Sensation and perception work seamlessly together to allow us to experience the world through our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin, but also to combine what we are currently learning from the environment with what we already know about it to make judgments and to choose appropriate behaviors.

The topics of sensation and perception are among the oldest and most important in all of psychology. Amazingly, our senses have the ability to convert real-world information into electrical information that can be processed by the brain. …

Sensation and perception are two separate processes that are very closely related. Sensation is input about the physical world obtained by our sensory receptors, and perception is the process by which the brain selects, organizes, and interprets these sensations.

Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The sensing organs associated with each sense send information to the brain to help us understand and perceive the world around us. People also have other senses in addition to the basic five. Here’s how they work.

In general, the study of sensation and perception in psychology focuses on learning how our eyes, ears and other sense organs detect stimuli from the world around us and transfer these stimuli into signals that the brain can understand and process. We’ll also cover the body’s major senses.

General sensations which include touch, pain, temperature, proprioception, and pressure. Special Senses: Vision, hearing, taste, and smell which convey sensations to the brain through cranial nerves.

Sensation is a function of the low-level, biochemical and neurological mechanisms that allow the receptor cells of a sensory organ to detect an environmental stimulus.

To perform a pinprick sensation, a safety pin is used to prick the skin while observing the function of sharp/dull sensation (pain). On the other hand, to test for light touch sensation, a cotton swab is used.

‘Pins and needles’ are a sensation of uncomfortable tingling or prickling, usually felt in the arms, legs, hands or feet. A common cause is pressure on a specific part of the arm or leg, which causes compression of nerves. This usually resolves quickly when the position is changed and the pressure is removed.

With the pinprick, the therapist gently touches the skin with the pin or back end and asks the patient whether it feels sharp or blunt. Light touch is tested by dabbing a piece of cotton wool on an area of skin. Both tests begin distally and then move proximally (aiming to test each dermatome and each main nerve).

With this test, the pinprick test is used to assess perception of pain. Warn the patient about this before undertaking this examination. You could also test for light touch sensation along with this examination for an assessment of the dorsal column/medial lemniscus pathways too (see Section 8.2).

Electromyography (EMG) is a form of electrodiagnostic testing that is used to study nerve and muscle function. It is commonly performed by a physiatrist or neurologist with special training for this procedure.

Electromyography (EMG) records electrical activity in your muscles to detect nerve damage. A thin needle (electrode) is inserted into the muscle to measure electrical activity as you contract the muscle. At the same time as an electromyogram, your doctor or an EMG technician typically performs a nerve conduction study.

Blood and urine tests to look for infections, toxins, or protein disorders. Imaging tests of the brain or spine to look for tumors, brain damage, or problems with your blood vessels, bones, nerves, or disks. A study of your brain function called an electroencephalograph, or EEG.

Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social class, national nor geographic boundaries.

Signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders

• Persistent or sudden onset of a headache.
• A headache that changes or is different.
• Loss of feeling or tingling.
• Weakness or loss of muscle strength.
• Loss of sight or double vision.
• Memory loss.
• Impaired mental ability.
• Lack of coordination.

What is done during a neurological exam?

• Mental status.
• Motor function and balance.
• Sensory exam.
• Newborn and infant reflexes.
• Reflexes in the older child and adult.
• Evaluation of the nerves of the brain.
• Coordination exam:

Evaluation of LOC is the most important part of the neuro exam, as a change is usually the first indication of a declining status (Noah, 2004). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a valuable tool for recording the conscious state of a person, and is based on three patient responses: Eye opening, motor and verbal response.

Pupillary responses are one of the most important parts of the neurologic exam in patients with impaired consciousness. The normal pupillary response demonstrates the normal functioning of the optic nerve and the oculomotor nerve (CN #3).

A neurological exam checks for disorders of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves from these areas. It controls and coordinates everything you do, including muscle movement, organ function, and even complex thinking and planning.

You may have blood tests to check many things. If you have neurological-like symptoms, your blood tests might check your Vitamin B12 and various hormone levels.

(nūrō-lojik statŭs) Assessment of overall condition of nervous system function.

In many instances, nerve damage cannot be cured entirely. However, there are various treatments that can reduce your symptoms. Because nerve damage is often progressive, it is important to consult with a doctor when you first notice symptoms to reduce the likelihood of permanent damage.

Prevention

1. Exercise regularly.
2. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
3. Get plenty of rest.
4. Take care of health conditions that may cause decreased nervous system functioning, such as:
5. Eat a balanced diet.
6. Drink plenty of water and other fluids.

Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can be as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin.

The specific causes of neurological problems vary, but can include genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities or disorders, infections, lifestyle or environmental health problems including malnutrition, and brain injury, spinal cord injury or nerve injury.