Neurotransmitters and Parts of the brain

Acetylcholine

This neurotransmitter is associated with motor movement, memory, and learning. Lack of it is associated with Alzheimer’s

Dopamine

This neurotransmitter is associated with motor movement and alertness. Lack of it is associated with Parkinson’s, and an overabundance with schizophrenia

Endorphins

This neurotransmitter is associated with pain control, and it is involved in addictions when there is an excess

Serotonin

This neurotransmitter is associated with mood control, hunger, and sleep. Lack of it is associated with clinical depression

GABA

This neurotransmitter is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter than when doesn’t work properly, causes seizures and sleep problems

Glutamate

This excitatory neurotransmitter is involved in memory, migraines, and seizures

Norepinephrine

This neurotransmitter plays a part in alertness and arousal. Too little of it causes depression

EEG

This type of brain scan detects brain waves and is widely used in sleep research

CAT / CT

This type of brain scan is a sophisticated X-ray that creates 3-D pictures of brain structure

MRI

This type of brain scan uses magnetic fields to measure location an density of brain material, making it more sophisticated than a CAT scan

PET

This type of brain scan lets researchers see what areas of the brain are most active during certain tasks. This is done by measuring how much of a certain chemical (like glucose) is used in each part of the brain

fMRI

This type of brain scan combines MRI and PET to show information about blood flow, tying brain structure to brain activity during tasks

Hindbrain

This grouping of structures (medulla, pons, cerebellum) in the brain forms our life support system that controls basic biological functions

Medulla

This brain structure is located in the hindbrain, just above the spinal cord. It is involved in control of blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing

Pons

Located just above the medulla and toward the front of the brain while still in the hindbrain, this structure connects the hindbrain with the mid and forebrains, and also controls facial expressions

Cerebellum

Located in the hindbrain, near the rear, this structure coordinates habitual muscle movements such as tracking a target with our eyes

Midbrain

This grouping of brain structures is just above the spinal cord but below the forebrain. It is very small but coordinates simple movements with sensory information

Reticular formation

Located in the midbrain, a netlike collection of cells that controls general body arousal and focusing ability. Damage result in a coma

Forebrain

This grouping of structures controls thought and reason and is very large. It consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus

Thalamus

Located on the top of the brain stem. This structure is responsible for receiving sensory information coming up the spinal cord and sending them to other areas in the forebrain

Hypothalamus

This is a small structure in the forebrain. It controls several metabolic functions, including body temperature, sexual arousal, hunger, thirst, and the endocrine system., as well as biological rhythms.

PRIMITIVE URGES

Hippocampus

Two arms around the thalamus. Part of the forebrain that processes memories and sends them off for storage. Brain damage here prevent new information from being processed

Amygdala

Part of the forebrain, at the end of each of the two arms of the hippocampus. Vital to experiences of emotion.

Cerebral cortex

A thin, densely packed layer of neurons covering all of the brain. Here, connections are strengthened in response to learning. The surface is covered in fissures

Comprised of eight different lobes: four on each hemisphere (frontal, parietal, occipital, teporal)

Brain lateralization / Hemispheric Lateralization

Specialization of function for hemispheres in the brain

Corpus callosum

Nerve connecting two hemispheres of the brain

Frontal Lobes

Large areas of the cerebral cortex at the top front part of the brain, behind the eyes. The front of them makes up the prefrontal cortex.

Prefrontal Cortex

This brain structure is in the frontal lobes and is thought to play a critical role in directing thought processes, acting as the brain’s central executive and predicting consequences, pursuing goals, maintaining emotional control and engaging in abstract thought.

Broca’s area

An area in the left frontal lobe that is responsible for muscles controlling speech

Motor cortex

Thin strip at the back of the frontal lobe that sends signals to muscle and controls voluntary movements

Parietal Lobes

These are located behind the frontal lobe but still at the top of the brain and contain the sensory cortex.

Sensory Cortex

Behind the motor cortex, a thin vertical strip that receives incoming touch sensations

Occipital Lobes

At the back of the brain, farthest from eyes. These are in charge of interpreting messages from the visual cortex. Right — Right and Left — Left

Temporal Lobes

These process sound sensed by our ears. They contain the auditory cortex

Turner’s Syndrome

People with this chromosomal abnormality only have a single X chromosome, changing their physical characteristics

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

People with this chromosomal abnormality have an extra X chromosme, making them XXY. Usually minimal sexual development and extreme introversion

Down Syndrome

People with the chromosomal abnormality on the 21st pair (extra) have an intellectual disability and physical differences

Pituitary

This gland regulates all oter glands

Pineal

This gland is involved in producing melatonin

Thyroid

This gland regulates the bodies metabolism

Adrenal

This gland produces adrenaline to help with crisis

Pancreas

Th gland produces insulin and helps get energy from food

Ovary

This gland produces estrogen

Testes

This gland produces testosterone

Adrenaline

This hormone is involved in fight or flight and is good in short bursts

Oxytocin

“us vs them” hormone

Cortisol

Stress hormone that is similar to adrenaline and helps with threats

Leptin

This hormone is involved in turning off hunger

Ghrelin

This hormone is involved in turning on hunger

Melatonin

This hormone helps turn on the sleep process

Epinephrine

This neurotransmitter is associated with the sympathetic nervous system and helps respond to high-emotion situations. Same chemical as adrenaline and connected to forming memories

Opiates

A drug that acts as an agonists for endorphins

Dopamine Agonists

Drugs such as L-Dopa that are dopamine agonists and help stop parkinson’s tremors

Botox

A drug that acts as an antagonist for acetylcholine —> muscles don’t contract

Alcohol

Antagonist for glutamate and a depressant

SSRI

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
stop reabsorption of serotonin —> more serotonin to treat depression