Knowing Neurons- Neuroscience Articles, Infographics, SciArt, Book Reviews, and Videos.

A sleeping brain on the left versus a brain lifting weights on the right. Illustrated by Rajamani Selvam.

The Neuroscience of Motivation and How to Improve It

September 4, 2019September 4, 2019 Marco Travaglio 0 Comments Dopamine, Insula, Limbic, Mesolimbic Pathway, Motivation, MRI, neurotransmitter, Nucleus accumbens, Prefrontal Cortex, Reward-Seeking Behavior, Ventral Tegmental Area

Motivation can be a hard thing to come by. Whether at home, at school or at work, most of us have been in a situation where we know exactly what… Read more

Image split in half with two backgrounds, day and night, with a watch in the center. A face on the watch is half awake on the day side of the image and asleep on the night side. Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.

Collaborations Neuroscience Technologies Sleep

What I Learned from Tracking My Sleep with Fitbit for Two Months

August 28, 2019August 28, 2019 Joel Frohlich 0 Comments Blood Oxygenation, EEG, Fitbit, Non-REM Sleep, Photoplethysmography, Polysomnography, PPG, REM sleep, Sleep, Sleep Apnea

If someone had told me a year ago that he sleeps with his watch on at night, I’d probably wonder just how eccentric of a personality I was dealing with.… Read more

Infographics Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Canavan Disease [Infographic]

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 Rajamani Selvam 0 Comments Aspartoacylase, Autosomal Recessive, Brain Disorders, Canavan Disease, Development, genetic, Infographic, Leukodystrophies, myelin, White matter

Canavan Disease is a rare and fatal neurological disorder, in which the ability of neurons to transmit information is impaired due to damaged white matter in the brain. The disorder… Read more

Feature image of a labryinth next to an ear (as a play on the inner labryinth of the ear). Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.

Brain Basics Movement Neuro Primer Sensation and Perception Space Neuroscience

Neuro Primer: Vestibular System

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 Alexa Erdogan 1 Comment balance, BPPV, Cupula, Endolymph, Gravity, Microgravity, Movement, Orientation, Otolithic Organs, Otoliths, Saccule, Semicircular Canals, Sensation, Space neuroscience, Utricle, Vertigo, Vestibular Ocular Reflex, Vestibular system, VOR

Have you ever watched shaky camera footage taken by someone running frantically through the forest? The camera shot shakes and bounces, making it difficult to get a clear view of… Read more

"What is Consciousness?" Professor Dave Explains in collaboration with Joel Frohlich

Big Ideas Brain Basics Collaborations Consciousness Podcast

What Is Consciousness? [Podcast Collaboration]

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 knowingneurons 0 Comments Cerebellum, Collaborations, Consciousness, Integrated Information Theory, mind uploading, Podcast

What exactly do we consider “consciousness”? How much do we know about it already and how much more do we have to learn? Joel Frohlich of Knowing Neurons recently spoke… Read more

Image of a brain with the words Kluver-Bucy Syndrome underneath it. Illustrated by Rajamani Selvam.

Infographics Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

What is Klüver-Bucy Syndrome? [Infographic]

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 Rajamani Selvam 0 Comments Agnosia, Brain Tumor, Infographic, Kluver-Bucy Syndrome, Memory, Neurodegeneration, Neurological Disorder, Sexual Behavior, Temporal Lobe, Trauma, Viral Infection

Klüver-Bucy syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that causes damage to the brain’s temporal lobe. However, it is not life-threatening; medications and supportive therapy can help alleviate the symptoms. Learn… Read more

A cartoon image of a sun in the sky with golden rays extending outwards, with cannabis leaves on either side of the sun. Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.

Culture Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Does Cannabidiol (CBD) Actually Help Anxiety?

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 Grace Browne 0 Comments Amygdala, Anxiety, Anxiolytic, Autism, Cannabidiol, Cannabis, CBD, Cingulate Cortex, DEA, dementia, Dextromethorphan, Drug, EFSA, Epilepsy, FDA, fMRI, Marijuana, Neurotransmitters, Paranoia, Phytocannabinoids, Psychology, serotonin, Society, THC

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound of the Cannabis plant, has exploded in popularity in recent times, touted as a medical “cure-all”. Retailers promise their products will heal cancer, stop dementia… Read more

Illustration by Michal Roessler, next to book cover image of "Remembering" by Donald G. MacKay

Brain Books Learning and Memory

Book Review: Remembering

April 10, 2019April 9, 2019 Sean Noah 0 Comments Amnesia, Book Review, Brain Books, Donald G MacKay, Epilepsy, Frederic Bartlett, Henry Molaison, Hippocampus, Medial temporal lobe, Memory, Patient HM, Psychology, synaptic

In the early 20th century, Cambridge psychologist Frederic Bartlett radically reformulated the concept of memory. Until then the classical view, the earliest form of which could be traced back to… Read more

Image of synaptic cleft in the background with a large cupcake on the right, topped with sprinkles in the shape of pills. Illustrated by McCall Sarrett.

Big Ideas Culture Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Sensation and Perception

Are Foods Addictive or Just Delicious?

April 4, 2019April 7, 2019 Shaun Khoo 0 Comments Addiction, Basolateral Amygdala, Classical Conditioning, Cocaine, Dopamine, glutamate, Neurotransmitters, Nucleus Accumbens Core, obesity, Operant Conditioning, Pavlov, Psychology, Relapse, Sugar, Tolerance, Withdrawal

We are surrounded by an abundance of delicious food. Throughout the developed world, cooking shows saturate our televisions and streaming video feeds advertise greasy burgers and decadent chocolates. Our addiction… Read more

Brain Basics Neuro Primer Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Neuro Primer: Sleep

March 20, 2019June 5, 2019 Joel Frohlich 0 Comments Adenosine, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer’s disease, ascending activating system, atonia, Brainstem, Caffeine, Coffee, Dreaming, dreams, general anesthesia, Hypnogram, Hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, NREM, Optic Chiasm, parasomnia, Raphe Nucleus, rapid eye movement sleep, REM, REM sleep behavior disorder, Sleep, Sleep paralysis, suprachiasmatic nucleus, synchronization, tuberomammillary nucleus

It’s easy to ask: “Why sleep?” But we can also turn the question on its head: “Why wake?” We need to be awake, among other reasons, to find and eat… Read more

Infographics Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

What is Bell’s Palsy? [Infographic]

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 Rajamani Selvam 0 Comments Acupuncture, Analgesics, Bell's Palsy, Corticosteroids, CT, Electromyography, Facial Droop, Facial Nerves, Infection, Infographic, MRI, Muscles, Neurological Disorder, Paralysis, Physical Therapy

Bell’s Palsy is a neurological disorder that causes temporary weakness in the facial muscles and nerves. The disorder can be cured with medications and therapy. In this infographic, neuroscientist Rajamani… Read more

Aging Big Ideas Brain Development Learning and Memory Sensation and Perception

Music for the Mind: How Music Nurtures Cognitive Development

February 28, 2019February 27, 2019 Alexandria Weaver 2 Comments auditory, Cognition, cognitive development, Emotion, Emotional Awareness, Learning, Listening, Memory, mood, Music, Musical Therapy, Performance, Therapy, Visuospatial abilities

Imagine listening to your favorite song, how it makes you feel, and the flood of memories the sounds bring with them. Music is well known for its ability to evoke… Read more

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