burst–pause firing

an oscillating pattern in which neurons in the thalamocortical system fire in unison, 1 to 4 per second, followed by pauses in which they do not fire. This pattern becomes synchronized throughout much of the brain, producing the large-amplitude electroencephalogram waves characteristic of slow-wave sleep.

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

morphometrics

n. the theory and technique associated with the physical measurement of living organisms and their component parts. Studies of size, shape, and structure are important not only in biology but also in neuropsychology and medical psychology. For example, researchers interested in morphometrics could study the form and structure of the brain in individuals who have various physical or psychological disorders. By contrast, psychometrics specifically focuses on the measurement of psychological phenomena.