Discusses research which provides evidence that an adult's vocabulary may be segmented into specific categories that can be disrupted "highly selectively" when the brain is injured. (JN)

By studying forgetfulness in humans and monkeys, scientists are learning about the anatomy of normal memory. Results of amnesia studies, indicating that memory collapse occurs in a selective fashion depending on the cause, may help resolve a fundamental dispute among learning theorists. (JN)

Describes the role of mushroom bodies--cup-shaped structures perched atop the brain of an insect--in learning. Mushroom bodies may help fruit flies in learning meaningful odors, cockroaches in spatial learning, and honeybees both in locating pollen and nectar and in navigating back to the colony. (PVD)

Presents a hypothesis about the biochemical processes involved in memory storage. The postulated mechanism is initiated by a signal that is unusual but not unlikely to occur and produces an irreversible change in a key component of synaptic chemistry. Other features of the mechanism and experiments supporting the hypothesis are considered. (JN)

Five resistive activities (activities which integrate symmetric tonic neck reflex and facilitate learning) for use with problem learners are briefly described. Reports on using resistive activities with learning disabled children are offered. (SBH)

Reports that people who are predominantly left-handed apparently are able to withstand moderate brain damage with relatively few of the motor problems observed in right-handed victims of brain damage. Other brain-related differences between left- and right-handed individuals are also noted. (JN)

Engineers seeking to develop intelligent computers have looked to studies of the human brain in hope of imitating its processes. A theory (known as cooperative action) that the brain processes information with electromagnetic waves may inspire engineers to develop entirely new types of computers. (JN)

Chemical actions in the brain result in cognitive, emotional, neuroendocrine, neuromuscular, and/or neurocirculatory effects. Developments in understanding brain chemistry are discussed, considering among others, neurotransmitter chemistry, neuropeptides, drugs and the brain, antidepressants, and actions of minor tranquilizers. (JN)

Investigative explanations of how the mind works and elaborates on the research and findings developed from a neurocognitive connectionist model. Presents several examples and illustrations of how the human brain may generate rules, recognize patterns, and adapt. (ML)

Basic behavioral neuroscience research with monkeys has given rise to an efficacious new approach to the rehabilitation of movement after stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other types of neurological injury in humans termed Constraint-Induced Movement therapy or CI therapy. For the upper extremity, the treatment involves…

Chemical messengers mediate long-range hormonal communication and short-range neural communication between cells. Background information on peptides, steroids, neuropeptides, and specialized enzymes is given. Investigations reveal that the two systems have many common intercellular messenger molecules. (DH)

Presents information on psychotropic drugs for individuals who are not specialists in pharmacology. Discusses: alcohol and barbituates; dependence and withdrawal; central nervous system depressors (anaesthetics, narcotic analgesics, sedatives and hypnotic drugs, tranquilizers), central nervous stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine, tobacco, caffeine),…

Explains how brain separates foreground from background in response to its continual need to simplify the surrounding environment; discusses educational/counseling implications of growing understanding of relevant brain mechanisms and processes; and suggests nontechnical explanations and discussion ideas that counselors can use when working with…

Discusses a theory suggesting that thoughts, feelings, dreams, and other workings of the mind are produced by chemical and electrical activity in the networks of nerve cells that make up the bulk of the brain. Opinions of a neuroscientist, anatomist, cognitive scientist, philosopher of science, and a biophysicist are provided. (BC)

Using ascorbic acid enzyme assays in conjunction with chronoamperometric measurements, reliable values for the principal electroactive components in the rat caudate extracellular fluid were established. Techniques used in the study are discussed. (JN)