The brain performs an incredible number of tasks and nervous system is a network of specialized tissues that regulates thoughts, sensations, basic body functions and more. Explore the many functions of the brain & the central nervous system.
Compare neuroscientists with crackerjack detectives like Nancy Drew and Hercule Poirot, and the brain docs might come up short. After all, they have yet to crack the case on five big brain mysteries. See more »
Parents just don't understand. Scientists didn't understand either, until they got a good look inside the teenage brain -- and what they saw turned what we thought we knew on its head.
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You're brain is an amazing organ, but how much do you really know about your own brain? Take our Brain Quiz to find out.
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Brain mapping is an ongoing effort to provide a complete picture of the brain's structure. It's a massive project, but scientists could use it to diagnose and treat diseases, test psychotropic drugs and even figure out where sarcasm comes from.
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To achieve stability despite quick eye movements, the eyes take before and after shots of an image and compare them. Now, scientists may have finally discovered how.
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You touch a hot object and immediately drop it. It happens so quickly you don't even think about it. How does this happen? Your nervous system coordinated everything.
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You've just touched a hot stove -- and probably felt an immediate sharp pain, then a dull ache. How do we sense pain, and why does it eventually go away?
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Every animal you can think of -- mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians -- all have brains. But the human brain is unique. It gives us the power to think, plan, speak and imagine.
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When you envision the distant future, you might picture flying cars and wars with aliens. But besides being strapped to jet packs, what will humans be like? Will our new big brains put today's homo sapiens to shame?
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Compare neuroscientists with crackerjack detectives like Nancy Drew and Hercule Poirot, and the brain docs might come up short. After all, they have yet to crack the case on five big brain mysteries.
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Dyslexia is a learning disorder that makes reading difficult or nearly impossible for some. How does this condition affect the brain?
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If bigger is better, then some of us have the advantage when it comes to brainpower. Human brains (and noggins) don't all look the same. Does size really matter? And if it does, who comes out on top?
See more »The more you know about your memory, the better you'll understand how you can improve it. Get details on how your memory works and how aging affects your ability to remember.
See more »Worried about memory loss? Fear not, there are still lots of lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent it, such as managing stress. Learn more about memory-saving lifestyle changes in this article.
See more »The nervous system is a complex network of specialized tissues that regulates thoughts, emotions, actions, sensations, and body functions. It has two major divisions: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
See more »Adrenal glands can secrete various chemicals into the body to deal with varying levels of stress. Watch this animation to see how it works.
See more »The cerebral arteries supply blood to the brain. This animation describes how aneurysms can form at weak sections of these arteries.
See more »Athetosis is a condition characterized by writhing movements that are caused by damage to the brain. Watch this animation to learn how this condition affects the body.
See more »The brain is composed of three parts: the cerebrum the cerebellum and the brain stem. See how they work together in this detailed animation.
See more »The sensation of pain begins with nerves beneath the skin that detect tissue damage. How do these "pain receptors" send a signal all the way to the brain?
See more »Your central nervous system controls everything from fight or flight responses to pain reactions. Watch this animation to see nerve conduction in action.
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Learn more about what ails you. Here are some common symptoms.
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