Neuroscience Overview and Concepts

The scientific study of the brain and nervous system, focusing on how they control behavior and mental processes.

The study of how the brain organizes itself into networks, from the molecular level to whole-brain functioning.

The level at which individual neurons communicate with each other through chemical and electrical signals.

The level at which groups of neurons form circuits and pathways that control specific functions.

Refers to the changes in the strength and efficiency of connections between neurons, allowing for learning and memory.

The analysis of how brain activity, measured using different methods, relates to various cognitive processes.

The study of how the brain and nervous system are organized at all levels, from the smallest structures to the largest systems.

The process of understanding the computational abilities of neurons and neural networks.

These cells support and protect the neurons in the brain. They essentially provide the framework for communication and processing.

The ratio of glial cells to neurons is less than 1:1, meaning there are more neurons than glial cells in the brain.

These are the junctions where neurons communicate with each other, and each neuron can have thousands of them.

It's mostly made up of unmyelinated neurons, responsible for processing and connections within specific brain regions.

It's mostly made up of myelinated neurons, its main function is to transmit information quickly between different regions of the brain and body.

Major axon branches, responsible for carrying signals to multiple target neurons.

Points of communication between neurons, where signals are transmitted from one neuron to another.

Insulating layers around axons, produced by glial cells, that speed up signal transmission.

A type of neural projection where adjacent neurons in one brain region connect to adjacent neurons in another region.

When axons branch, sending signals to multiple target neurons.

When multiple axons converge on a common target, integrating signals from different sources.

Neural circuits that process information in a recursive manner, involving feedback loops.

The highest level of processing in both sensory and motor hierarchies, responsible for complex functions.

A hierarchical organization of the nervous system, starting with molecules and progressing to cell groups, major brain divisions, and the central and peripheral nervous systems.

In the nervous system, the brain performs various functions concurrently, with complex functions layered on top of simpler ones.

A device that converts energy and signals into motion, playing a role in the output of a system.

A model that explains how an infant learns to avoid a harmful stimulus like fire, where two subcortical reflex arcs are connected through cortical pathways.

Connections between neurons in the brain that strengthen with experience, allowing the perception of a stimulus to trigger a response before the stimulus is fully experienced.

The scientific discovery that neurons are individual cells, not a continuous network, revolutionizing our understanding of the brain.

A staining technique that highlights the intricate structures of neurons, enabling scientists to study their morphology and connections.

The shape and structure of a neuron, including its dendrites, cell body, and axon, which determine its function.

Neurons receive signals from multiple presynaptic neurons at their dendrites. These signals are summed at the axon hillock, and if the combined signal surpasses a threshold, an action potential is triggered.

The summation of synaptic signals from different locations on a neuron's dendrites. These signals can be excitatory (causing the neuron to fire) or inhibitory (preventing the neuron from firing).

The summation of synaptic signals that occur in rapid succession at a single synapse. The closer in time the signals are, the stronger the effect.

A mathematical model that describes how neurons integrate incoming signals and generate output. Neurons sum up their inputs and fire an action potential only if the sum exceeds a threshold.

A neuron's ability to detect and respond to the simultaneous arrival of signals from multiple presynaptic neurons. Neurons can 'decide' to fire only if enough signals arrive at the same time.

A type of synapse where a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor, directly opening an ion channel and causing a rapid change in membrane potential.

A type of synapse where a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor, activating a cascade of intracellular events that indirectly open or close ion channels, leading to a slower and more complex response.

The strengthening of connections between neurons, making them more efficient and likely to fire together in the future.

A section of the hippocampus that is often used in research to study synaptic plasticity. It contains several intact circuits, making it ideal for studying the intricate mechanisms of learning and memory.

A neural pathway that travels through the perforant path and connects the dentate gyrus with the CA fields of the hippocampus.

Neurons that fire together, wire together. This means that when two neurons are active at the same time, their connection strengthens. This is a fundamental principle of learning and memory.

Part of the hippocampus involved in learning and memory, receiving input from the perforant path. Its neurons project to other areas of the hippocampus.

The process by which neurons change their structure and function in response to experience. It is the basis for learning and memory.

Part of the hippocampus involved in learning and memory, divided into several subfields (CA1, CA2, CA3).

A high-frequency electrical stimulation applied to a neuron to induce LTP. This type of stimulation mimics the repeated activity that occurs during learning.