Hormones, Neurotransmitters And Brain Physiology

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Hormone

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A chemical substance produced by endocrine glands that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs

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Endocrine system

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A system within the body consisting of glands and that among other things are responsible for the secretion of hormones

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Cortisol

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A hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. Also called the "stress hormone"

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Oxytocin

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A hormone generated in the hypothalamus that plays a role in pair bonding, face recognition, and the production is stimulated by touch

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Neurotypical

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Term used for "normal" control patients when compared with brain-damaged patients or participants with developmental disorders such as autism

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Neuron

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The basic unit cell of the nervous system

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Nucleus

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The part of the cell in which we find genetic material

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Axon

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A process emerging from the neuron that generally conducts nerve impulses away from the neuron

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Dendrite

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A threadlike branch extension of a neuron, which conducts nerve impulses towards the cell body

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Synaptic end bulb

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The terminal point of the neuron/axon, at which the electrical impulses that has travelled down its length is being transferred to some post-synaptic structure

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Synaptic vesicles

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Located in the synaptic end bulb and contain the neurotransmitters that are released into the synapse

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Synaptic gap

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The minute space between the cell membrane of an axon and that of the target cell

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Receptor sites

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The location on a cell surface where certain molecules, such as neurotransmitters, attach to interact with cellular components

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Neuroplasticity

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The process in which the brain's natural synapses and pathways are altered as an effect of environmental, behavioral and neural changes

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Neurotransmitter

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A substance that transfers nerve impulses across a synapse

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Serotonin

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A neurotransmitter found mainly in the central nervous system, in which it helps to regulate mood, sleep, appetite, learning and memory.

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Acetylcholine

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A neurotransmitter produced in the brain, in which it's involved in the process of breathing, attention, and the process of learning and in short-term memory.

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Dopamine

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A neurotransmitter produced in the brain, and plays a role in cognition, motivation and pleasure seeking behavior

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Cerebral cortex

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The outer layer of grey matter of the cerebral hemispheres that is largely responsible for higher brain functions such as sensation, thought and memory

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Frontal lobe

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Located in the upper and frontal area of the cortex. Carries out higher mental processes such as forming of personality and ability to speak fluently

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Parietal lobe

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Located in the upper back part of the cortex. Processes sensory information that has to do with taste, temperature and touch

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Occipital lobe

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Located in the lower back of the cortex. Processes visual information from the eyes.

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Temporal lobe

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Located in the middle bottom part of the cortex. It's responsible for processing auditory information, comprehension of language and storing of new memories

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Thalamus

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Located above the brain stem, the thalamus processes and transmits movement and sensory information.

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Hypothalamus

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Situated below (hypo) the thalamus, responsible for "maintenance" behaviors - such as eating, drinking, body temperature

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Brain stem

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Part of the base of the brain connected to the spinal cord. Controls basic functions such as swallowing, breathing and heart rate

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Hippocampus

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Plays an important role in the limbic system. Involved in the formation of new memories and is associated with learning and emotions

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Limbic system

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A structure in the brain associated with emotions and drives. Consist of the amygdala, the hippocampus, regions of the cortex and the septal area.

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Amygdala

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A structure of the limbic system linked to emotions and aggression. Controls fear responses and emotional memories.

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Localization of function

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The theory that different parts of the brains are responsible for and carry out different functions

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Affective symptoms

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The mood, emotions or feelings displayed by a person experiences mental turbulence

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Etiology

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The study of cause/origin

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Grey matter

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Where the majority of the brain's neural cell bodies are located

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White matter

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Contains many myelinated axons and very few cell bodies