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1. 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. 

1. 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.

1. Glossary

Optic chiasm

The optic chiasm is a cross-shaped junction between the optic nerves, where 50% of the optic nerve fibers change sides.

1. Glossary

cholinergic

Cholinergic neurons produce acetylcholine (an important neurotransmitter in the brain), and cholinergic synapses use it to transmit signals.

1. 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. 

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Glossary

Superior colliculus

The upper pair of hills of the four hills of the midbrain (tectum) are also referred to in the plural as colliculi superiores. They form a switching center in the optical system for reflex movements of the eyes and for pupil reflexes.