Glossary

Here you will find all the key concepts and notions of neuroscience. An essential resource for those who would like to better understand the brain and how it works!

Word of the day

Serotonin: A neurotransmitter involved in mood management and associated with happiness. Often called the “happiness hormone”, serotonin activates or inhibits brain activity depending on the receptor to which it binds. Serotonin is essential for neurons to communicate with each other.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) :: Imaging technique used to obtain 2 or 3-dimensional views of organs or limbs.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) :: Technique for measuring magnetic fields induced by the activity of neurons in the brain or spinal cord.
Medical semiology :: Study of the signs (symptoms) of diseases.
Melatonin :: Hormone involved in the regulation of chronobiological rhythms such as wakefulness and sleep.
Meninges :: Envelopes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord.
Meningioma :: A brain tumour that develops in the meninges.
Metabolite :: Small molecule involved in metabolism.
Metacognition :: Ability to describe own mental processes.
Microcephaly :: Abnormally reduced growth of the brain and skull.
Microglia :: A system of immune cells present in the central nervous system.
Microscope :: An instrument for observing a small object in magnified form, visible to the naked eye.
Mitochondria :: A small organelle found in most cells.
Modelling :: Design of a model in which known variables, known as "explanatory" variables, are used to determine unknown variables, known as "variables to be explained".
Molecule :: A group of atoms (at least 2), which may or may not be identical, joined together by chemical bond(s).
Morphology :: Study of the shape of an element of the body of a living being, such as a cell or organ.
Motor neuron :: Motor neurons involved in the transmission of motor information from the brain to the spinal cord and peripheral organs.
Motricity :: All the functions associated with movement.
Mutation :
Myelin :: A substance made up mainly of lipids which serves to insulate and protect the axons of neurons.