Neuroscience Cheatsheet
Brain Anatomy
Brain regions
- Cerebrum: responsible for conscious thought and movement
- Cerebellum: responsible for coordination and balance
- Brainstem: controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate
- Limbic system: controls emotions and memory
Neurons
- Dendrites: receive signals from other neurons
- Cell body: contains the nucleus and other organelles
- Axon: transmits signals to other neurons
- Synapse: the gap between neurons where chemical signaling occurs
Neurotransmitters
- Acetylcholine: involved in muscle control and memory
- Dopamine: involved in reward and motivation
- Serotonin: involved in mood and emotion
- GABA: inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural activity
Experimental Methods
Electrophysiology
- Measures the electrical activity of neurons
- Intracellular recording: measures the voltage across the membrane of a single neuron
- Extracellular recording: measures the voltage of many neurons in a specific area
Imaging
- Structural imaging: provides information about the brain’s anatomy
- Functional imaging: provides information about the brain’s activity
- Examples: MRI, CT, PET, fMRI
Common Techniques
EEG
- Measures the electrical activity of the brain
- Non-invasive and relatively cheap
TMS
- Uses a magnetic field to temporarily disrupt brain activity
- Non-invasive and used in both research and therapy
Optogenetics
- Uses light to control the activity of neurons
- Invasive and used primarily in research
Diseases and Disorders
Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease: gradual loss of memory and cognitive function
- Parkinson’s disease: loss of dopamine-producing neurons leading to motor impairments
- Huntington’s disease: genetic disorder that causes involuntary movements and cognitive decline
Mental Disorders
- Schizophrenia: characterized by abnormal thoughts and perceptions
- Depression: characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
- Anxiety disorders: characterized by excessive fear and worry
Resources