3 brain_imaging

fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A brain imaging technique that allows for many images to be taken in a short period, creating a real-time 'movie' of brain activity.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

A type of scan that involves injecting radioactive glucose to observe brain activity based on glucose metabolism.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A scanning method that uses magnetic fields to track the flow of oxygenated blood in the brain.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A non-invasive method to study brain activity by recording electrical signals through electrodes placed on the scalp.

Neural Correlates

Brain patterns or activities that are associated with particular thoughts, emotions, or behaviours.

Reductionism

An approach that attempts to explain complex behaviours or phenomena in terms of a single factor or cause.

Amygdala

A part of the brain involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and pleasure responses.

Hippocampus

A brain structure essential for memory formation, notably spatial memory.

Correlation does not equal causation

The principle that a correlation between two variables does not imply that one causes the other.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.

Neuron

The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted through neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals released by neurons that transmit signals to other neurons or muscles.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions such as thought, perception, and decision-making.

Corpus Callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain associated with reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Parietal Lobe

The area of the brain responsible for processing sensory information related to touch and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

The region of the brain that processes visual information.

Temporal Lobe

The part of the brain mainly involved in auditory processing and memory.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that surrounds and insulates axons, speeding up the transmission of electrical signals.

Action Potential

A rapid change in electrical charge in a neuron caused by the movement of ions in and out of the cell.

Resting Potential

The stable, negative charge of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat.

Thalamus

A structure that relays sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A small region of the brain that regulates many bodily functions, including temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself, particularly after injury or in response to learning.

Split-Brain

A condition resulting from severing the corpus callosum, often used to study the functions of the brain hemispheres.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers, also associated with feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep; often linked to feelings of well-being.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and controlling movement.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

A principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neuronal excitability.

Cell Body (Soma)

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles, responsible for maintaining the cell's health.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.

Brain Waves

Electrical impulses in the brain that can be measured by an EEG and are associated with different states of consciousness.

Sleep Stages

Different phases of sleep, including REM and non-REM sleep, characterized by distinct brain activity and physiological changes.

Memory Consolidation

The process by which short-term memories are transformed into long-term memories.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

A lasting increase in synaptic strength, thought to be a mechanism underlying learning and memory.

Emotional Memory

The ability to recall and relive emotional experiences, often tied to the amygdala's function.

Default Mode Network

A network of brain regions that is active when a person is not focused on the external environment and is engaged in introspection.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thought, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities.

Anxiety Disorders

Disorders characterized by excessive fear or anxiety, affecting daily functioning.