The brain reward system or mesocorticolimbic circuit is a brain circuit that controls addictive behaviors, mood, feeding behaviors, positive emotions (e.g., pleasure), and learning [1]. 1. What Activates the Reward System? The reward system is activated every time we experience something rewarding. For instance, the reward system is triggered when eating something we really enjoy…
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)…
The gut flora (microbiota) plays an important role in human health through their metabolic function in breaking down ingested food to provide nutrients to cells and organs of the body. Among the metabolic products that are generated by the gut flora, proteins are critical for the function of the nervous system, such as serotonin, which…
