Glossary of neuropsychiatry terminology

This post is a glossary of terms you might find in my other posts. Feel free to add your own in the comments and I will include them in the glossary.

Amygdala

A structure within the limbic system involved in processing emotions, particularly fear, aggression, and social responses. It helps mediate autonomic reactions (like increased heart rate) in response to emotional stimuli.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
The front portion of the cingulate gyrus, responsible for regulating emotional responses, decision-making, and conflict resolution. It is also involved in cognitive control and has been linked to conditions like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Association Gyrus
A type of ridge in the brain that connects different regions and helps integrate multiple types of information, such as memory and sensory input. For example, the superior frontal gyrus contributes to working memory.

Basolateral Complex (of the Amygdala)
A part of the amygdala involved in processing emotions and helping form emotional memories. It plays a key role in fear conditioning, which is the process by which people learn to associate a neutral stimulus with a fear response.

Brodmann Areas
Regions of the brain defined by their unique cellular structure, as mapped by German neurologist Korbinian Brodmann. These areas correspond to various functional zones, such as those involved in motor control, sensory perception, and decision-making.

Calcarine Sulcus
A groove located in the occipital lobe that houses the primary visual cortex (V1), which is responsible for processing visual information from the retina.

Central Sulcus
A deep groove separating the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. It divides the brain's motor cortex (responsible for movement) from the sensory cortex (responsible for tactile and sensory input).

Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the brain, composed of folded grey matter, responsible for higher-order functions like perception, cognition, and voluntary action.

Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, comprising the cerebral cortex and underlying structures. It is involved in sensory processing, motor functions, language, and decision-making.

Cingulate Gyrus
A curved ridge located above the corpus callosum, involved in regulating emotions and pain. It plays a role in linking behavioural outcomes to motivation and is part of the limbic system.

Corpus Callosum
A thick band of nerve fibres that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

Corticostriatal Loops
Circuits connecting the cortex (outer brain layers) with the basal ganglia (a group of structures involved in movement and habit formation). These loops help modulate motor planning and behaviour.

Declarative Memory
A type of long-term memory that involves recalling facts and events. The hippocampus is a key player in this process.

Default Mode Network (DMN)
A network of brain regions that becomes active during periods of rest or when individuals are engaged in self-referential thinking, such as recalling memories or contemplating future events.

Dentate Gyrus
A part of the hippocampus involved in the formation of new memories and spatial navigation. It is also one of the few regions where neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) continues into adulthood.

Dopaminergic Projections
Nerve pathways that transmit dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating movement, motivation, reward, and cognitive functions. These projections often originate in the ventral tegmental area and target the prefrontal cortex.

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)
A part of the prefrontal cortex involved in executive functions like working memory, cognitive flexibility, and planning. It is critical for adaptive problem-solving and decision-making.

Endocrine
Refers to glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various body functions, such as growth, metabolism, and mood.

Episodic Memory
A subtype of declarative memory that allows individuals to recall personal experiences and specific events from their past.

Extrastriate Areas (V2-V5)
Regions of the visual cortex that are responsible for higher-level visual processing, such as motion detection and object recognition.

Gyral-Sulcal Architecture
The pattern of ridges (gyri) and grooves (sulci) that cover the surface of the brain. This folding increases surface area and allows for more neurons to be packed into the cortex, enhancing cognitive capacity.

Hippocampus
A structure within the limbic system crucial for the formation of new memories, spatial navigation, and emotional regulation. It is often the first region to show damage in Alzheimer’s disease.

Hypothalamus
A small but important structure at the base of the brain that regulates autonomic and endocrine functions, such as temperature control, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.

Inferior Frontal Gyrus
Part of the frontal lobe, containing Broca’s area, which is responsible for speech production. Damage to this area can result in expressive aphasia, a difficulty in speaking fluently.

Inferior Parietal Lobule
A region in the parietal lobe involved in language comprehension, sensory integration, and attention. It plays a role in connecting the sensory world with motor actions.

Insula
A region of the brain located deep within the lateral sulcus, involved in processing interoceptive (internal) sensations like hunger, pain, and visceral feelings, as well as emotions like empathy and disgust.

Limbic System
A set of brain structures, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus, that supports functions such as emotion, behaviour, and memory. It is sometimes referred to as the "emotional brain."

Medial Preoptic Area
A part of the hypothalamus that regulates reproductive and social behaviours, such as mating and parenting.

Neurogenesis
The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. This occurs primarily in the hippocampus in adult humans and is influenced by factors such as physical exercise and environmental stimulation.

Occipital Lobe
A region at the back of the brain responsible for processing visual information. It contains the primary visual cortex, which interprets signals from the eyes.

Parahippocampal Gyrus
A ridge in the temporal lobe that surrounds the hippocampus and plays a role in memory encoding and retrieval.

Parietal Lobe
A region of the brain that processes sensory information, such as touch, spatial awareness, and navigation.

Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC)
The back portion of the cingulate gyrus, involved in self-referential thinking, memory retrieval, and the default mode network. It is one of the first areas to show damage in Alzheimer's disease.

Precentral Gyrus
A ridge in the frontal lobe that contains the primary motor cortex, responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
The front portion of the frontal lobe, involved in complex behaviours such as decision-making, planning, social interactions, and executive functions.

Primary Auditory Cortex
A region of the temporal lobe that processes sound information received from the ears. It is crucial for interpreting auditory signals, such as speech and music.

Primary Motor Cortex
Located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe, this region is responsible for generating neural impulses that control the execution of movement.

Primary Visual Cortex (V1)
The part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual information from the retinas. It is the first cortical area involved in visual processing.

Proprioception
The body's ability to sense its position and movement in space. This is mediated by sensory receptors in muscles and joints, allowing for coordination of movement.

Spatial Navigation
The process by which an individual uses sensory information to move through their environment and determine their location relative to surroundings. The hippocampus is involved in this cognitive function.

Striatum
A subcortical structure involved in motor control, reward processing, and habit formation. It forms part of the basal ganglia and plays a role in coordinating movement and behaviour.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
A region of the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms, helping to synchronize the body’s sleep-wake cycles with the external environment.

Synaptic Plasticity
The ability of synapses (connections between neurons) to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in activity. This process underpins learning and memory.

Temporal Lobe
A region of the brain located on the sides, near the temples, involved in auditory processing, language comprehension, and memory formation.

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)
A group of neurons in the midbrain that release dopamine to regulate motivation, reward, and emotional responses. It is heavily involved in the brain’s reward system.

Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC)
A part of the prefrontal cortex involved in emotion regulation, decision-making based on risk and reward, and social cognition. Damage to this area can result in poor judgement and impulsive behaviour.