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- Consciousness
What is Consciousness?
As obvious as it is, consciousness is difficult to grasp scientifically.
13.06.2025
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- Glossary
REM sleep
"REM" stands for "rapid eye movement" – and rapid eye movements are also characteristic of REM sleep. During the course of a night, we go through several such REM phases, which are interrupted by non-REM phases. REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements, low-amplitude brain activity of mixed frequencies, and reduced muscle tone. Pulse and respiratory rate, on the other hand, are increased. In addition, we dream particularly vividly and intensely during these phases. People who are awakened from REM sleep often report vivid, concrete, and emotional dreams, while those awakened from non-REM sleep tend to report more abstract dreams that resemble thoughts.
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- News from the Institutes
How the brain conquers space
International research team reveals mechanisms of 3D vision
13.02.2026
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- Discover
- Milestones
Hubel and Wiesel: Cutting the Lawn with Nail Scissors
Hubel and Wiesel worked diligently to establish fundamental knowledge about visual information processing.
26.09.2012
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- Percieve
- Hearing
A Labyrinth for Balance
A sophisticated labyrinth in the ear keeps our body balanced: the vestibular system.
17.10.2025
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Frontal Lobe
Motor skills and executive functions – the frontal lobe is the largest brain structure.
28.10.2024
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- Discover
- Milestones
Rita Levi-Montalcini: How Nerves grow
Despite being banned from her profession and persecuted, Rita Levi-Montalcini enjoyed a brilliant career in research.
28.09.2012
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Diencephalon
The diencephalon has four levels and performs a variety of tasks.
28.11.2025
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- Basics
- Anatomy
The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memory content.
23.08.2011
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- Glossary
Blind spot
A blind spot in visual perception caused by the anatomy of the eye: since the optic nerve leaves the eye at the optic disc, there are no photoreceptors there – and no perception can occur. This blind spot is not consciously perceived.
