Understanding Action Potentials (spikes) with Mark Humphries (BS 186)

Mark Humphries (click to play or right click to download audio) This month's episode of Brain Science features Mark Humphries, author of The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds. We explore how the brain uses electrical signaling in surprising ways, beginning with a look at how an action potential (aka. "the spike") is produced. Then we consider what Humphries calls "the dark neurons," which are neurons that rarely generate spikes. We explore their role and also how it relates to the brain's spontaneous activity. One of the more surprising recent discoveries in neuroscience is that most of the brain's activity does not appear to be caused by external stimuli. It is not a passive receiver of information and this has profound implications for our understanding of things like how the brain generates conscious experience.This episode is for listeners of all backgrounds. How to get this episode:FREE: audio mp3 (click to stream, right click to download)Episode Transcript: Buy for $3:50 orclick here if you are a Premium Subscriber. Click here if you are a Patreon supporter.Premium Subscribers have unlimited access to ALL old episodes and transcripts, as well as extra content for selected episodes. All content is available browser or the free Brain Science mobile app.Patreon supporters have access to new transcripts ($3+/month) and ad-free audio files ($10+/month). You can also access your bonus content via th...
Source: the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Brain Chemistry Brain Research Interviews Neuroscience Podcast Show Notes Synapses Source Type: podcasts