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Biopsychosocial approach
A model that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health and illness.
Brain plasticity (neuroplasticity)
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
Measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain.
CT (Computed Tomography)
Combines X-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of the brain.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
Measures metabolic activity by detecting gamma rays emitted after a radioactive tracer is injected.
fMRI (Functional MRI)
Measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
Lesions
Areas of damaged tissue in the brain, often studied to understand their effects on behavior and cognition.
Brain Stem
Controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.
Hindbrain
Includes structures like the cerebellum and medulla, responsible for basic life functions and coordination.
Midbrain
Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, and the regulation of sleep/wake cycles.
Forebrain
The largest part of the brain, involved in complex functions like thought, emotion, and sensory processing.
Medulla oblongata
Regulates autonomic functions such as heartbeat and breathing.
Reticular activating system
Plays a role in arousal and attention.
Cerebellum
Coordinates movement and balance.
Cerebral cortex
Involved in higher-order brain functions like thought and action.
Limbic system
Associated with emotions and memory; includes structures like the hippocampus and amygdala.
Thalamus
Acts as a relay station for sensory information.
Hypothalamus
Regulates bodily functions such as temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Pituitary gland
Often called the "master gland," it regulates hormones.
Hippocampus
Critical for memory formation.
Amygdala
Involved in emotional processing, especially fear.
Corpus callosum
Connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.
Split brain
Refers to patients who have had their corpus callosum severed, leading to unique cognitive and perceptual behaviors.
Broca's area
Located in the frontal lobe, crucial for speech production.
Wernicke's area
Located in the temporal lobe, important for language comprehension.
Cortex specialization
Different areas of the cortex are specialized for various functions.
Contralateral hemispheric organization
Each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.
Aphasia
A language disorder resulting from brain damage, affecting speech and comprehension.
Occipital lobe
Responsible for visual processing.
Temporal lobe
Involved in auditory processing and memory.
Parietal lobe
Processes sensory information and spatial awareness.
Association areas
Regions of the cerebral cortex involved in integrating information from various sensory modalities and higher-level functions like reasoning and planning.
Somatosensory cortex
Located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.
Frontal lobe
Involved in executive functions, decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling behavior.
Prefrontal cortex
A part of the frontal lobe crucial for complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, and moderating social behavior.
Motor cortex
Located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.
Consciousness
The state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.
Cognitive neuroscience
The study of how biological processes relate to behavioral and cognitive functions, often examining the neural basis of cognition.
Dual processing
The theory that our brains process information in two ways:a fast, automatic, intuitive system and a slower, more deliberate, analytical system.
Parallel processing
The ability to process multiple streams of information simultaneously, such as perceiving color, shape, and motion in visual stimuli.
Sequential processing
The ability to process information step-by-step, typically used in tasks requiring focus and concentration.
Sleep
A natural, reversible state of reduced responsiveness to external stimuli, characterized by changes in brain activity and metabolism.
Circadian rhythm
The internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other physiological processes over a 24-hour period.
Jet lag
A temporary sleep disorder resulting from rapid travel across time zones, disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm.
EEG patterns
Brain wave patterns recorded by an electroence
Alpha waves
Brain waves associated with relaxed, awake states, typically seen when a person is calm but alert.
NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
The stages of sleep excluding REM, including light and deep sleep phases.
Hallucinations:
Perceptual experiences occurring without external stimuli, sometimes associated with sleep deprivation or certain sleep disorders.
Hypnagogic sensations
Vivid sensory experiences that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
Delta waves
Slow brain waves associated with deep sleep (NREM stage 3).
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
A stage of sleep characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, increased brain activity, and vivid dreams
REM rebound
The increased duration and intensity of REM sleep following sleep deprivation.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN
A cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms.
Dream
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep, particularly during REM sleep.
Activation synthesis theory
A theory suggesting that dreams result from the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.
Consolidation theory
The idea that sleep helps consolidate and organize memories from the day
Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often leading to daytime fatigue and impairments
Narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
A disorder where individuals act out their dreams, often resulting in injury.
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