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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.
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- Glossary
Cochlea
The cochlea is the part of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti, which is responsible for converting acoustic signals into nerve impulses.
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- Glossary
Cochlear nuclei
These nuclei on the dorsolateral side of the brainstem are innervated by the auditory nerve and form a switching center for information from the auditory system. The efferent neurons of the cochlear nuclei transmit auditory information to downstream switching centers in the brainstem, such as the inferior colliculi.
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- Glossary
Inferior colliculus
Two posterior elevations of the midbrain roof are referred to as the inferior colliculi. Together with the superior colliculi, they form the midbrain tectum. Impulses from various nuclei of the lower brain stem converge at the inferior colliculi. In addition, signals from the auditory cortex arrive here. This makes the inferior colliculi an important coordination center for auditory information.
