Subthalamus
A region below the thalamus and behind the hypothalamus.
It is involved in controlling movement or in more complex terms, the integration of somatic motor functions.
Author Archives: Kenzo Le Vaillant
Definition : Pineal gland
Pineal gland
A gland that doesn’t contain any neurons, only glial cells. It regulates the circadian rhythm by producing melatonin.
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Glial cells
Circadian rhythm
Melatonin
Definition : Epithalamus
Epithalamus
A thin region behind the thalamus. It is a link between the limbic system and other parts of the brain.
It consists of the pineal gland, habenular nuclei and the stria medullaris thalami. It also has some parts of the posterior and anterior paraventricular nuclei.
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Definition : Neurotrophin
Neurotrophin
A family of proteins. They regulate survival, development, maintenance and growth of neurons.
They bind to 2 types of receptors. TrkB receptors and p75NT receptors.
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Definition : Reactive Oxygen species
Reactive oxygen species
Oxygen molecules that are highly reactive. In the body, they act as toxins.
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Definition : TrkB receptor
TrkB receptor, tyrosine receptor kinase B receptor
A receptor for neurotrophins such as BDNF. They are found in most hippocampal neurons and mainly regulate synaptic strength and plasticity.
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Neurotrophin
Definition : Cortisol
Cortisol
A corticosteroid in humans that is released from the adrenal gland to wake the body such as in the morning or during stress.
It increases blood sugar levels, the amount of tissue repairing substances and enhances the brains glucose use.
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Adrenal gland
Definition : Endogenous
Endogenous
Coming from, being produced within the body.
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Definition : Pyramidal cell
Pyramidal cells
Multipolar excitatory neurons found in the cerebral cortex, the amygdala and the hippocampus of mammals.
Their soma is in the shape of a triangle/ pyramid.
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Soma
Definition : Myelin
Myelin
A layer of fat that coats the extensions from the neurons to help transmit signals faster.
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Myelin Sheath
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