Neuroscience Made Simpler
Clinical depression is a disorder that affects mood, thinking, and behavior. In this video, I discuss several hypotheses regarding the neurobiological mechanisms that may contribute to depression. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain s ability to change and adapt throughout life. In this video, I discuss the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, the situations in which it is likely to occur, and its overall effects. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
Ion channels are proteins found in the cell membrane that allow charged particles called ions to move into or out of a cell. In this video, I discuss the structure, function, and dysfunction of ion channels. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to areas of the brain involved in producing or understanding language. In this video, I discuss several of the most common aphasia syndromes: Broca s aphasia, Wernicke s aphasia, conduction aphasia, and global aphasia. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
If you’re interested in testing and strengthening your neuroscience knowledge, I’ve created a free Quiz Bank on my website. It includes: ✓ More than 500 multiple-choice questions covering key topics in neuroscience ✓ The ability to work through questions in a randomized order or focus on specific topics ✓ 13 different neuroscience topic areas to explore Whether you want to casually test your…
If you enjoy my neuroscience content and want to take your learning further, I ve created a free, self-paced Introduction to Neuroscience course on my website. It includes: ✓ 11 chapters covering essential neuroscience topics ✓ Self-paced learning ✓ Videos and articles covering key neuroscience concepts ✓ More than 265 multiple-choice questions to test your understanding Whether you re a student,…
For much of the history of neuroscience, glial cells were treated like structures that existed mainly to support and hold neurons together. In fact, the term glia comes from the Greek word for “glue,” reflecting this early assumption about their role. Over the last several decades, however, our understanding of glial cells has changed dramatically. We now know that glial cells are not just passive…
In this video, I explain how the brain changes across the lifespan, from early neural development to older adulthood. I cover the formation of the neural tube and its transformation into the nervous system, the maturation of the brain during adolescence and how it may contribute to stereotypical teenage behavior, and age-related brain changes and their effects on cognition. To watch the video,…
In this video, I explore the brain mechanisms underlying rewarding experiences and addiction. I discuss dopamine’s role in reward and addictive behavior, the major dopamine pathways (mesolimbic, mesocortical, and nigrostriatal), and a range of addiction-related brain changes, including hypofrontality, heightened sensitivity to drug cues, blunted dopamine signaling, tolerance, anhedonia,…
In this video, I explore the role of the hippocampus in memory. I begin with an overview of the different types of memory, then I focus on declarative memory—the form of memory most closely associated with the hippocampus. I cover the structure of the hippocampus and nearby regions, explaining how each contributes to the formation and retrieval of declarative memories. To watch the video, click…
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is often called a “mini-stroke.” TIA is a condition caused by disrupted blood supply to the brain, which results in temporary neurological symptoms without causing the death of brain tissue. In this video, I cover the pathophysiology, symptoms, and treatment of TIAs. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that exert opposing influences in the regulation of appetite and energy balance. In this video, I discuss the roles of leptin and ghrelin in appetite and their potential involvement in obesity. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
In this video, I discuss the anatomy and physiology of the basal ganglia—a group of structures that play a key role in movement as well as a variety of non-motor functions. I cover the direct and indirect pathways, additional circuitry involved in non-motor functions, and several basal ganglia disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and…
Color blindness is a condition in which a person has difficulty seeing or distinguishing certain colors. In this video, I explain the biological mechanisms underlying color blindness and how it is inherited. To watch the video, click the "continue reading" link below.
Beta blockers are a class of medications originally developed to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. In recent years, they have become an increasingly popular option to treat situational or performance anxiety. In this video, I discuss the pharmacological mechanism of beta blockers and how they are thought to relieve the symptoms of performance anxiety experienced during…