Topic: Brain Anatomy and Function

Brain Regions:

The brain is divided into several main regions, each responsible for specific functions:

Cerebrum: Largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right), responsible for
higher cognitive functions such as thinking, reasoning, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum: Located at the back of the brain, coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Brainstem: Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as breathing,
heart rate, and consciousness.

Limbic System: Includes structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, involved
in emotions, memory, and homeostasis.

Neurons and Neurotransmission:

Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information
through electrical and chemical signals.

Neurons communicate with each other through specialized junctions called synapses, where
neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and bind to receptors on the
postsynaptic neuron.

Neurotransmitters can have excitatory or inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic neuron, influencing
whether it will generate an action potential and transmit the signal to other neurons.

Brain Plasticity:

Brain plasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections
throughout life, in response to learning, experience, injury, or environmental changes.

Experience-dependent plasticity occurs when specific experiences or activities lead to changes in the
brain's structure and function, such as learning a new skill or recovering from a brain injury.

Neuroplasticity is crucial for processes such as learning and memory, rehabilitation after brain
damage, and recovery from neurological disorders.

Brain Imaging Techniques:

Various techniques are used to study the structure and function of the brain, including:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Provides detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic
fields and radio waves.

fMRI (Functional MRI): Measures changes in blood flow to different brain regions, allowing
researchers to infer brain activity during tasks or at rest.

EEG (Electroencephalography): Records electrical activity of the brain through electrodes placed on
the scalp, useful for studying brain waves and diagnosing neurological conditions.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Measures metabolic activity in the brain by detecting
radioactive tracers injected into the bloodstream, used to study brain function and disease.