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- Act
- Motor Skills
The Effects of Exercise on the Brain
Stefan Schneider uses EEG to investigate how people can be motivated to exercise.
05.02.2026
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- Diseases
- Intruders
SARS-CoV-2: A Virus Hitting the Brain, too
Many patients suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms (Long COVID) after COVID-19
29.07.2026
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- Glossary
NMDA receptor
NMDA receptors are specialized receptor channels in the membrane of nerve cells that only open under very specific conditions. First, the neurotransmitter glutamate must bind to the receptor, and second, the receptor needs a cofactor such as glycine or D-serine. In addition, the postsynaptic cell membrane must be depolarized so that the magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) normally located in the channel pore is removed. If these conditions are met, an ion channel opens in the center of the receptor and allows calcium ions (Ca²⁺) in particular, but also sodium ions (Na⁺), to flow into the cell, while potassium ions (K⁺) flow out of the cell. The cell can respond to the influx of calcium in a variety of ways. NMDA receptors enable the brain to modify synaptic connections throughout life. They are crucial for forms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) and thus play a central role in the formation and storage of memory content.
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- Percieve
- Hearing
Ringing in the Ears
Tinnitus: The annoying whistling and buzzing does not originate in the ear, but in the brain.
28.10.2025
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- Basics
- Structure and Function
Connecting Nerves
Learning is as spiny path – as synapses vividly illustrate.
01.12.2020
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- Basics
- Structure and Function
Future Regeneration
The brain is amazing, but vulnerable – which makes effective treatments all the more important. In fact, there is hope: stem cell therapy works in mice.
30.04.2020
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- Basics
- Communication of Cells
Legalize it?! What are the medical benefits of cannabis?
Are cannabinoid-based drugs suitable for clinical use? Experts remain divided on the issue.
11.12.2025
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- Discover
- The Fly
Flies? Why flies?
Small but mighty! What an annoying fly teaches us about learning
17.01.2026
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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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- Act
- Meditation
Perceiving and Accepting – How Meditation Heals
Meditation alleviates many ailments. But scientists still know very little about why this is the case.
15.04.2014
