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- Glossary
Lucid dream
During a lucid dream, the dreamer is aware of their state and able to control their actions. Although Aristotle reported on this phenomenon and up to 80 percent of all people say they have had lucid dreams, sleep researchers doubted the existence of this phenomenon until the end of the 1960s. Most observations of lucid dreams originate from the REM sleep phase. Scientists have found that lucid dreams are associated with altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for the critical evaluation of events. Lucid dreaming can be learned and is now also used in therapy, for example in the treatment of nightmares.
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- Glossary
Macular organs
Together with the semicircular canals, the macular organs form the vestibular system in the inner ear of vertebrates. They consist of two structures positioned perpendicular to each other, the saccule and the utricle. This alignment enables the macular organs to perceive linear accelerations of the body in space along all three spatial axes: up-down, front-back, left and right.
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- Glossary
Magnetic resonance imaging
An imaging technique used by doctors to diagnose various diseases and malformations in different tissues or organs of the body. It is based on the fact that the nuclei of some atoms have an intrinsic angular momentum that aligns itself in a strong magnetic field. This property applies to hydrogen, among other elements. This is why tissues that contain a lot of water can be visualized particularly well. Abbreviation: MRI.
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- Glossary
Manic
A mental disorder characterized by changes in mood. Manic individuals are extremely restless. Symptoms can also include excessive self-confidence, compulsive talking, reduced need for sleep, and impulsiveness. Mania most commonly manifests as part of bipolar disorder, in which manic and depressive phases alternate. This clinical picture is associated with an imbalance of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Accordingly, psychiatrists often treat mania with neuroleptics, which are designed to weaken the effect of neurotransmitters.
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- Glossary
Mechanoreceptor
Mechanoreceptors are sensors that respond specifically to pressure, touch, vibration, or stretching. They are found in the skin, but also in muscles and tendons, and are specialized for different stimuli.
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medial
A positional term – medial means "towards the middle." In relation to the nervous system, it refers to a direction toward the body, away from the sides.
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Medial orbitofrontal cortex
The ventral (in humans, "lower") middle part of the frontal lobe. This part of the cortex influences complex mental processes such as planning, reward evaluation, and decision-making. Patients with lesions in the frontal lobe show personality changes and are often no longer able to control their impulses.
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- Glossary
Medial temporal lobe
The medial part of the temporal lobe contains the hippocampus and a number of other anatomically related structures: the entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortex. Together, they enable us to consciously remember facts and events. This region of the brain is also important for the formation of long-term memory. Deep inside the medial temporal lobe is the amygdala, which is involved in emotion processing, emotional salience, and emotional reinforcement of memories.
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- Glossary
Medulla oblongata
Area of the brain that transitions into the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata comprises nerve pathways between the spinal cord and higher brain regions, as well as numerous core areas with functions that are in some cases vital, such as breathing, heartbeat, and certain reflexes.
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- Glossary
Meissner’s corpuscles
Meissner’s corpuscles are a type of mechanoreceptor found in hairless skin, such as that on the fingertips. Meissner corpuscles respond to vibration, pressure, and touch.
