For questions about the biology of the nervous system.
6
votes
1answer
44 views
In a central pattern generator based on reciprocal inhibition, how does one “side” get picked over the other to start out?
Consider two neurons, A and B, which reciprocally inhibit each other. If both of the neurons receive input at the same time, it seems to me that no oscillation will occur between the two. Such would ...
6
votes
1answer
155 views
What is the brain power devoted to vision and haptics?
I heard a talk by Vincent Hayward on the sense of touch as a multi-modal system, where he claimed that the brain power devoted to haptics is at least as big as the one devoted to vision. I have found ...
5
votes
2answers
372 views
Is variation in human brain size related to mental functioning?
It seems that the head size of human beings has evolved to be relatively similar, yet there is still some amount of variation. While I'm sure the correlation is not absolute, I read that larger heads ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
Hebbian Learning Rule, Local or Global?
I just learned about the Hebbian Learning Rule. It essentially says "Neurons that fire together, wire together". I'm wondering if the learning rule is affected by the spatial distance of the two ...
5
votes
1answer
147 views
What is a neurobiological explanation of borderline personality disorder?
In other words, how do the brains of those with BPD differ from those who don't have BPD?
The Wikipedia article doesn't even contain any possible explanations whatsoever.
5
votes
1answer
165 views
Measuring changes in hemispheric dominance over time
I've recently started using my trackball left-handed after being right-handed my whole life. The motivation is partly to balance out wrist strain, and partly to see how much my brain rejects the idea.
...
5
votes
1answer
147 views
What are the effects of social rejection on the brain?
What are the effects of social rejection on the brain?
If the external circumstance can not change, how can the impact on the brain be reduced?
What is the average sensitivity to social rejection ...
5
votes
1answer
388 views
Which neurotransmitters can be measured in a living human brain?
I'm interested in learning more about the modern techniques that are used for scientific studies of neurotransmitters in the living human brain. As far as I know, there are 4 neuromodulator systems ...
5
votes
1answer
77 views
Neurotransmitters appearance in the evolutionary process
Recently I disagreed with the assumption, that lots of neurotransmitters came within recent 10,000 years of Homo Sapiens evolution.
Judging from the available information sources, there is possibility ...
5
votes
1answer
103 views
What computerized EEG analysis algorithms are there?
I got a commercial-grade EEG headband and am trying to look at the data it outputs. The headband quantifies raw EEG signal from a single forehead dry sensor into a range of EEG bands (alpha, beta, ...
4
votes
3answers
149 views
Theoretical limit to the use of mental faculty of the brain
A lot of articles stress the importance of having to train the brain (By training the brain, I mean the cognitive faculty of the brain for learning things and not brain's normal functions) since the ...
4
votes
2answers
66 views
How would synapses behave if resting potential was zero?
Assuming that the resting potential is zero and the other mechanisms were exactly the same, how would it affect the generation of spikes in terms of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic ...
4
votes
3answers
130 views
Is there a complete cortico-cortical connectivity map based on a useful partitioning of the cortex?
I have something like Brodmann Areas in mind, but any complete list of cortex regions would do. I'm primarily interested in human brains here. Ultimately I'd like enough information to be able to ...
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Does the Hodgkin-Huxley Model take into account the action of the ion pumps (e.g., Na-K-ATPase)?
After the firing of a neuron, the sodium and potassium concentration differences vanish.
It requires some time for cell to actively transport the ions in and out to re-establish the balance.
Does ...
4
votes
1answer
195 views
How can motivation be increased by improving brain chemistry with nutrition and activities?
I'm reading some material about motivation and brain chemistry.
One of the interesting articles is "7 Ways to Increase Motivation by Improving your Brain Chemistry". I'm interested in a more ...
4
votes
2answers
150 views
Does each sensory neuron type have a characteristic spike sequence pattern?
Background
It is known that all sensory information is input to the brain as neural spike sequences. Now, to distinguish between the spike sequences generated by retinal red/blue/green cone cells ...
4
votes
1answer
97 views
What neurobiological changes are associated with the end of the critical period in children?
Developing children are in a critical period during which they are much better at learning certain tasks like speaking a language. After the critical period ends, children have a qualitatively more ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views
How can the aversion response be explained neurologically?
If Dopamine and Dopamine D2 receptor is involved in craving, wanting and clinging towards something or incentive salience
Dopamine is closely associated with reward-seeking behaviors, such as
...
4
votes
0answers
30 views
What is the mechanism behind unihemispheric sleep in animals?
It is known that dolphins have the ability to sleep with only one half of their brain at a time.
According to this popular science source:
Dolphins sleep by resting one half of their brain at a ...
4
votes
0answers
112 views
What happens neurobiologically when people “think fast”?
This question is related to this one: How long can a person stay happy, excited and motivated about something new?
I found a couple of references to research that links "thinking fast" to mood lift:
...
4
votes
0answers
52 views
How can I test whether Dorsal Raphe Nucleus(DRN) activity at night is related to variations in mood?
I'm reading this paper, which discusses Serotonin activity in the Dorsal Ralphe Nucleus(DRN), and even includes some mathematical models of how serotonin is released and reabsorbed. The paper states ...
3
votes
2answers
246 views
Where is the visual “image” that we “see” finally assembled?
David Hubel's online book, Eye, Brain and Vision describes in great detail our early visual system. The image that we are conscious of when we open our eyes goes through a complex path:
The final ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Why are some people unable to easily memorize the lyrics to a song?
Although I have listened some songs hundred of times I can't sing the lyrics to any of these songs from beginning to end without pauses. However I am able to whistle the whole song without difficulty. ...
3
votes
3answers
143 views
What are the effects of implanting electrodes into the brains of monkeys?
If one implants electrodes into a monkey's brain in order to allow the monkey to control a mechanical arm, then is the monkeys able to move both it's natural and it's mechanical arms at once?
What ...
3
votes
1answer
236 views
How does posture affect cerebral blood flow?
This is a follow-up question to an answer on Quora:
In the upright posture, venous outflow is considerably less pulsatile
(57%) and occurs predominantly through the vertebral plexus, while in
...
3
votes
2answers
78 views
What brain skill does Nonogram (Picross) games develop?
I've been playing Nonogram Picross a lot lately. I really like it and you can always find a harder challenge but I would hate to waste my time for nothing.
What brain skill does Nonogram (Picross) ...
3
votes
0answers
45 views
How do SSRIs work?
I've found a reasonable explanation on Wikipedia...
SSRIs are believed to increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, ...
3
votes
0answers
34 views
When did neurotransmitters derived from monoamines first appear in evolutionary history?
When did neurotransmitters derived from monoamines first appear in evolutionary history?
What are main the points in evolution for monoamines based on the neurotransmitter system ?
Edition
I'm ...
3
votes
0answers
22 views
How many thalamocortical relay cells synapse onto each spiny stellate cell in neocortex?
I am curious about how many different thalamocortical relay cells synapse onto each layer IV spiny stellate cell, on average? The answer is likely to be different per region and species, of course. I ...
3
votes
0answers
33 views
What are the common nutritional deficiencies in western countries related to reduced mental performance?
What are the common nutritional deficiencies in western countries related to reduced mental performance ? I've heard about omega 3, folid acid, and vitamin D deficiencies, the last two are now reduced ...
3
votes
0answers
37 views
Structural descriptions of neuronal networks are important for understanding brain dysfunctions; which dysfunctions, in particular?
In a recent paper, we find this quote:
The brain contains vast numbers of interconnected neurons that constitute anatomical and functional networks. Structural descriptions of neuronal network ...
3
votes
0answers
29 views
What regulates the strength of motoric signals?
I've seen cognitive/roboter models where the input signals from the sensors are directly used as the signal for outgoing motoric control.
This doesn't make much sense, because obviously we're able ...
3
votes
0answers
58 views
How is light processed by the human brain when awake and in dreams?
I've recently seen this great video: How your brain tells you where you are. The video discusses how certain cells within the brain fire based on proximity to objects. There are great examples of ...
3
votes
0answers
140 views
Is human Central Nervous System arousal related to choice of activity?
I'm interested in learning more about the central nervous system (CNS) arousal and the choice of what people do and how they feel about it.
Lets define CNS arousal in the context of this question as ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views
How are qualia localized in consciousness?
I understand that evolution incorporated arbitrary qualia into the default network to inform consciousness (the largest cranial global processing information subnetwork) about properties and qualities ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Abstract idealized mental visualization improves motor task performance
I practice martial arts (Aikido), which involves a lot of rotation.
When practicing, I find that holding an abstract image in my head, instead of thinking about the actual technique, improves my ...
2
votes
3answers
132 views
Computational Neuroscience software
What are the most common software tools you use in your day to day work in computational neuroscience?
I am referring to neuroscience tools like GENESIS and NOT to generic tools like Excel.
2
votes
1answer
143 views
Physiological differences between brains of Conservatives and Liberals
I work for a non-profit research organization and I have been assigned to do research on this topic. I have been doing my best to find studies on this topic but every website and article seems to ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Can prolonged neural adaptation lead to HPPD?
The human brain adapts to a constant stimulus of our neural system. For instance, if we ride a train and look out of the window for a long time and the train stops, we have the feeling of slowly ...
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Is the energy of an action potential divided among multiple axon terminals?
My understanding is that the bulk of an axon is myelinated, greatly adding to the efficiency of transmitting action potentials. However, the axon terminals are not myelinated. I'm wondering if the ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
How can pain sensations appear to originate within the person's skull?
I've read that humans have some sort of a kinesthetic model of their body and muscles. This internal representation of the body is used to control and coordinate locomotion. I don't remember if ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
Are there useful applications for three channel consumer EEG?
I stumbled upon the consumer EEG Melon (at Kickstarter). It has three electrodes and is advertised as measuring how "focused" you are. In the FAQ it says:
The Melon headband has three electrodes. ...
2
votes
0answers
35 views
How much information does the somatosensory system produce?
Are there any approximations of how many bits of information human somatosensory system produces? Especially mechano-receptors as measured in average number of bits per area of skin per second?
I've ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
How do humans perceive height or vertical drop?
I'm looking at this video: Neil Burgess: How your brain tells you where you are, which discusses neurons within the brain that help people remember where stuff is in relation to other objects.
I'm ...
2
votes
0answers
42 views
Do widespread brain toxins explain violence rates?
Saw this: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/01/lead-crime-link-gasoline
Lead emissions from tailpipes rose steadily from the early '40s
through the early '70s, nearly quadrupling over ...
2
votes
0answers
75 views
Is happiness a result of cognitive or a side effect of neurobiological processes? [closed]
This morning I've heard this talk on Ted.com:
Matt Killingsworth: Want to be happier? Stay in the moment
The presenter is discussing an iPhone app used to track happiness, and seems to draw a ...
2
votes
0answers
150 views
Are end-stage Alzheimer's patients still conscious? [closed]
I asked the same question at Reddit here, but none of the responses were convincing.
So here's the thing: to the extent of what we know about consciousness, are end-stage Alzheimer's patients still ...
1
vote
3answers
135 views
Getting started with EEG data
I want to get started with getting signals from EEG and learning on how I can read data. I have some programming skills, so designing a database and manipulating data with ruby (python seems also ...
1
vote
1answer
144 views
Neural basis of primitive reflexes [closed]
The Wikipedia article on primitive reflexes states that they originate in the CNS. So far, I haven't been able to find precisely where in the CNS any of these reflexes originate. Here's the list of ...
1
vote
1answer
175 views
Are there axioms in the mind? [closed]
While studying artificial neural networks, I stumbled upon the following question:
Are there any hard-wired axioms in the brain that must exist equally in every conscious mind?
I could imagine that, ...
