• REM (rapid eye movement)- this is the last stage of sleep, characterized by swift eye movements and the presence of dreams. The brainwaves measured by the EEG are low intensity and erratic frequency, and look like the waves that are observed in someone who is awake.Cognitive language learning REM sleep is also characterized by a lack of muscle movement. This type of motionless sleep is called paradoxical sleep.

• sleep and circadian rhythms: the circadian rhythm is a biological process that oscillates throughout a (roughly) 24-hour period.Cognitive language learning it is also commonly referred to as a biological clock, and can vary depending on age. Our biological clocks are affected by the amount of light we are exposed to (natural and artificial).Cognitive language learning light triggers proteins in our retina to send signals to the pineal gland, which produces melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that causes us to sleep.Cognitive language learning

• dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is prescribed widely among people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Cognitive language learning DBT teaches a number of behavioral skills such as emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. It's goals are to help people be aware and present of the "here and now", and to learn to tolerate negative emotions.Cognitive language learning

• types of consciousness-altering drugs and their effects on the nervous system and behavior: drugs can alter the way we are able to cognitively function by changing the way our neurons fire.Cognitive language learning the three main categories include depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Depending on the substance, our neurons can fire more slowly (depressants), more quickly (stimulants), or by mimicking other neurons (hallucinogens).Cognitive language learning

• drug addiction is a disease in which people feel an excessive, constant compulsion to use drugs. Sometimes this is limited to one type of drug; sometimes the user will abuse multiple types of drugs.Cognitive language learning it is theorized that addiction is reinforced by the release of dopamine in circuits located in the brainstem (especially the nucleus accumbens, the pleasure center of the brain).Cognitive language learning

• short-term memory is a memory that is of short duration, approximately 20 seconds. An example of this could be remembering someone's address just long enough to type it into your GPS.Cognitive language learning A subset of short-term memory is the working memory, which refers to the immediate processing of events and linguistics. This is the type of memory that we use most often in school when learning a new concept.Cognitive language learning

• nodes are what we call the specific ideas/ events that we remember. Various associations connect nodes. These associations vary in strength; some are remembered and used frequently, some are rarely called upon.Cognitive language learning an example of a node: the image of a tiger. An example of an association of this node: large animals, which could lead us to another related node, such as a lion (because it is a large animal, too).Cognitive language learning

• alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. The majority of alzheimer's patients are over age 65 (early onset can occur around 40 years old).Cognitive language learning symptoms include forgetfulness (common first symptom), changes in mood and behavior, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. Alzheimers is a degenerative disease, and can worsen to the point of physically disabling a patient.Cognitive language learning there is no cure for alzheimer's disease.

• A schema is the overall framework of how we remember something (structure and components of the situation, details, etc.).Cognitive language learning schemas can skew information. An example of a schema skewing information: being asked to recall the doctor's examining room that you saw as a child.Cognitive language learning you may remember certain things that were there, but due to your idea of what a doctor's examining room should look like, you may remember things such as tongue depressors, cotton balls, alcohol, etc., regardless of whether or not they were actually there.Cognitive language learning

• long-term potentiation: the consistent process of strengthening neural synapses according to various activation patterns. As a synapse strengthens, the signal transmission time becomes quicker.Cognitive language learning for example: a mouse is placed in a maze, and in one of the corners is a piece of cheese. Assuming the mouse is successful, and finds the cheese, the mouse will more easily find the cheese (if put in the same place), next time he is placed in the maze.Cognitive language learning