Activity-dependent plasticityActivity-dependent plasticity is a form of functional and structural neuroplasticity that arises from the use of cognitive functions and personal experience. Hence, it is the biological basis for learning and the formation of new memories.
Neural circuitA neural circuit is a population of neurons interconnected by synapses to carry out a specific function when activated. Multiple neural circuits interconnect with one another to form large scale brain networks. Neural circuits have inspired the design of artificial neural networks, though there are significant differences. Circuits in artificial neural networks have been researched as cognates to neural circuits.
BrainOrgan central to the nervous systemThe brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrateanimals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for special senses such as vision, hearing, and olfaction.
LearningProcess of acquiring new knowledgeAmerican students learning how to make and roll sushiLearning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behavior, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, other animals, and some machines. There is also evidence for some kind of learning in certain plants.
Neural oscillationBrainwaves, repetitive patterns of neural activity in the central nervous systemSimulation of neural oscillations at 10 Hz. Upper panel shows spiking of individual neurons (with each dot representing an individual action potential within the population of neurons), and the lower panel the local field potential reflecting their summed activity.
Cortical remappingCortical remapping, also referred to as cortical reorganization, is the process by which an existing cortical map is affected by a stimulus resulting in the creating of a 'new' cortical map. Every part of the body is connected to a corresponding area in the brain which creates a cortical map. When something happens to disrupt the cortical maps such as an amputation or a change in neuronal characteristics, the map is no longer relevant.
Neural codingNeural coding (or neural representation) refers to the relationship between a stimulus and its respective neuronal responses, and the signalling relationships among networks of neurons in an ensemble. Action potentials, which act as the primary carrier of information in biological neural networks, are generallyuniform regardless of the type of stimulus or the specific type of neuron.
NeurogenesisNeurogenesis is the process by which nervous system cells, the neurons, are produced by neural stem cells (NSCs). This occurs in all species of animals except the porifera (sponges) and placozoans. Types of NSCs include neuroepithelial cells (NECs), radial glial cells (RGCs), basal progenitors (BPs), intermediate neuronal precursors (INPs), subventricular zoneastrocytes, and subgranular zone radial astrocytes, among others.
Neural network (biology)A neural network, also called a neuronal network, is an interconnected population of neurons typically containing multiple neural circuits. Biological neural networks are studied to understand the organization and functioning of nervous systems. Artificial neural networks, which are defined as machine learning models, are loosely inspired by biological neural networks.
NeuroscientistA neuroscientist (or neurobiologist) is a scientist specializing in neuroscience that deals with the anatomy and function of neurons, neural circuits, and glia, and their behavioral, biological, and psychological roles in health and disease. Neuroscientists generally work as researchers within a college, university, government agency, or private industry setting.
Neural pathwayIn neuroanatomy, a neural pathway is the connection formed by axons that project from neurons to make synapses onto neurons in another location, to enable neurotransmission (the sending of a signal from one region of the nervous system to another). Neurons are connected by a single axon, or by a bundle of axons known as a nerve tract, or fasciculus.
Psychological stressIn psychology, stress is a feeling of emotional strain and pressure. Stress is a form of psychological and mental discomfort. Small amounts of stress may be beneficial, as it can improve athletic performance, motivation and reaction to the environment. Excessive amounts of stress, however, can increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, ulcers, and mental illnesses such as depression and also aggravate pre-existing conditions.
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