Search
-
- Basics
- Anatomy
The Hypothalamus
Nutrition and reproduction – these activities are controlled by the hypothalamus at the neural and hormonal levels.
01.07.2025
-
- News from the Institutes
How a gene shapes the architecture of the human brain
Organoids provide insights into brain development with unprecedented precision
27.11.2025
-
- Basics
- Communication of Cells
The Human Brain Project: Review/Preview
The Human Brain Project has come to an end. It was more than the initial visions of its founder – as its legacy shows.
06.11.2023
-
- Glossary
Subiculum
The transition zone between the cornu ammonis and the entorhinal cortex is called the subiculum.
-
- Glossary
Ventral tegmental area
Located in the midbrain, the uppermost section of the brain stem, is the ventral tegmental area (VTA) – a central component of the reward system. The area itself is not particularly large, but its influence is immense: the neurons of the VTA send their axons to the nucleus accumbens and widely into the prefrontal cortex (PFC), where they release the neuromodulator dopamine. In this way, they enhance learning processes, but can also contribute to the development of addictions.
-
- 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.
-
- Glossary
Ventrolateral nuclei
The lower lateral nucleus group of the thalamus is responsible for motor function (movement). It receives inputs from the cerebellum and basal ganglia and has outputs to motor and premotor areas of the cerebral cortex.
-
- Glossary
Olfactory tract
Smell information travels via the olfactory tract from the olfactory bulb, located just above the nose, to the primary olfactory cortex.
-
- Glossary
Inferior occipital gyrus
Part of the occipital lobe, the rearmost of the four large lobes of the cerebral cortex. Functionally, this is where visual information is processed. The inferior occipital gyrus is part of the early visual association areas.
-
- Glossary
Cortical blindness
When the primary visual cortex is destroyed, those affected are effectively blind, even though their eyes are undamaged. However, they are often unconsciously able to grasp and catch objects and even name them when asked to guess. This effect is known as blind sight.
