Psych 1/2 AOS 2

Neuron

cells that make up the brain and the nervous system and which receive and transmit information.

Synapse

the site of communication between adjacent neurons.

Neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change and reorganize neural pathways as a result of experience.

Dendrites

a projection of a neuron that typically brain from the cell body and is able to receive information from other neurons.

Axon

a fibre that transmits nerve signals.

Axon terminals

structures at the end of the axon that store and release neurotransmitters.

Developmental plasticity

changes in neural connections as a result of interactions with the environment (our experiences during childhood) as a consequence of developmental processes.

Proliferation

neurons forming as a fetus

Migration

neurons moving from where they are first formed in the brain to where they will stay in the nervous system, during the fetal period.

Synaptogenesis

new neural connections, forming new synapses, that occurs during early development.

Synaptic pruning

removal of synaptic connections that are no longer needed.

Myelination

occurring throughout the developmental period, involving the insulation of neurons to ensure efficient neuronal transmission.

Sprouting

the ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches.

Rerouting

the ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron.

Pruning

elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequatley activated.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

the ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches.

Long-term depression (LTD)

the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated.

Adaptive plasticity

the brains ability to compensate for lust functionality due to brain damage, as well as in response to interaction with the environment, by reorganizing its structure.

Mental stimulation

an activity that activate neuronal connections and involves the processing of information, such as doing a crossword or learning to play an instrument.

Diet recommendations

it is recommended that individuals have a balanced diet, for example, $5-6$ serves of vegetables a day, $2$ pieces of fruit a day and $2-3$ serves of meat a day.

Physical activity

it is recommended that children and young people should engage in at least $1\,hour$ of moderate to vigorous physical activity in a day.

Social support

involves being part of interacting with a group of people, for example social gatherings or being part of a community group.

Acquired brain injury (ABI)

refers to all types of brain injuries that occur after birth.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

damage to the brain caused by an external force.

Non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI)

damage to the brain caused by internal factors, such as lack of oxygen or a tumor.

Biological functioning

the way that age, gender, genetics, physiologic relations, tissue health etc. impact wellbeing and development.

Psychological functioning

the way that mental health, emotional health, beliefs and expectations etc. impact wellbeing and development.

Social functioning

the way that interpersonal relationships, social support dynamics, socioeconomics etc. impact wellbeing and development.

Stroke

an acquired brain injury that involves an interruption to the blood supply in the brain or bleeding in the brain, resulting in deterioration of brain tissue.

Concussion

a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that results in the brain moving rapidly within the skull.

Aphasia

a disorder that affects the ability to communication, such as your ability to speak or to understand what others say.

Epilepsy

a chronic brain disorder that is characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures.

Neurological disorders

diseases characterized by any damage to or malfunctioning of the nervous system.

Parkinson’s

a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of neurons in the brain, that are responsible for the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Contemporary research

refers to studies and research that have been conducted in the last $5-10\,years$ and that utilize modern technology.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated exposure to mild traumatic brain injuries.

Broca’s area

an area of the frontal lobe that is responsible for clear and fluent speech.

Cerebellum

it is involved in a range of bodily functions, such as coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and movements associated with speech and vision.

Cerebral cortex

the thin layer of neurons that covers the outer region of the cerebrum, and plays a role in processing of complex sensory information, initiation of voluntary movements, symbolic thinking etc.

Cerebral hemispheres

$2$ hemispheres which extend from the front to the back of the brain, each of which controlled motor and sensory functions on the other side of the body.

Cerebrum

the largest part of the forebrain, consisting of two hemispheres, and directs conscious motor activities of the body, as well as receiving and processing a range of sensory information.

Forebrain

the area of the brain that includes the cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland and limbic system, and which is involved in coordinating muscle activity.

Frontal lobe

an area of the brain that plays an important role in planning, sequencing and executing voluntary movement.

Hemispheric specialization

when one cerebral hemisphere has a specialized function that is not possessed, or is controlled to a lesser extent, by the other.

Hindbrain

a region of the brain composed of the cerebellum, medulla oblongata and pons, and which is involved in supporting vital bodily processes, such as breathing and sleep.

Hypothalamus

connects the hormonal and nervous systems via the pituitary gland, regulating the release of many hormones that play a role in maintaining homeostasis.

Medulla oblongata

the control center for many of the automatic functions of the body, such as heart rate, breathing, salivating, blood pressure, swallowing etc.

Midbrain

an area of the brain at the topmost part of the brainstem, involved in auditory and visual processing, motor control, pain inhibition and reward-based learning patterns.

Occipital lobe

an area of the brain involved in receiving and processing information related to vision.

Parietal lobe

an area of the brain involved in attention, spatial awareness and reasoning, and receiving and processing somatosensory information.

Pons

connects the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex, and is also involved in sleep, arousal, facial expressions and hearing.

Reticular activating system (RAS)

an area of the midbrain that is responsible for alertness and awakening.

Reticular formation

an arrangement of neuron clumps that play a significant role in maintaining arousal, consciousness, and motor control.

Substantia nigra

a large collection of dopamine-producing neurons within the brain, dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in movement and coordination.

Temporal lobe

an area of the brain that plays a significant role in receiving and processing sounds from the ears.

Thalamus

relays infomation to the relevant sections of the cerebral cortex for additional processing, such as sensory information, but does not include smell.

Wernicke’s area

an area of the temporal lobe that plats a critical role in understanding the sounds involved in speech.