locus coeruleus
Blue spot, brain
The locus coeruleus is a small nucleus in the brainstem that produces most of the brain's norepinephrine.
It plays a central role in arousal, attention, and the stress response—activating when you wake, focus, or face threat.
Dysfunction is implicated in anxiety disorders, ADHD, and sleep disturbances.
The Latin name means "blue spot," referring to its pigmented appearance in dissection.
Brainstem relay station
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- midbrainMiddle brain division
- medullaInnermost organ tissue
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
hypothalamus · thalamus · amygdala · hippocampus · prefrontal cortex · grey matter · nucleus · neural circuitry
State of being conscious
- alertnessActive mental awareness
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- sleep-wake cycleDaily pattern of rest
consciousness · circadian rhythm · drowsiness · REM sleep · pupil dilation · electroencephalogram · desynchronization
Catecholamine affecting alertness
- catecholamineTyrosine-derived signaling molecule
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- adrenergicActivated by epinephrine-type compounds
- monoamineSingle-amine compound
Acute threat reaction
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- autonomic nervous systemSelf-regulating bodily control network
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
panic · alarm response · acute stress · chronic stress · hypervigilance · threat detection · startle response
Progressive loss of neurons
- Alzheimer's diseaseDegenerative brain condition affecting memory
- Parkinson's diseaseNeurological disorder causing tremors
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- depressionProlonged low state
PTSD · anxiety disorders · sleep disorders · cognitive decline
Focused mental awareness
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- cognitive flexibilityCapacity to shift perspectives
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- executive functionCognitive self-management abilities
pons
Brainstem relay station
cerebellum · hypothalamus · thalamus · amygdala · hippocampus · prefrontal cortex · grey matter · nucleus · neural circuitry · neuromelanin
wakefulness
State of being conscious
sleep-wake cycle · consciousness · circadian rhythm · drowsiness · REM sleep · pupil dilation · electroencephalogram · desynchronization
noradrenaline
Catecholamine affecting alertness
- catecholamineTyrosine-derived signaling molecule
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- adrenergicActivated by epinephrine-type compounds
fight-or-flight
Acute threat reaction
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- autonomic nervous systemSelf-regulating bodily control network
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
anxiety · panic · alarm response · acute stress · chronic stress · hypervigilance · threat detection · startle response
neurodegeneration
Progressive loss of neurons
- Alzheimer's diseaseDegenerative brain condition affecting memory
- Parkinson's diseaseNeurological disorder causing tremors
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
depression · PTSD · anxiety disorders · sleep disorders · cognitive decline
attention
Focused mental awareness
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- cognitive flexibilityCapacity to shift perspectives
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
executive function · learning · signal-to-noise ratio · uncertainty
- neuroanatomybrain, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus
- brain regionscerebrum, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe
- brainstembrainstem, brain stem, medulla, medulla oblongata, pons
- Neurochemistrydopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine
- limbic systemhippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, fornix, mammillary bodies
- Ponspons, locked-in syndrome
locus coeruleuscerebral cortex
Brain's outer neural sheet
prefrontal cortex · neocortex · frontal lobe · hippocampus · cerebellum
local, location, relocate, locality, allocate, coerce, relocation, allocation, cerulean