The hidden world of the brain: The role of the basal ganglia beyond movement
There's more to the BG than just movement. The 5 nuclei of the BG each have independent functional roles and are also interconnected with different areas of the cortex.
Using screams to examine differences between fear and anxiety in the human brain
For decades, psychologists, neuroscientists, and brain mappers have studied fear and anxiety using language that obscures the distinctions between these complex emotional states.
The thinking center
Naturally we are aware of the full range of functions of the feet, which include but are not limited to penalty kicking and tap dancing. We also know that many other body parts are involved in each of these activities. Why is it then, that when it comes to the brain, we are so tempted to simplify and localize function? "The amygdala, the fear center of the brain", "the prefrontal cortex, the brain region that is responsible for planning", "the hippocampus the memory center of the brain", and so forth, are commonly encountered phrases in popular media.
From broken brains to Frankenstein: A Walt Whitman birthday listicle
Walt Whitman was born on this day in 1819. His lifespan overlapped with a period in neuroscience history that laid the foundation for today's exciting time of brain exploration. Though he would likely roll over in his grave at the word listicle, here are three ways Whitman is historically linked to the brain.
Linking us together through our resting brains
We’ve all heard weird factoids about brains. For example, dolphins sleep one hemisphere at a time. But, did you know that your brain has a resting state? This is somewhat of a contradictory label since it’s hard to define rest when it comes to the human brain.
Predicting literacy skills in preschoolers in just 30 minutes
Wouldn't it be great if we could identify neurobiological biomarkers of reading difficulties in less than an hour? Based on recent findings, it looks like we are becoming closer to making this goal a reality.
What do your brain maps have in common with Neil deGrasse Tyson's? More than you might think
One of the cool things about being human is that you know you’re you and that you have skills and abilities that others don’t have. For example, qualities that differentiate you from astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and vice versa.
So you want to shake hands with your brain...
It’s 7:30 a.m. and I’ve had my morning coffee already. I’m taking off my belt and emptying my pockets. It’s that time again — I’m getting my brain scanned. I should clarify that I’m not taking off my belt in a Magic Mike sort of way, but instead, in a brain mapping sort of way. Magnetic Resonance Imaging - or MRI - has a strong magnetic field.