Knowra Neuromodulation Neuromodulation Neuromodulation is the adjustment of neural activity through signals that alter how circuits respond. It changes properties such as neuronal excitability, synaptic strength, and responsiveness rather than simply carrying a moment-to-moment message.
Neuromodulator : A chemical signal that changes neuronal excitability or synaptic transmission across one or more neural circuits. These chemical signals are the main agents of neuromodulation in the brain.
Dopamine : A catecholamine neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, learning, and other functions. Dopamine modulates circuits through receptor-specific effects on excitability and plasticity.
Deep brain stimulation : A treatment that delivers electrical pulses through implanted electrodes to targeted brain regions. It alters pathological circuit activity with electrical stimulation rather than chemical signals.
Neurotransmission : The process by which neurons communicate through electrical or chemical signals. Neuromodulation is one way neural communication is regulated within this broader process.
G-protein-coupled receptor : A cell-surface receptor that activates intracellular signaling through heterotrimeric G proteins. Many neuromodulators act through these receptors to produce slow, persistent changes in neurons.
Serotonin : A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite, and sensory processing. Serotonin can produce diverse circuit effects because it acts on multiple receptor types.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation : A noninvasive technique that uses magnetic pulses to induce electrical currents in the brain. It provides a clinical method for changing activity in selected cortical networks.
Synaptic transmission : Communication between neurons through signals released across a synapse. It often conveys a relatively direct signal, while modulation changes the synapse's response conditions.
Second messenger system : An intracellular signaling pathway that relays receptor activation through molecules such as cyclic AMP or calcium. These pathways carry neuromodulator effects from receptors to cellular machinery.
Norepinephrine : A catecholamine neurotransmitter and hormone that supports arousal, attention, and responses to stress. Norepinephrine adjusts neural responsiveness during alertness and changing task demands.
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