Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Brainstem01:19

Brainstem

8.0K
The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...
8.0K
Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla01:21

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

5.4K
The medulla oblongata is a crucial part of the brainstem responsible for controlling various autonomic and involuntary functions. It contains several nuclei, including the olivary, cuneate, gracile, and solitary nuclei.
Olivary Nucleus
The olivary nucleus, or inferior olivary nucleus, is located within the ventrolateral part of the medulla oblongata. It is primarily involved in motor coordination and motor learning. The olivary nucleus receives input from the spinal cord, cerebellum, and motor...
5.4K
Cerebellum: Anatomical Regions01:17

Cerebellum: Anatomical Regions

5.6K
The cerebellum, also known as the "little brain," is located in the posterior cranial fossa, inferior to the tentorium cerebelli and dorsal to the brainstem. It plays a significant role in motor control, coordination, and proprioception.
Cerebellar Structure
Externally, the cerebellum features a highly convoluted surface with numerous folia (narrow ridges) separated by shallow sulci (grooves). The cerebellum is divided into two hemispheres by a thin median structure known as the vermis. The...
5.6K
Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

6.0K
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
6.0K
Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions01:20

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

12.7K
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It consists of four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem.
The cerebrum is the largest section of the brain and divides into left and right hemispheres, separated by a deep fissure. The cerebral outer layer of grey matter — the cerebral cortex — comprises elevations called gyri and shallow groves called sulci. The inner portion of white matter includes long nerve fibers known as axons, which connect...
12.7K
Brain Imaging01:14

Brain Imaging

927
Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans),  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...
927

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Vulnerability of the locus coeruleus-entorhinal cortex white matter tract in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2026
Same author

Nasal administration of Protollin enhances monocyte phagocytosis and decreases CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell cytotoxicity in subjects with early Alzheimer's disease: a Phase 1 clinical trial.

npj aging·2026
Same author

Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 and longitudinal trajectories of Aβ, tau, and cognition in cognitively unimpaired older adults.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Sex differences in diffusion-weighted imaging outcomes in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease.

Brain communications·2026
Same author

Sex differences in neuromodulatory subcortical systems and their implications for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2026
Same author

Amyloid spatial extent with florbetapir-PET for early detection of preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease·2026
Same journal

Fundus autofluorescence imaging.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
Same journal

The electroretinogram as a means to study the physiology of the retina.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
Same journal

Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
Same journal

Modeling the human retina in a dish: Advances and future directions.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
Same journal

Optogenetics for therapeutic use in the brain, eye, and ear.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
Same journal

Neuroprotective strategies for retinal disease.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
10:06

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain

Published on: May 10, 2012

13.5K

Functional and molecular brainstem imaging.

Heidi I L Jacobs1, Prokopis C Prokopiou1, Tarun Singhal2

  • 1Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|March 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neuroimaging techniques now allow detailed study of the brainstem, a crucial area for behavior and cognition. These advanced methods aid in diagnosing and monitoring neurological diseases, improving patient outcomes.

Keywords:
BOLDBrainstemFunctionFunctional MRIMolecularNeurotransmittersPET

More Related Videos

A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
11:50

A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: February 4, 2022

4.7K
A Method to Make a Craniotomy on the Ventral Skull of Neonate Rodents
08:30

A Method to Make a Craniotomy on the Ventral Skull of Neonate Rodents

Published on: May 22, 2014

16.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2026

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
10:06

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain

Published on: May 10, 2012

13.5K
A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
11:50

A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: February 4, 2022

4.7K
A Method to Make a Craniotomy on the Ventral Skull of Neonate Rodents
08:30

A Method to Make a Craniotomy on the Ventral Skull of Neonate Rodents

Published on: May 22, 2014

16.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • The brainstem is vital for behavior and cognition, connecting major brain regions and producing key neurotransmitters.
  • Understanding the brainstem's role in health and disease has been a long-standing challenge.
  • Modern neuroimaging has revolutionized the study of brainstem function and molecular changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the complexities of imaging neuromodulatory subcortical nuclei in the brainstem.
  • To review current clinical applications of brainstem neuroimaging.
  • To highlight future directions in brainstem research and its clinical impact.

Main Methods:

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Advanced neuroimaging techniques for subcortical nuclei

Main Results:

  • Neuroimaging enables detailed analysis of brainstem function and molecular changes.
  • These techniques offer insights into various neurological diseases.
  • Methodologic challenges in imaging brainstem nuclei are being addressed.

Conclusions:

  • State-of-the-art neuroimaging is crucial for early detection and differential diagnostics of neurological diseases.
  • Brainstem imaging aids in monitoring disease progression and intervention effectiveness.
  • Future perspectives include enhanced drug development and a deeper understanding of brainstem neuromodulation.