Category: Neurociencia/Neuroscience

La neurociencia es un campo de la ciencia que estudia el sistema nervioso y todos sus aspectos; como podrían ser su estructura, función, desarrollo ontogenético y filogenético, bioquímica, farmacología y patología; y de cómo sus diferentes elementos interactúan, dando lugar a las bases biológicas de la cognición y la conducta. Representa un área multidisciplinar que abarca muchos niveles de estudio y diferentes subdiciplinas, tales como la neurociencia cognitiva, la neurociencia computacional, la neurofisiología, la neuroanatomía, la neurología, la neurolingüística, la neurobiología o la neuropsicología, entre otras.

Neuroscience is a field of science that studies the nervous system and all its aspects; such as its structure, function, ontogenetic and phylogenetic development, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology; and how their different elements interact, giving rise to the biological basis of cognition and behavior. It represents a multidisciplinary area that encompasses many levels of study and different sub-disciplines, such as cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurology, neurolinguistics, neurobiology or neuropsychology, among others.

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Three short divulgation essays – 3 Increasing well-being: the neuroscience of good habits

Well-being is a broad concept encompassing multiple dimensions, all unified by subjective states of positive mood and long-term pleasure. Despite the overestimation of the impact of certain methods such as supplements or therapies without sufficient scientific backing, there are habits with strong empirical evidence that significantly enhance well-being. This essay explores, from a neuroscience perspective, the impact of exercise, meditation, sleep, and nutrition on well-being. It highlights that exercise not only improves physical health but also plays a crucial role in mental health by alleviating anxiety and depression, enhancing cognition, and increasing resilience to stress. Likewise, meditation has positive effects on emotional regulation, pain control, and brain plasticity, with demonstrated benefits at the structural and functional levels of the brain. Continue reading Three short divulgation essays – 3 Increasing well-being: the neuroscience of good habits

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 3 Aumentando el bienestar: la neurociencia de los buenos hábitos

El bienestar es un concepto amplio que abarca múltiples dimensiones, todas unificadas por estados subjetivos de ánimo positivo y placer a largo plazo. A pesar de la sobreestimación del impacto de ciertos métodos como suplementos o terapias sin suficiente respaldo científico, existen hábitos con fuerte evidencia empírica que mejoran significativamente el bienestar. Este ensayo explora, desde la neurociencia, el impacto del ejercicio, la meditación, el sueño y la alimentación en el bienestar. Se destaca que el ejercicio no solo mejora la salud física, sino que también desempeña un papel clave en la salud mental al aliviar la ansiedad y la depresión, mejorar la cognición y aumentar la resiliencia al estrés. Asimismo, la meditación tiene efectos positivos en la regulación emocional, el control del dolor y la plasticidad cerebral, con beneficios demostrados a nivel estructural y funcional del cerebro. Continue reading Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 3 Aumentando el bienestar: la neurociencia de los buenos hábitos

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Three short divulgation essays – 2 The neuroscience of creativity

Creativity is a complex process involving the discovery of common patterns between previously unrelated concepts. From a neuroscientific perspective, creativity is linked to the activity of various brain networks, dopamine, and divergent thinking. Neuroimaging studies have shown that there is no single “creative hemisphere”; rather, creativity emerges from the interaction of multiple brain areas. Additionally, there is a connection between creativity and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, due to the way the brain processes information and reward. Continue reading Three short divulgation essays – 2 The neuroscience of creativity

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 2 La neurociencia de la creatividad

La creatividad es un proceso complejo que implica el descubrimiento de patrones comunes entre conceptos previamente no relacionados. Desde una perspectiva neurocientífica, la creatividad está vinculada con la actividad de diversas redes cerebrales, la dopamina y el pensamiento divergente. Estudios en neuroimagen han demostrado que no hay un único “hemisferio creativo”, sino que la creatividad emerge de la interacción entre múltiples áreas del cerebro. Además, existe una conexión entre la creatividad y trastornos mentales como la esquizofrenia y el trastorno bipolar, debido a la forma en que el cerebro procesa la información y la recompensa. Continue reading Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 2 La neurociencia de la creatividad

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Three short divulgation essays – 1 The neuroscience of coffee

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with caffeine as its main active compound, exerting stimulating effects on the nervous system. It blocks adenosine receptors, leading to increased alertness and activation. Additionally, it influences dopamine release, creating a sense of well-being, though it may also contribute to dependence and tolerance. Regular consumption alters neurotransmitter receptors and raises cortisol levels, inducing stress states. Despite its negative effects, numerous studies link coffee to health benefits, including reduced risk of certain diseases. However, its impact on anxiety, cholesterol, and stomach acidity raises debate about whether its consumption is overall beneficial or harmful. Continue reading Three short divulgation essays – 1 The neuroscience of coffee

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 1 La neurociencia del café

El café es una de las bebidas más consumidas en el mundo y su principal compuesto activo, la cafeína, tiene efectos estimulantes sobre el sistema nervioso. Actúa bloqueando los receptores de adenosina, lo que permite un mayor estado de alerta y activación. Además, influye en la liberación de dopamina, lo que puede generar una sensación de bienestar, aunque también puede llevar a dependencia y tolerancia. Su consumo regular provoca cambios en los receptores de neurotransmisores y puede aumentar el cortisol, induciendo estados de estrés. A pesar de sus efectos negativos, numerosos estudios han relacionado el café con beneficios para la salud, como la reducción del riesgo de ciertas enfermedades. Sin embargo, su impacto en la ansiedad, el colesterol y la acidez estomacal genera debate sobre si su consumo es positivo o negativo en términos generales. Continue reading Tres ensayos cortos de divulgación – 1 La neurociencia del café

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Sleep’s effects on memory and generalization: continuation

The role of sleep in memory consolidation and generalization is complex and multifaceted. Sleep strengthens memory consolidation by facilitating the integration of new information into long-term memory networks, with processes like fast mapping enabling rapid cortical plasticity. Sleep is believed to play a role in generalization by transforming specific episodic memories into more abstract semantic knowledge, though research shows mixed findings on the effects of sleep on generalization. Studies on spatial memory, language learning, and fear conditioning reveal that sleep can either support or hinder generalization depending on the context, with REM sleep often playing a significant role. Moreover, mechanisms such as sleep spindle activity and targeted memory reactivation during sleep further influence the consolidation and generalization of both factual and emotional memories. However, not all types of learning benefit equally from sleep, suggesting that sleep’s effects on memory and generalization are task-specific. Continue reading Sleep’s effects on memory and generalization: continuation

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Sleep’s effects on memory and generalization

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and the ability to generalize knowledge. Research suggests that sleep enhances associative memory, facilitates integration of new information into existing schemas, and aids in the abstraction of general rules. Both REM sleep and slow-wave sleep (SWS) contribute to these processes through distinct neural mechanisms, including hippocampal reactivation and neocortical restructuring. However, discrepancies exist regarding the extent of sleep’s effect on generalization, with some studies indicating that wakefulness might play an equally important role. While sleep appears to decontextualize memories, allowing for broader application, its benefits are not uniform across different types of learning tasks. Continue reading Sleep’s effects on memory and generalization

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Savants’ skills – A short review

Savant Syndrome is a phenomenon where individuals with severe brain impairment exhibit extraordinary abilities in specific areas such as music, calculation, and memory. Various theories have been proposed to explain these abilities, including hyperfunctioning memory models, paradoxical facilitation, and autism-related models. Recent research suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may induce savant-like skills in neurotypical individuals, possibly by reducing inhibition in specific neural networks. Studies have shown improvements in visual memory, reduction of false memories, and increased numerical accuracy after TMS application. Additionally, cases of acquired Savant Syndrome following brain injuries suggest that certain cognitive abilities may be latent in all individuals but are typically inhibited by the brain. Continue reading Savants’ skills – A short review

Neurociencia/Neuroscience

Drugs, Reward and the Brain

This essay explores the complexity of human motivation, particularly in the context of drug use and addiction. It challenges the simplistic notion that human actions are driven solely by the pursuit of pleasure or avoidance of pain, arguing instead for an expanded concept of “reward” as the primary motivator. Drawing on various models of addiction, including incentive-sensitization theory and hedonic-allostasis theory, the essay examines how drugs interact with neural circuits related to reward and motivation. It also highlights the interplay between dopamine, creativity, and survival mechanisms, offering insights into why people may use drugs for reasons beyond pleasure, such as problem-solving or enhancing creativity. The piece advocates for a broader understanding of reward and its role in shaping human behavior. Continue reading Drugs, Reward and the Brain