The blood-brain barrier is one of the human body’s most complex and intricate parts. Given the body’s vast vascular network, you would think everything in the blood gets transported everywhere. That is not the case with the BBB, so what can cross the blood-brain barrier? Only selected substances can cross the blood-brain barrier without intervention, such as water, small ions, lipophilic molecules, essential polar molecules, CBD and THC in cannabis, alcohol, caffeine, barbiturates, anesthetics, insulin, glucose, Melphalan, H2O2s, and ethanol....

Visual ability is a series of intricate networks of different cortexes within the occipital lobe. The primary visual cortex (V1) is the most researched and understood feature of the immense and complex visual process system. The V1 is considered a neuronal gateway as neuronal projections travel from the V1 to the extrastriate regions within the occipital lobe. The primary visual cortex (V1) is in the occipital lobe. This is the site of the brain’s optical processing system....

The anterior cingulate cortex plays a crucial role in complex neurological processes. This brain region is pivotal for solving problems and navigating the social world effectively. So, where is the anterior cingulate cortex located, and what are its principal functions? The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is part of the cerebral cortex and envelopes the corpus callosum. The ACC is involved in high-level cognitive functions like decision-making and problem solving, and psychological functions relating to social interaction, emotion, and empathic responses....

The human brain is a superb, complex organ. The brain consists of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Each region deals with different functions, but all work together to promote functionality within the organism. The spinal cord connects to the cerebrum via the brainstem, and this is where we find the Anterior Horn, but how much do we know about this essential part of the spinal cord? The spinal cord’s anterior horn is essential for striated skeletal muscles' movement....

The brain contains a cerebral ventricular system that houses four ventricles. The third and fourth ventricles connect through the cerebral aqueduct, which serves as a conduit for cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebral aqueduct is a narrow channel around 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter and is particularly susceptible to occlusion. Occlusions in the cerebral aqueduct lead to aqueductal stenosis. The cerebral aqueduct is located between the pons and cerebellum in the midbrain or mesencephalon....

Have you ever wondered how the brain communicates internally and with the rest of the body? What methods of communication does the brain apply, and how does it tell your body it needs sleep or coffee? Have you ever heard of the term corpus callosum? The corpus callosum connects the right and left hemispheres in the center. It contains more than 200 million myelinated axons. The corpus callosum is critical in body functions that require both hemispheres to work together to perform a task....

Decussation is the intersection of the right and left corticospinal tracts. The uncrossed anterior corticospinal tract refers to the few, variable-number fibers that do not cross. A corticospinal tract’s lateral portion is its major portion. The lateral region of a corticospinal tract is the most important part. Decussation is an important part of the human body and plays several roles. If you want to find out what decussation is and how it works, you’ve come to the right place....

Essentially, the motor cortex generates electrical impulses for voluntary motion. These signals are transmitted to the relevant body parts and elicit movement. Situated within the cerebral cortex, this region is responsible for coordinating, regulating, and executing voluntary actions. The motor cortex belongs to a hierarchical system. The motor cortex functions to facilitate voluntary movement. This area resides in the frontal lobe and is positioned anterior to the central sulcus; this region of the cerebral cortex involves higher-level operations....

The somatosensory cortex is responsible for receiving and processing sensory information collected across the body, which is sent through the somatosensory tracts. Going beyond processing the sensory information, the somatosensory cortex is also responsible for orchestrating the reactions to the stimuli. Even if we had a holistic view of every process the somatosensory cortex is involved in – which is not yet possible as we are still trying to grasp the cortex’s full responsibilities – I believe it would be difficult to fully comprehend the extent to which we rely on the somatosensory cortex....

The synaptic cleft is the space between two neurons. It is an essential tool that aids in migrating neurotransmitters from one neuron to another. The synaptic cleft forms part of a larger structure known as the synapse. The synapse includes the cleft and the post-synaptic and pre-synaptic membranes. The synaptic cleft is a gap found within the synapse. It is part of the circuit between neurons. It refers to the area where neurotransmitters travel from one neuron to the next....

Despite being a poorly understood brain region, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) generates much interest because of some of the roles it is speculated to play in higher-order cognition, such as decision-making. The prefrontal cortex and frontal lobes are believed to be necessary for reasoning, logical thought, and personality. The orbitofrontal cortex is a very complicated part of our brain. This article will discuss what the orbitofrontal cortex is, its functions, the consequences if it is damaged, the diagnosis and causes of damage, and treatment....

A pyramidal system is extremely complex. The way the fiber and fibers connections are set up in all of these cells of origin makes them look like a pyramid. As was thought for a long time, the pyramidal system won’t work autonomously from the neurogenic system. Instead, it works together with the extrapyramidal system to control involuntary and voluntary muscle movements. So, what exactly is a pyramidal system, and how does it work?...

The reticular formation is a powerful filter for all the data from sounds, tastes, and images around us, allowing you to focus on important information. This system’s primary function is to alert the higher brain centers to critical information while filtering unnecessary incoming signals. Destruction and severe damage to this formation can lead to profound coma and a vegetative state. The reticular formation originates from the vertebrobasilar system or the posterior circulation in the brain and doesn’t contain any distinct boundaries....