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,…
“Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.” ― Khang Kijarro Nguyen We are unique, all 7.7 billion of us here in 2019 – a remarkable number that’s literally doubled over the last half century. Think of all those brains wiring up under particular circumstances, subjected to…
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…
“No one would ever say that someone with a broken arm or a broken leg is less than a whole person, but people say that or imply that all the time about people with mental illness.” ― Elyn R. Saks Once again thanks to the generosity of the OHSU Brain Institute (OBI),…
WHAT: OHSU Research Week: Alternative Careers in Science Panel WHERE: OHSU Auditorium, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239 WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 2:30 – 3:30pm “For a Ph.D. holder, the idea that any career can be classified as ‘alternative’ is obsolete.” –Ashrifia Adomako-Ankomah Ask questions and hear panelists (including Bill Griesar of NW Noggin)…
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” –Victor E. Frankl Spring is here! And spring in Portland means fascinating talks by leading neuroscientists – and, of course, brains, art and questions at the Newmark Theater, where Dr. Katie Witkiewitz…
“We are more than thankful for your time and for the amazing experiences you awarded our school! The kids and staff cannot thank you enough! On the way to the buses yesterday, the kids couldn’t stop sharing all the cool things they got to do with NW Noggin today at…
“Understand that sexuality is as wide as the sea. Understand that your morality is not law. Understand that we are you.” — Derek Jarman In this post, you will find… Sex: topical and controversial Rams who like rams Women live longer than men Are men and women the same or different?…
Guest post by Marc Thompson, a recent graduate of Chaminade University with a BS in Psychology. Marc joined us recently for NW Noggin outreach visits to Hosford Middle School in Portland Public Schools, and to HeLa High School in Vancouver, WA… As a new graduate student in Psychology, joining NW Noggin…
“If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected – those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most! – and listens to their…