The Science of Learning: Studying The Role of Inhibitory Neurons in the Brain's Learning Process

Neurologists are looking at how inhibitory neurons in the brain affects the brain during times of critical learning. Neurons are cells that are responsible for processing and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals to and from the brain.

Twenty percent of the brain's neurons are inhibitory neurons. The remaining are excitatory neurons. Inhibitory neurons are neurons that are likely not to send information to the brain or central nervous system. This process of sending information is called an action potential.

An excitatory neuron is a neuron that is more likely to generate an action potential.

Scientists have discovered that during a person's younger years, when learning is crucial, inhibitory neurons are not as active to allow the brain to receive more information. As the person gets older, these neurons become stronger which slows down the learning process.

Sleep Has Positive Effects in Learning Motor Tasks

Scientists are studying how sleep can enhance and reinforce motor tasks that is being learned during conscious periods.

Sleep is a regular biological activity where the body gets rest from physical activity and when the body starts to recover from sickness or fatigue. Healthy sleep also contributes to other positive factors such as emotional stress, healthy weight loss, and even cognitive functions.

A recent study on sleep shows that extending sleep time increases daytime alertness and pain sensitivity.

In this latest study, scientists used subjects who are learning a sequential finger tapping task (akin to playing the piano) and noted that those who had sleep afterwards performed better at the task than those who did not get sleep. The image shows the MRI of the brain and the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) which is the part of the brain found to be involved in the learning of the task.

Earning A Doctorate Degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Doctoral Degree (PhD) is the highest academic degree that one can attain. The student is conferred a level of Doctor of Philosophy. The word "philosophy" in this context refers to the original greek meaning of the word (philosophia) which means 'love of wisdom'. A person who earns a Ph.D. is addressed with the title 'Doctor'.

Requirements for earning a doctorate degree vary from country to country and from school to school. Fundamentally, one must master the subject completely and extend the body of knowledge about it to attain a PhD. A PhD program demands extensive studying and dedicated effort from the student.

Mastering A Subject

Before applying for a doctorate degree, most universities require that the student has earned a Bachelor's degree (usually a four year undergraduate course) and a Master's degree, a post-graudate degree course that follows a bachelor's degree.

High Level of Math Anxiety Linked To Brain Regions For Physical Pain and Threat Detection

Ask any student what subject gives the most anxiety and chances are the answer would be math. Millions of kids have problems with math, they struggle to understand the subject often creating high levels of mathematics anxiety (HMAs).

This form of anxiety creates stress that even uses the brainpower needed to learn and solve math problems. Those who suffer HMA report feelings of tension, apprehension, and fear of math.

In her 1978 book, Overcoming Math Anxiety, Shiela Tobias writes that math anxiety causes people to have low self-esteem, lack of confidence and is predisposed to failure. She states that "math anxiety is not a failure of inellect but a failure of nerve...". She further points out the difference on how culture looks at math, Asians credit hard work in succeeding in mathematics, Americans look at it as an ability.