Introduction to Neuroscience

These flashcards cover key concepts from the introduction to neuroscience, including brain anatomy, historical milestones in psychology, and foundational terms related to brain function and neural transmission.

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Trephining

An ancient surgical practice involving removing a circular section of the skull to treat health issues.

Hippocrates

An ancient Greek physician who proposed that the brain is the seat of thoughts and emotions.

Galen

A physician who discovered the relationship between the brain and behavior through treating injured gladiators.

Silent cortex

Areas of the brain that do not exhibit visible activity when stimulated, discovered by Wilder Penfield.

The Mozart Effect

The claimed temporary improvement in IQ and spatial reasoning after listening to classical music.

Mentalism

The belief that mental phenomena (emotions, thoughts) arise from physical processes in the brain.

Phrenology

The study of the bumps on the skull to determine personality traits and mental abilities.

Localization of function

The theory that specific brain regions are responsible for specific functions.

Broca's area

A region in the frontal lobe associated with language processing and speech production.

Wernicke's area

A region in the brain responsible for language comprehension.

Reticular theory

The outdated concept that the nervous system is a continuous network rather than individual cells.

Neuron Doctrine

The principle that the nervous system is made up of distinct, individual neurons.

Hebbian learning

A theory proposing that synaptic strength increases with simultaneous activation of pre and post-synaptic neurons.

Action potential

A rapid electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron.

Resting potential

The state of a neuron when it is not actively sending a signal, typically around -60mV.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

A temporary depolarization of a postsynaptic membrane potential caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell.

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

A kind of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less likely to generate an action potential.

Long-term potentiation

A long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them simultaneously.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience.

Myelin

A fatty substance that surrounds the axons of some neurons, allowing for faster transmission of electrical signals.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms.

Amino acids (neurotransmitters)

Small organic molecules that include glutamate and GABA, serving as the primary neurotransmitters in the brain.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide protection and maintenance to neurons.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements and maintains balance.

Amygdala

A structure in the brain involved in emotional regulation and response.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain associated with memory formation and spatial navigation.

Diencephalon

A region of the brain that includes structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Corpus Callosum

The bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A neuroimaging procedure that measures and maps the brain's activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Computed Tomography (CT)

An imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the body's structures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging method that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of organs and tissues inside the body.

Neural transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.

Glutamate

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, critical for synaptic plasticity.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which reduces neuronal excitability.

Alzheimer's disease

A progressive neurological disorder that causes memory loss and cognitive decline due to degeneration of brain cells.

Cholinergic neurons

Neurons that use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter.

Dopaminergic system

A system in the brain that uses dopamine as a neurotransmitter, associated with movement, reward, and addiction.

Neurotrophic factors

Naturally occurring proteins that support the growth, survival, and differentiation of developing and mature neurons.

Sensory receptors

Specialized cells that detect and respond to sensory stimuli, such as light, sound, and touch.

Critical periods

Time windows in development when the brain is particularly receptive to certain environmental influences.

Synaptic pruning

The process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.

Declarative memory

Memory concerning facts and events that can be consciously recalled.

Procedural memory

Memory of how to perform tasks, often without conscious awareness.

Korsakoff's syndrome

A chronic neurocognitive disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, often seen in people with alcohol dependence.

Case Study Methodology

An in-depth investigation of a single individual or group, commonly used in psychological research.

Physiological adaptations

Changes in brain structure or function in response to experience or environmental changes.