Amygdala: The brain’s “alarm” center and the region associated with the emotions of fear and anxiety; is involved in emotional learning and memory. Its activity is increased by stress, trauma, selfish behavior, resentment, guilt and relational conflict, and is calmed by worshiping a God of love, by engaging in meditation and altruistic behaviors, by resolving guilt and resentment, and by involvement in supportive relationships.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): The brain region considered to be the neurological “heart.” It is the seat of will (choice) and involved in empathy, altruism, sympathy, other-centered love and compassion. It is damaged by excessive limbic system activity, such as addictions, unremitting fear and anxiety, and is strengthened by meditating on God’s character of love, exercising self-discipline and engaging in altruistic behaviors.
Axon: The cable-like extension from a neuronal cell body, through which the neuron sends signals.
Dendrite: The cable-like extensions from a neuronal cell body, through which the neuron receives signals.
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC): The brain region primarily associated with reason, the ability to strategize, plan, organize, attend, mentally focus, problem-solve and provide cognitive control. It is damaged in all disorders in which the above abilities are impaired (intoxication, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], schizophrenia, depression, mania, Alzheimer’s disease).
Glia (microglia, astroglia, oligodendricytes, Schwann cells): Brain cells that compose the white matter of the brain and provide nutritional support to keep the neurons healthy and improve signaling between neurons.
Hippocampus: The brain region associated with memory and new learning and the region that registers the rise in stress hormones and signals the hypothalamus to stop its call for more stress hormones.
Hypothalmus: The brain region that responds to the brain’s emotional signals and directs the functioning of the pituitary gland.
Neuron: A “nerve” cell, composing the gray matter of the brain. Neurons are the brain cells that think, perceive and act. They communicate with electrical and chemical signals.
Orbital Prefrontal Cortex (OPFC): The brain region associated with correcting and inhibiting socially inappropriate behavior. Its activity is increased in depression and decreased in intoxication, mania and ADHD.
Pituitary Gland: The “master gland,” which receives direction from the hypothalamus and sends hormone signals to the body’s glands, governing their functions.
Synapse: The small gap between axons and dendrites in which chemicals pass, allowing one neuron to signal another neuron.
Thalamus: The brain’s central hub for the relay of sensory and motor signals from one part of the brain to another. Its activity is essential for consciousness, is involved in sleep regulation, and contributes to a sense of what is real and what is not real.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC): The brain region associated with moral and ethical decision making, emotional processing, empathy, and which finds meaning in life events. Its activity is decreased in depression and increased in mania.