Teen Brain Vocabulary

addiction

disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Neural pathways rewire to pathologically pursue reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

chronic stress

emotional pressure sustained for a prolonged period of time.

glutamate

excitatory neurotransmitter that binds to excitatory receptors, turning the neuron 'on'.

microglia

glia cells that activate in the case of infection or inflammation.

oligodendrocytes

glia cells that make myelin that goes around the axons of neurons.

astrocytes

glia cells that nourish neurons and clean up unwanted chemicals.

sulci

grooves on the surface of the cerebral cortex that make up part of the "wrinkles" of the brain's gray matter.

arborization

growth and branching out of dendrites.

glia

helper cells that allow neurons to survive. Different kinds accomplish different tasks.

melatonin

hormone produced by the brain's pineal gland that helps regulate circadian sleep rhythms.

oxytocin

hormone produced in the pituitary gland. This 'happy chemical' promotes the feeling of trust.

adrenaline

hormone that is released in highly stressful situations, raising the heart rate, dilating blood vessels, increasing oxygen, and redirecting blood away from the digestive tract and into the muscles and limbs in order to get away. Also called epinephrine.

long-term potentiation

long-lasting form of plasticity that is the main mechanism for learning and memory. This enhances synaptic transmissions between neurons.

cortisol

neurochemical that surges during stressful events. Produced by the adrenal gland, it suppresses the immune system because the body is focusing its energies on the stress response.

serotonin

neurotransmitter that flows when you feel important. One of the 'happy chemicals.'

dopamine

neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers. This happy chemical brings about a great feeling when you succeed at meeting your needs.

axon

part of the neuron that carries an impulse toward the synapse, which then transmits a chemical message to other neurons.

endorphins

produced by the body during exercise, interacting with opiate receptors to reduce our perception of pain. This happy chemical brings about brief euphoria that masks physical pain.

action potential

pulse of electrical activity that occurs when a neuron sends information down its axon.

frontal lobe

region of the brain responsible for many executive functions such as reasoning, planning, and other complex cognitive processes. Positioned at the front-most portion of the brain.

fight or flight

response that is encoded in our genes from our primitive ancestors who needed to survive.

synapse

structure at the end of a neuron through which an electrical or chemical message is passed to another neuron. All thinking, feeling, movement, etc., depends on the transmission of messages through these.

amygdala

structure deep within the brain, at the front of the temporal lobe, where emotions are processed.

ecstasy

synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Also called MDMA. The pure form is called molly.

temporal lobes

the areas that process smell and sound and complex visual-recognition processes. Located at the sides of the brain.

parietal lobes

the brain region located behind the frontal lobes and in front of the occipital that is responsible for various senses such as touch as well as for visuospatial processing.

endocannabinoid

the brain's own naturally occurring cannabinoids.

nucleus accumbens

the brain's reward center, responsible for releasing dopamine. Alerts us to the possibility of pleasure.

brain plasticity

the capacity of the brain to change structure and function, especially in response to the stimulation of repeated experiences. Highest during childhood, when the brain is developing, but also present during adulthood. It is the mechanism for learning and memory.

gray matter

the cortex, or part of the brain that contains neurons, as opposed to white matter, which underlies this cortical matter.

excitation

the driving force in our brains during which signals between neurons build brain connections. The strengthening of synapses can be summarized by the statement "cells that fire together wire together."

prefrontal lobes

the most anterior part of the frontal lobes that is responsible for, among many other tasks, modulating social behavior, decision-making, and personality expression. Located behind the forehead.

ventral tegmental area

the origin of the brain's dopamine system. Plays a large role in the brain's natural reward circuitry.

hippocampus

the part of the brain involved chiefly in the processing of memories. Located in the temporal lobes.

hypothalamus

the part of the brain responsible for major metabolic processes such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep. Located just above the brainstem.

white matter

the part of the brain that contains myelinated axon tracts responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical messages between neurons. Their fatty coating gives them this color.

cerebellum

the part of the brain that coordinates and regulates muscular activity.

occipital lobes

the part of the brain that houses the visual cortex. Located in the back.

limbic system

the part of the brain that includes structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory. Located on both sides of the thalamus and just under the cerebrum.

gyri

the ridges in the brain's wrinkled gray matter.

neuron

unique cell found in the nervous system that signals one another using neurotransmitters.

myelin

white matter that lines the axons, helping transmit the brain's signals faster and more efficiently. It covers many kinds of axons in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

neurotransmitter

chemical messenger released from one neuron, across the synaptic cleft, to a receptor site on the adjacent neuron.

post-traumatic stress disorder

comes about after someone is exposed to a stressful incident or event that threatens a person's safety or survival.

homunculus

a physical representation of the human body that is a neurological "map" of the anatomical divisions of the body. Located on the cortex of the brain.

THC

acronym for the main active, mind-altering ingredient in cannabis (pot).

GABA

acronym for the neurotransmitter that inhibits activity in the synapse, effectively turning the neuron 'off'.

dendrite

branch-like part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons. These structures make contact with the axons of nearby neurons, and usually the synapses are found on their spines.