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- Glossary
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger in the transmission of information between neurons at their synapses. It is primarily produced in the raphe nuclei of the brain stem and plays a key role in sleep and alertness, as well as emotional well-being.
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- Glossary
Reticular formation
The reticular formation is a network of numerous nuclei in the brain stem. It has a variety of tasks, for example, it is responsible for alertness, the integration of motor, sensory, and vegetative processes, and the sleep-wake cycle.
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- Glossary
Cerebellar peduncles
Three fiber connections on the right and left sides that connect the cerebellum to the brain stem. All afferent and efferent fibers of the cerebellum run through these connections.
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- Glossary
Midbrain
The midbrain is the uppermost section of the brain stem. Its regions are located around the aqueduct, a canal filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Prominent structures include the tectum, tegmentum, and substantia nigra.
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- Glossary
Central nucleus
The nucleus centralis belongs to the centromedial nucleus group of the amygdala. It has connections to the hypothalamus and nuclei of the brain stem and is involved in autonomous emotional responses such as fear reactions.
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- Glossary
Inferior olivary nucleus
The inferior olive – more precisely, the olive nucleus complex – is one of the largest nucleus complexes in the brain stem. It plays an important role in fine-tuning motor skills, as it forms the connection between the motor cortex and the cerebellum.
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- Glossary
Raphe nuclei
The raphe nuclei are located in the reticular system and are distributed throughout the brain stem. They belong to the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) and are the site of serotonin production.
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- Glossary
Vestibulo-ocular reflex
When we turn our head, our eyes automatically move in the opposite direction. This reflex ensures that a stable image is formed on the retina even when the head moves quickly. This is made possible by the connection between the semicircular canals of the vestibular system and the nerve nuclei of the eye muscles in the brain stem.
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- News from the Institutes
First mechanism for cognitive disorders in schizophrenia found
Not only neurons, but also oligodendrocytes are essential
21.08.2025
