Brain Bee Doc.docx

Neurons

Cells specialized in transmitting information throughout the nervous system.

Sensory neurons

Neurons coupled to receptors specialized in detecting and responding to environmental attributes.

Motor neurons

Neurons responsible for controlling muscle activity and various behaviors like speech.

Interneurons

Neurons located between sensory and motor neurons, mediating simple reflexes.

Glial cells

Cells contributing significantly to nervous system development and function in the adult brain.

Axons

Neuronal processes transmitting information to connected neurons.

Dendrites

Neuronal processes receiving information from axons of other neurons.

Synapses

Specialized contacts where neurons connect and communicate.

Spinal Cord

Structure responsible for simple reflexes and information transmission between body and brain.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain responsible for voluntary actions like language, speech, and thinking.

Action Potential

Electrical pulses traveling along axons to transmit neuronal signals.

Myelin sheath

Insulating layer around axons accelerating action potential transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers facilitating communication between neurons.

Excitatory post-synaptic potential (epsp)

Result of positive ion inflow through ion channels, causing excitation.

Inhibitory post-synaptic potential (ipsp)

Result of negative ion inflow through ion channels, leading to inhibition.

Neuromodulators

Chemical agents adjusting neuronal processes via metabotropic receptors.

Pain Perception

System informing about and warning of damage to the body, subject to powerful controls in the brain and body.

Sensitization of peripheral receptors

Process where peripheral receptors become more responsive to stimuli, leading to increased sensitivity.

Complex changes in ascending pain pathways

Alterations in pathways that transmit pain signals from the body to the brain, involving various interactions.

Excitation and inhibition interaction

Involves both stimulating and suppressing neural activity to regulate responses.

Human Visual Perception

Reliance on vision to perceive and understand the environment through light entering the eyes.

Photoreceptors in the retina

Cells that initiate neural impulses in response to light, including rods for night vision and cones for daylight vision and color perception.

Visual Pathway to the Brain

Route through which visual information travels from the retina to the brain for processing.

Receptive Fields and Cortical Organization

Visual cells' specific responses to visual stimuli and the organized structure of the visual cortex.

Neural Basis of Decision-Making

Recording neural activity during decision-making processes to understand the brain mechanisms involved.

Plasticity in the visual cortex

Ability of the visual cortex to adapt and change based on experiences, influencing individual cell responses.

Dyslexia

Reading difficulty characterized by challenges in recognizing alphabetic symbols, phonemic structure, and visuomotor integration.

Synaptic Plasticity

Brain's ability to change through altering neuronal communication, crucial for learning and memory formation.

AMPA Receptors and Memory Storage

Involvement of AMPA receptors in synaptic changes leading to Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) or Long-Term Depression (LTD) for memory storage.

Phonological

Internal verbalization for silent rehearsal loop

Visual sketchpad

Mental storage for manipulating visual images

Frontal and parietal lobes

Brain regions crucial for speech, planning, and decision-making

Evolution of Working Memory

Likely evolved alongside language development

Long-term Memory

Various systems storing information across brain networks

Perceptual Memory

Extracts perceptual representations aiding recognition and memory

Semantic Memory

Stores factual knowledge in categorized form for efficient retrieval

Skills Learning

Acquired through practice, involving basal ganglia and cerebellum

Emotional Learning

Involves the amygdala, influencing memory formation related to emotions

Episodic Memory

Records personal experiences and events

Amnesia

Inability to remember recent events

Brain Circuits

Specific regions crucial for memory formation and consolidation

Memory Systems

Different brain networks for various memory types

Neurobiology of Memory

Neural and chemical processes in memory formation

Place Cells

Hippocampal cells aiding navigation and spatial memory

NMDA Receptors

Vital for spatial learning, blocking impairs memory formation

Memory Improvement

Balancing memory enhancement for efficient recall

Cognitive Engineering

Techniques aiding memory enhancement and understanding

Understanding Stress

Impact on brain and body due to mismatch between expectations and reality

Nature of Stress

Psychological and physical stressors triggering protective mechanisms

HPA Axis Response

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis regulating stress response

Cortisol and the Brain

Hormone impacting brain function and memory

Depression and Stress

Excess cortisol linked to severe depression and hippocampus shrinkage

Stress and Ageing

Elevated cortisol levels associated with cognitive decline and ageing

Brain's Immune Function

Brain's interaction with immune system and defense mechanisms

Cytokines

Defense molecules produced in response to disease or injury

Sleep Stages

SWS and REM sleep crucial for brain restoration and memory consolidation

Brain Imaging Techniques

PET, MRI, and fMRI for detailed brain structure and function analysis

Artificial Neural Networks

Modeled after biological networks for learning and memory studies

Brain Disorders

Result from accidents, diseases, or genetic predispositions, impacting brain function

Huntington

Mutation in huntingtin gene causing repeat mutation

Parkinson's

Caused by issues in genes coding for Parkin

Genetics and Environment in Disease Development

Challenges in understanding their interaction

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Affects young adults with episodes of weakness and numbness

Autoimmune Diseases

Immune system attacks parts of the body

Alzheimer's Disease

Form of dementia affecting memory and personhood

Depressive Disorder

Severe depression can lead to brain cell loss

Schizophrenia

Progressive psychiatric disorder involving cognitive decline

Neuroethics

Intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, and ethics

Brain Basics

Introduction to the brain's control center and functions

Mapping the Brain

Divisions and functions of different brain parts

Key Parts of the Forebrain

Coordination functions of basal ganglia, thalamus, and hypothalamus

Midbrain and Hindbrain

Functions of midbrain and hindbrain structures

The Neuron

Basic unit of the brain transmitting information

Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators

Various signaling molecules in the brain

The Developing Brain

Processes involved in brain cell development

Migration and Connection

Neuronal migration and synaptic formation

Myelination and Paring Back

Processes involving myelination and apoptosis

Critical Periods

Sensitive windows in brain development

Senses and Perception

Overview of vision and visual processing

Photoreceptors and Color Vision

Roles of rods and cones in vision

Processing Visual Information

How visual information is processed in the brain

Learning, Memory & Language

Overview of memory types and language processing

Memory Systems

Different types of memory systems in the brain

Language

Types of aphasias and brain regions involved in language processing

Movement

Introduction to the role of the cerebellum in motor output

Flexors vs

Flexors cause contraction, while extensors cause lengthening of muscles.

Agonists vs

Agonists start movements, while antagonists stop movements.

Motor Units

Functional units controlled by alpha motor neurons.

Involuntary Movements

Include reflexes, automatic muscle responses.

Feedback Systems

Involve gamma motor neurons monitoring muscle spindle sensitivity.

Spinal Cord Mechanisms

Control walking, posture, and basic movements.

Brain Control of Movement

Motor cortex controls spinal cord alpha motor neurons.

Movement Disorders

Dysfunction of basal ganglia leads to Parkinson's disease symptoms.

Cerebellum

Integrates sensory information for coordination and balance.

Sleep Importance

Crucial for concentration, memory, and emotional health.

Sleep Research

Involves understanding sleep stages and brain activity during sleep.

Stress Definition

Any external stimulus threatening the body's equilibrium.

Immediate Response to Stress

Involves voluntary nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and neuroendocrine system.

Chronic Stress

Continuous release of stress hormones leading to negative consequences.

Childhood Disorders

Include autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and dyslexia.