A/B
Chemicals that come from outside of the body, and mimic or enhance in some way the actions of neurotransmitters. They can be either more effective, the same, or less effective than the normal neurotransmitter produced in the nervous system.
agonists
"Little brain." A two-lobed part of the brain behind the brainstem that helps coordinate movements and problem-solving.
cerebellum
A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions.
Ganglia
Same side of the body.
Ipsilateral
The outer part of your brain, with all the bumps (gyri) and valleys (sulci), responsible for all the high-level processing of information.
Neocortex
A network of neurons and glia (nuclei) that becomes more active when we learn to be fearful and activate our fear response.
Amygdala
A network that becomes more active when we experience unpleasant things.
cingulate gyrus
A network of neurons and glia grouped together to perform certain functions.
ganglia
Areas in the brain where neurons have died. A ___________________ can occur for many reasons, including trauma (getting hit), drug overdose, disease, stroke, or toxic chemical exposure.
lesions
The bottom portion of the temporal lobes in the neocortex dedicated to processing electrical impulses from olfactory (smell) nerves.
Olfactory cortex
A chemical that comes from outside of the body to shut off a receptor.
Antagonist
A method used in combination with MRI scans that allows white matter (axons with myelin) to be seen on the scan.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
Pale globe: Part of the basal ganglia that plays the role of inhibiting circuits in the thalamus to control how sensory information is coordinated with movement.
Globus Pallidus
A network of neurons and glia dedicated to regulating emotions, helping regulate endocrine activity, and forming emotional memories.
limbic system
A chemical that comes from outside of the body and either partially enhances, partially mimics, or partially blocks a neurotransmitter action.
partial agonsit/antagonist
This is the part of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter. Once the action potential gets to the ___________________________, this triggers the release of the neurotransmitter.
Axon terminal
Consisting of clustered groups of neurons called the caudate and putamen, part of the basal ganglia closer to the neocortex that play a central role in coordinating movement.
Dorsal Striatum
A network of neurons and glia that acts as a gateway for forming new memories.
Hippocampus
The part of your brain closest to your spinal cord that helps regulate life functions like breathing and heart rate.
Medulla
The front portion of the frontal lobes, a network of neurons and glia heavily involved in decision making.
Prefrontal cortex
Interconnected groups of neurons near the base of the brain that help us learn movements and coordinate movement patterns.
Basal Ganglia
A substance produced in the body (remember the nervous system is a part of your body).
Endogenous
A network of neurons and glia that helps regulate the production of hormones by the endocrine system, giving it an integral role in governing important bodily functions.
Hypothalamus
Diseases in which parts of the brain slowly die over time, resulting in greater disability as the disease progresses.
Neurodegenerative diseases
A network of cells in the pons and medulla that help regulate the level of awareness and alertness in humans.
Reticular Activating System (RAS)