Neurotransmitters Gone Rogue
Epilepsy is primarily associated with excessive activity of this excitatory neurotransmitter.
Glutamate
This structure serves as the major sensory relay station to the cortex.
Thalamus
This structure contains sensory neuron cell bodies just outside the spinal cord.
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Abnormal, excessive, and synchronous excitatory neuronal activity in the brain.
Seizure
From Latin meaning “little brain,” this structure plays a major role in coordination and motor learning.
What is the cerebellum?
This neurotransmitter is decreased in major depressive disorder.
Serotonin or 5-HT
This lobe is primarily responsible for executive function and decision-making.
Frontal lobe
Cranial nerve responsible for most parasympathetic output.
Vagus nerve (CN X)
Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leads to this disorder.
Parkinson's disease
Its name comes from the Greek word for “almond,” and it plays a key role in fear and emotional processing
Amygdala
This neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson’s disease and modulates the basal ganglia.
Dopamine
This region contains the substantia nigra.
Midbrain
This cranial nerve controls lateral eye movement.
Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Loss of myelin in the CNS due to autoimmune attack describes this disorder.
Multiple sclerosis
From Greek meaning “horse” and “sea monster,” this structure is essential for forming new declarative memories.
Hippocampus
Overactivation of NMDA receptors can lead to this type of neuronal damage.
Excitotoxicity
This brain region contains the most nerve tracts entering and leaving the cortex.
Internal Capsule
This cranial nerve carries visual sensory information.
Optic nerve (CN II)
Resting tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity are hallmark symptoms of this disorder.
Parkinson's disease
From Latin meaning “hard mother,” this is the tough outermost meningeal layer protecting the brain.
Dura mater
This neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the CNS.
GABA
This structure regulates autonomic and endocrine homeostasis
Hypothalamus
This mixed cranial nerve mediates facial sensation and mastication.
Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Degeneration of dopaminergic nuclei in the substantia nigra pars compacta affects this system.
Basal ganglia circuitry
From Greek roots meaning “other,” “speech,” and “no,” this language disorder involves difficulty producing or understanding words.
Aphasia