LTP in La Grande

Brain cells connect, and those points of connection, called synapses, are changeable. Synapses will strengthen (“potentiate”), or weaken (“attenuate”) in response to changes in synaptic activity, which is determined by what you’re doing, experiencing, and/or perceiving at the time. Highly stimulated neurons, for example, will change how they express genes,…

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Seeing & STEAM in Vancouver

“Science and art have in common intense seeing, the wide-eyed observing that generates empirical information.” –Edward Tufte NW Noggin crossed the Columbia River (at rush hour!) this spring to meet with curious students and families for STEAM NIGHT at Sarah J. Anderson Elementary..! LEARN MORE: Sarah J. Anderson Elementary Sarah…

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Mushrooms, Psychosis, & Drugs

Thank you OHSU Brain Institute (OBI) for yet another compelling season of Brain Awareness lectures at Portland’s Newmark Theater! LEARN MORE: OBI Brain Awareness Lectures NW Noggin is always thrilled to introduce our informed and enthusiastic neuroscience outreach volunteers to celebrated scientists discussing cutting edge research on the brain! This…

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A Legacy of Links

Like brain cells, Noggin volunteers love reaching out, and synapsing with people and organizations in our vibrant Northwest community. LEARN MORE: NW Noggin Collaborators Excitatory Connections At Portland State University, OHSU graduate students are integrated into advanced undergraduate neuroscience courses, while our accomplished PSU Neuroscience Club members not only present…

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Accumbens in Astoria

Post by Angela Hendrix, NW Noggin The nucleus accumbens is part of our brain’s mesolimbic dopamine pathway, and responds to aspects of our world which predict reward. The word ‘accumbens‘ also means to lie down… LEARN MORE: Dopaminergic reward system: a short integrative review NW Noggin ventured west of Portland…

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Noggins & Kings

Going places, going places  –  putting yourself out there, listening, and sharing sciart and noggins brings so many benefits, opportunities, relationships and ideas..! Last fall we traveled to San Diego for the annual Society for Neuroscience conference… LEARN MORE: Synapsing in San Diego @ SfN! We presented many posters, mentored exceptional young neuroscientists,…

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Brains to the Streets!

“Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is…delving in.” –Sally Ride We LOVED taking brains to the streets in 2017, after the Trump/Pence administration threatened to cut support for the National Institutes for Health. The NIH funds essential scientific research to address a host of national priorities, including…

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