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- Glossary
Orbitofrontal cortex
A convolution in the orbitofrontal cortex of the cerebral cortex, located anatomically behind the eyes. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a crucial role in decision-making and monitoring social interactions and is correspondingly complex in structure. It consists of four different substructures: the medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior orbital gyri, as well as the rectus gyrus.
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- Glossary
Place cells
Pyramidal cells in the hippocampus that encode a specific location in a specific environment – for example, a section of a maze. When a test animal is in the center of this area, the cell fires most strongly. Place cells were discovered in 1971 by John O'Keefe and Jonathon Dostrovsky.
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- Glossary
Oscillation
Oscillations occur when many neurons fire in synchronized, rhythmic patterns. These phased fluctuations in neural activity form the basis for measurable signals in the EEG. They reflect the coordinated processing of information in the brain.
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- Glossary
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and released into the blood via the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It initiates contractions during childbirth and supports the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding. It is also released during orgasm. Oxytocin can promote trust and strengthen pair bonding, but recent findings show that its effects are more complex and, in certain contexts, can also promote separation from out-groups.
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- Glossary
Paleocortex
The paleocortex is a phylogenetically very old part of the telencephalon, which together with the olfactory bulb forms the olfactory brain. The paleocortex differs from the isocortex in that it does not have a six-layer structure.
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- Glossary
Pallidum
The "pale nucleus" (pallidum = pale) is classified as part of the basal ganglia due to its functional integration and, in terms of evolutionary development, belongs to the telencephalon. It has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) segment, which mainly transmit inhibitory impulses to modulate the activity of other parts of the basal ganglia and thalamus.
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Papilla
The optic nerve leaves the eye at the papilla, the optic disc. Since there are no photoreceptors at this point on the retina, the optic disc creates a blind spot.
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- Glossary
Parahippocampal cortex
The parahippocampal cortex is located next to the hippocampus and is part of the temporal lobe. It processes spatial-visual memory content and appears to be involved in the consolidation of memory content. It receives inputs from numerous polymodal cortical areas, and its outputs go to the hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum.
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- Glossary
Paralimbic cortex
Collective term for all areas of the brain that are closely connected to the limbic system. Anatomically, the orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, and insula belong to the paralimbic system, which plays a crucial role in mediating intense emotions. This is particularly true for feelings of fear. Neurologists often find abnormalities in the paralimbic system in the brains of psychopaths.
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- Glossary
Parallel fiber
Parallel fibers are the axons (long fiber-like extensions) of the granule cells in the granular layer of the cerebellar hemispheres. They are so named because they run along the cerebellar gyri. They form synapses with the Purkinje cells.
