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- Glossary
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
A nucleus of the hypothalamus that plays a central role in circadian rhythms, including the sleep-wake cycle. It is the master clock, the body's most important internal clock, controlling melatonin production in the epiphysis. It receives direct input from the retinal ganglion cells.
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- Glossary
Nucleus
Nucleus, plural nuclei, has two meanings: in cell biology, it refers to the cell nucleus, which contains chromosomes, among other things. In neuroanatomy, it refers to a collection of cell bodies in the nervous system – in the central nervous system as gray matter, in the peripheral nervous system as ganglia.
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- News from the Institutes
Thirst and hunger neurons
New research shines light on how the brain interprets nutritional and hydration needs and turns them into action
31.03.2025
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- Grundlagen
- Anatomy
The Brain Stem
Only thumb-sized, the brain stem regulates the body's vital systems.
05.08.2025
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- Thinking
- Emotions
Learning the Meaning of Fear
The story of the brain that went forth to learn what fear was.
21.08.2025
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- Grundlagen
- Anatomy
The Vermis
The worm in our heads, inlcuding a tongue, pyramid, and more. But it's a good one, helping us walk.
01.10.2025
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- Glossary
Substantia nigra
A nucleus complex in the ventral mesencephalon that plays a central role in initiating and modulating movement. It appears dark due to neuromelanin. Its dopaminergic neurons project via the nigrostriatal pathways to the putamen and caudate nucleus. Failure of these neurons leads to the typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
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- Glossary
Striatum
The striatum is a central structure of the basal ganglia. It consists of the caudate nucleus and putamen; the nucleus accumbens is also functionally part of it as its ventral portion. As the most important input structure of the basal ganglia, the striatum plays an essential role in controlling movement sequences as well as in cognition, motivational processes, and the reward system.
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- Glossary
Medial geniculate body
The medial geniculate body (medial geniculate nucleus) is a nucleus of the thalamus (the largest part of the diencephalon). As the central switching point of the auditory pathway, it transmits impulses from the inferior colliculus to the auditory radiation. Together with the lateral geniculate body, it forms the metathalamus.
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- Grundlagen
- Communication in the Brain
Cells: Specialized Workers of the Brain
Several billion tiny cells are located in the brain. There they perform amazing work.
01.07.2025
