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- Glossary
Capgras syndrome
Perceptual disorder in which loved ones – e.g., parents or children – are perceived as "not real." Patients often assume that they have been replaced by doppelgangers or robots.
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- Glossary
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is an important part of the brain, located at the back of the brain stem and below the occipital lobe. It consists of two cerebellar hemispheres covered by the cerebellar cortex and plays an important role in motor processes, among other things. It develops from the rhombencephalon.
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- Glossary
Cerebrospinal fluid
A clear fluid that fills the ventricular system and bathes the brain and spinal cord in the subarachnoid space, protecting them from impact. Three to five times a day, 100 to 160 ml of fluid is renewed by the choroid plexus. Certain diseases are reflected in the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid.
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- Glossary
CGRP
The abbreviation stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide. It refers to a messenger substance in the nervous system that consists of 37 amino acids. CGRP is produced in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The peptide dilates the blood vessels. Migraine patients often have elevated CGRP levels. The effect of CGRP is of interest for other diseases, such as circulatory disorders or coronary heart disease.
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- Glossary
Change blindness
Change blindness is a phenomenon of visual perception whereby changes in the environment are not noticed. It is a problem of attention that can also arise due to distraction or concentration on other things. In experiments, a scene that changes during masking or distraction is often shown. Test subjects are unable to perceive the change.
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- Glossary
Chemoreceptor
Receptor that responds to chemical stimuli, e.g., taste or smell receptors. Chemoreceptors are also found in internal organs, such as the intestines and liver.
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- Glossary
Optic chiasm
The optic chiasm is a cross-shaped junction between the optic nerves, where 50% of the optic nerve fibers change sides.
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- Glossary
cholinergic
Cholinergic neurons produce acetylcholine (an important neurotransmitter in the brain), and cholinergic synapses use it to transmit signals.
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- Glossary
Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease is a progressive and fatal hereditary disease that manifests itself in the brain. It is characterized by dyskinesia, dementia, and behavioral and psychological changes. To date, there is no cure, although scientists have a relatively good understanding of its molecular causes. The Huntington's gene of those affected contains up to 200 copies of a specific base triplet (group of three bases). This causes the cells to produce a defective protein, which primarily forms deposits in the striatum of the brain. This leads to degeneration of the neurons in the basal ganglia and the cortex.
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- Glossary
Cingulate cortex
A component of the prefrontal cortex located at the front of the brain. Like half a doughnut, the cingulate cortex wraps around the corpus callosum. Functionally, it belongs to the limbic system and is involved in emotion, memory, and motor function.
