The following are some neuro lingo that you may find throughout the site. It may be interesting also to you the glossary to put your knowledge of your nervous system and your health to the test.
You can search for a particular term, or click on a letter to browse entries.
There are currently 12 names in this directory beginning with the letter B.
Barbiturates
A group of pharmaceutical drugs that cause sedation in a person's nervous system by activating a specific neural receptor called GABA-A. Major effects of these drugs include calmness, sleepiness and euphoria. An example is phenobarbital, which is an epilepsy drug.
Basal Ganglia
A group of specialized brain cells that are associated with control of your voluntary motor movements, learning, habitual movements (like riding a bike) thinking and emotions.
Bell's Palsy
Also known as facial palsy, typically a syndrome of one-sided weakness of facial muscles, which can occur as a nerve reaction to infection, inflammation pregnancy and other medical conditions.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
A neurological disorder, also known as BBPV, a common cause of vertigo. Vertigo which is a spinning sensation, can last for seconds or minutes. It can be repeatedly provoked by changes in a person's head position relative to gravity, for example, when a person lies back or rolls over in a bed.
Benzodiazepine Agonists
A group of pharmaceutical drugs that cause sedation by activating a specific neural receptor called GABA-A. Major effects of this drug class include sleepiness, relaxed muscles, behavioral changes and incoordination. An example is diazepam or Valium.
Benzodiazepines
A group of pharmaceutical drugs that cause sedation of a person's nervous system by activating a specific neural receptor called GABA-A. Major effects include calmness, relaxed muscles and sleepiness. Examples include: Diazepam (Valium) and Clonazepam (Klonopin). They are used to treat neurological symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, as well as disorders such as epilepsy.
Beta Blockers
A group of pharmaceutical drugs that work by blocking the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline), which causes a lowering of blood pressure. These drugs are used to treat hypertension as well as certain neurological conditions such as performance anxiety and migraine headaches.
Beta Waves
A type of brain wave which corresponds to your active mental state as measured on an electroencephalogram (EEG). In this state we problem solving and think critically.
Beta-Amyloid
A protein that forms a plaque like substance within the brain of people with Alzheimer's Disease.
Bipolar Disorder
A neuro behavioral disorder with symptoms of extreme mood swings, including mania and depression.
Blood Brain Barrier
A protective membrane between you brain and blood vessels which limits what substance can be transferred from your blood stream into your brain tissue