Odorous substances in the air are processed through the following steps: 1. What Part of the Brain Is Most Responsible for Smell? There are several and important parts of the brain that are responsible for smell; however, the olfactory bulb is responsible for transmitting the olfactory (smell) information from the olfactory nerves to the brain…
Neuroinflammation is the inflammation of the brain or the spinal cord due to the production of cytokines, chemokines, secondary messengers, and reactive oxygen species. 1- What Are cytokines? Cytokines are small proteins that are produced by white blood cells, such as lymphocytes T and lymphocytes B, and endothelial cells, mast cells, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal cells….
Fish is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that have been shown to lower the risk of cognitive disorders such as impairment of learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving. 1- What Are Omega 3 Fatty Acids? Lipids or fats are made from saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of fatty…
Neurotransmitters are messengers that transmit specific chemical instructions from a neuron to another neuron and from neurons to tissues and organs. The 7 major neurotransmitters are: Neurotransmitters are produced by neurons and released in gaps that are found between neurons and between neurons and organs. These junctions are known as synapses. When neurotransmitters are released…
Short-term memory (STM) is the ability of the mind to consciously store, maintain, and manipulate phonological (speech sound), spatial, and visual information for limited periods of time. Therefore, STM contributes to the learning of new information and aspects of speech comprehension and production. However, STM loss is observed during aging (after 55 years of age)…
White matter is parts of the brain that comprise myelinated axons, while grey matter comprises neurons bodies, axon terminals, dendrites, and synapses. Myelin that covers the white matter axons is essential for the fast transmission of electrical signals to the grey matter nerve cells, and therefore, plays a key role in learning and brain function…
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as aging-related neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries result in severe cognitive deficits that are associated with atrophy of the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in short-term and long-term memories, and in the processing of spatial memory that controls navigation [1]. Exercise and physical activity have been shown to reduce or slow down these cognitive…
The hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with the accumulation of “senile” plaques that are composed of amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein that surround neurons in affected regions. This accumulation results in loss of neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, leading to progressive cognitive decline such as memory defects. A connection between the brain and…
