmental and physical energy into electrical energy. For example, receptors in the retina transform the light from the object into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted from one neuron to another and are processed, notes Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group.

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From this, perception occurs. A split second after perception, recognition takes place. Finally, we place the perceived object in a category. For example, we perceived an orange, which is a fruit. The way we process incoming sensory information is called "bottom-up processing." In addition, our existing memories, knowledge, and assumptions can influence perception and recognition. Neuroscientists call this "top-down processing."

Our perception shapes our entire reality. Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that our brain constantly searches for the best interpretation of the stimuli. We use our past experiences to construct what we believe we see or hear. Our brain creates an accurate model of our environment, refined by sight and hearing. In other words, what we perceive as reality is how our brain interprets the world. Everything we experience is shaped by our perception, which is why it's so important that we understand how it works. By utilizing our past experiences, we can construct a cohesive understanding of the world around us. Whether looking at an object or hearing a sound, our perception plays a crucial role in shaping our reality.

Dr. Curtis Cripe serves as the director of NTL Group's research and development division. For more information, click on this link.

Dr. Curtis Cripe: How Food Sensitivities Impact Cognitive Function

The hidden effects of food allergies

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Food allergies are becoming more common. Within the United States, 10% of the population identifies with some type of food allergy including eggs, peanuts, dairy, or wheat.

In some cases, the symptoms of food allergies can be severe and life-threatening, while other people suffer mild symptoms like itching or swelling. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, the effects of food allergies can also be hidden. It’s what experts call asymptomatic food sensitivities. You even be eating foods that are good for the brain like eggs or nuts without realizing that you have a sensitivity to those foods which are triggering your body’s natural immune response.

Child Development In addition to the physical symptoms of food allergies, the presence of these sensitivities present difficulties in the social and emotional development of children. Some of the more obvious concerns involve the stress it places on children when they have had severe allergic reactions and must avoid those dangerous foods. It can put a strain on social relationship as the children aren’t able to participate in some activities, such as trick-or-treating, or may experience bullying in regards to their food allergies.

Cognitive Symptoms Dr. Curtis Cripe is also concerned about the hidden effects food allergens can have on the brain. He pointed to a recent study involving the long-term consumption of allergens, which found that eating the identified foods led to brain inflammation and neuronal damage, even when there were no outward signs of an allergic response.

These are important findings when we consider the approved treatment of allergens in which patients are given small doses of the allergen to develop a tolerance. While this may reduce severe reactions, it appears that the brain continues to be impacted.

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Even without physical symptoms of food allergies, these sensitivities can lead to emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. From a cognitive perspective, food allergies can motor and learning deficits.

Treatment Dr. Curtis Cripe pointed out that when a person with food sensitivities eats those foods, it triggers an immune response. One of the common symptoms is brain fog, or that fuzzy feeling when you can’t quite think clearly. If this state of irritation to the brain persists over time, the brain establishes a new “set point” a this lower level of functioning.

Under the supervision of a physician or naturopath, patients may use a strict elimination diet to identify the problem foods. For more hidden sensitivities that are affecting the brain, the patient may need blood tests.

In addition to dietary adjustments, Dr. Curtis Cripe recommends targeted exercises to strengthen and optimize brain function as the body heals. With the NeuroCodex evaluation, Dr. Curtis Cripe is able to monitor when the brain has returned to its peak performance.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He specializes in developing brain-based technologies for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. More on Dr. Cripe here.

Trauma and the Brain

 

How brain systems respond to traumatic events

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In most cases, people who experience a traumatic event are able to process the situation and move forward. Other times, the brain seems to work against us with symptoms of anxiety, hypervigilance, flashbacks, or insomnia after the event. These symptoms can persist for years, and sometimes for a lifetime.

Approximately 7.8% of the population will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Curtis Cripe looks at symptoms of PTSD from the perspective of the way brain networks interact. With advances in neuroimaging techniques, researchers have been able to study and identify how the brain structures change with PTSD. Dr. Curtis Cripe pointed out that the three areas of the brain involved with PTSD include the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus. Based on neuroimaging studies, we can see that each of these brain regions are impacted in people experiencing PTSD. As these three key brain regions interact, the symptoms of PTSD develop.

Amygdala

PTSD is commonly linked to high activity in the amygdala. This is a structure in the brain that is involved with fear circuitry and the fight-flight-freeze response. In people experiencing symptoms of PTSD, Dr. Curtis Cripe noted that the amygdala goes into over-drive. It's as if this region gets stuck.

In people with PTSD, the amygdala shows a heightened, or exaggerated response to emotional input. Sometimes this may be a trauma-related stimulus, like the sound of fireworks for a combat veteran. Other times, the stimulus may be unrelated to the person's trauma experience. For people dealing with PTSD, they know the constant fear and hypervigilance that results from these exaggerated response in the amygdala.

Hippocampus

When looking further at brain imaging studies, Dr. Curtis Cripe sees reduced activity in the hippocampus. This is the region of the brain involved with placing context around fear conditioning, as well as creating memories of experiences and facts (explicit memory).

Following a traumatic event, long-term exposure to stress hormones causes cell damage in the hippocampus. As a result, the hippocampus loses volume and becomes smaller. This structural change in the brain is due to PTSD.

The hippocampus interacts directly with the amygdala to form emotional memories. As the amygdala becomes hyper-active, it exaggerates the fear response. The hippocampus becomes hypo-active, and fails to create context for emotional information. This imbalance creates an interaction between brain systems where symptoms of PTSD emerge.

Prefrontal Cortex

People who have been diagnosed with PTSD consistently show low activity in the prefrontal cortex. This brain region is involved in important cognitive functions. When looking at PTSD, the prefrontal cortex works to regulate and make sense of emotional information. This is the area of the brain that would process and extinguish learned fear conditioning.

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The amygdala is creating an exaggerated response to emotional triggers. It doesn't have the context and facts that the hippocampus would normally provide. At the same time, Dr. Curtis Cripe points out that the prefrontal cortex fails to moderate and extinguish unnecessary fear responses.

The Solution

Dr. Curtis Cripe points out that the solution is strengthening and rebalancing these key brain regions. Through targeted interventions, he is able to track progress and bring the brain back online to work in a more healthy way to respond appropriately to external input. As the brain reaches that balance, the amygdala and hippocampus are able to take in experiences and create meaningful context to understand emotional information. The prefrontal cortex is able to process those emotional memories and make decisions about when a response is no longer needed.

Dr. Curtis Cripe, Ph.D. is the director of research and development at NTL Group, Inc. F or more information on his neuroengineering approach to improving brain function with PTSD, click here.

Dr. Curtis Cripe Lists Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dr. Curtis Cripe: Brain and Nervous System Dangers

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NTL Group's Dr. Curtis Cripe has shared his insights and knowledge in science and research. He has given lectures, taught classes, and written about his work in hopes of letting readers everywhere know about our brains and beyond.

Dr. Curtis Cripe takes us on an informative journey into the world of neurodegenerative diseases. From Parkinson's disease to Alzheimer's and Huntington's, Dr. Curtis Cripe sheds light on these debilitating conditions and their effects on the brain and body. Along the way, he provides a wealth of knowledge, educating us on the science behind these diseases and the current treatments and research efforts to find a cure.

Neurodegenerative diseases are described as chronic progressive conditions that result in the deterioration and, ultimately, the death of nerve cells in the brain. They also affect the nerve cells in the other parts of the nervous system.

These conditions lead to declining cognitive function, mobility, and other abilities. Unfortunately, these diseases are incurable and often result in death.

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There are several neurodegenerative diseases. The most well-known ones are Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease are also examples of neurodegenerative diseases. That said, each type of neurodegenerative disease has unique symptoms with different progression paths.

As mentioned, Alzheimer's disease or Alzheimer's is the most common type of this disease. Millions of people around the world have Alzheimer's. It is also the leading cause of dementia. Parkinson's disease is the second most common, with about a million people in the U.S. alone affected by it. Parkinson's is also the leading cause of disability in older adults.

Dr. Curtis Cripe notes that treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. While every person will require a tailored approach to treatment, it's comforting to know that medical institutions are constantly researching and developing new methods to help those afflicted. It's crucial to remember that even small steps towards management can make a difference in someone's quality of life.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., heads the research and development of neuroengineering services of NTL Group. For more blogs on related topics, click here.

Dr. Curtis Cripe: The Reticular System Report

Dr. Curtis Cripe Details the Brain's Reticular System

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According to Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group, the reticular system of the brain is a network of interconnected neurons that stretches from the medulla oblongata to the thalamus. It regulates many vital functions. These include wakefulness, attention, and motor control.

The reticular system is divided into two main areas. The first area is the ascending reticular activating system or ARAS. The second area is the descending reticular inhibiting system or DIRS. The ARAS promotes wakefulness and alertness, while the DIRS regulates sleep and relaxation.

The reticular system plays a key role in the brain's reward system. Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that it is responsible for releasing dopamine. Dopamine is a known neurotransmitter that is connected to pleasure and motivation. The dopamine release in the reward system makes eating, sex, and exercise pleasurable.

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Dopamine, the neurotransmitter that drives us to achieve our goals and rewards behavior with pleasure, is a key player in substance abuse. It explains why certain drugs like cocaine and heroin can produce euphoria by overstimulating dopamine circuits in the brain; however, these intense feelings come at an immense cost beyond just physical health.

The reticular system is also heavily involved in learning and memory. It is necessary for creating and forming new memories. It also helps with the consolidation of old ones.

This system is not without its issues, though. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, common problems include sleep disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and addiction. Treatment for these conditions often aims to correct the underlying imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters.

Specialists who research the reticular system are called neuroscientists. They use specialized tools and techniques to study the brain. These include positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Dr. Curtis Cripe adds that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is also used. NTL Group uses QEEG for evaluating the brain’s function under cognitive load.

Neuroscientists are constantly working to better understand the brain's many complex functions. By studying the reticular system, they hope to develop better treatments for conditions that affect the brain.

Learn more about NTL Group's research and development head Dr. Curtis Cripe and the work he does by clicking this link.

Dr. Curtis Cripe: Important Facts About Alzheimer's

Dr. Curtis Cripe Offers and Overview of Alzheimer's

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Alzheimer's is a ravaging and progressive neurological disorder, slowly eroding an individual's ability to think, remember faces or words, and communicate effectively with those around them – often leaving loved ones floundering. Even though it is the most common form of dementia affecting millions worldwide today, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of how this tragic condition impacts individuals on multiple levels. Such knowledge could pave the way for us to develop better methods for mitigating its effects and improving the quality of life for countless people worldwide.

Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group has devoted his professional career to helping those affected by Alzheimer's, noting several observations and working with supportive individuals and dedicated professionals in this field. His work is a testament to how much he cares for those with dementia-related conditions.

First, Dr. Curtis Cripe says that the reason for many misconceptions about Alzheimer's is the most inaccurate portrayal of Alzheimer's in pop culture and media.

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Alzheimer's Disease has been portrayed in an overly romanticized light by the media, but there is much more to it than what is seen on television. Behind each diagnosis and story lies a unique struggle experienced by people with this condition and their caregivers. It's time we take a closer look at understanding and supporting those who battle Alzheimer's every day.

For a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's, Dr. Curtis Cripe suggests that people look away from pop culture and media. Instead, they should listen to healthcare professionals, friends, and family members of Alzheimer's patients.

Alzheimer's is an ever-advancing condition requiring ongoing readjustment for those at the forefront of its care. As it progresses, supporting a person with this neurodegenerative disorder requires more effort than many may expect; but what better reward could there be than becoming part of such an important journey? Dr. Curtis Cripe also points out that Alzheimer's goes beyond memory loss.

People with Alzheimer's also experience conditions ranging from impaired communication and mood swings to overall lethargy and altered behavior. These are extremely detrimental to an Alzheimer's patient's everyday life, so they need as much help as possible.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the director of the NTL Group research and development team. For more information, click on this link.

Dr. Curtis Cripe on Developmental Speech Delays

Dr. Curtis Cripe Talks About Developmental Speech Delays

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Speech delay can be a real challenge for children and their families, but understanding the possible causes is key. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe from NTL Group, it could stem from oral or hearing issues; or, in some cases, an autism spectrum disorder. Working with your child's healthcare provider early on should help identify any underlying factors affecting speech development.

Every parent has an incredibly powerful role in their child's communication development. Taking proactive steps like monitoring progress can ensure that children reach their full potential in speech.

Parents can play a major role in cultivating their child's speech development by creating an interactional atmosphere that encourages expression. From reading stories and playing music and videos to singing nursery rhymes or imitating animal sounds — there are countless creative ways for children to explore communication through sound. By manifesting these early experiences with the world of language, parents set toddlers up for successful future conversations.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe advises that the key is patience to fostering language in children. Don't expect them to start talking immediately - give your child time, and don't be discouraged if they aren't repeating words or phrases after a few attempts. Instead of bombarding toddlers with lengthy conversations, keeping things simple can encourage learning – three to five-word responses are ideal for facilitating understanding.

Despite being nonverbal, children with speech delays can still understand and respond to their environment. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, forcing a child into this situation might be too overwhelming – instead, try observing the subtle cues they give off through body language, so you don't miss out on any meaningful communication.

Parents who suspect their child may have a speech delay should consult with experts in the field, such as a Neurologist, a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or Otologist. These professionals will help pinpoint any underlying issues and develop strategies to overcome them.

Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group is well-versed in various disciplines, including neuroengineering and brain development. Read more of his insights and learn more about his professional and academic background by visiting his page on the NTL Group website.