GRAY MATTER of the brain: what is it, location, functions and how to increase it

The brain is made up of different structures and layers, however, when we look at the brain, the first thing we see is a grayish mass, with some areas darker than others. Well, these darker areas are what we call gray matter.

This gray substance, moreover, does not seem to be located only in the brain, but can be found in other areas of the nervous system, such as the spinal cord or the cerebellum. If you want to know more, keep reading! In the following Psychology-Online article we will talk about the gray matter of the brain: what it is, its location, its functions and how to increase it.

Index

1. What is the gray matter of the brain
2. Location of the gray matter of the brain
3. Functions of the gray matter of the brain
4. How to increase the gray matter of the brain

The gray matter of the brain is a major component of the Central Nervous System. This fabric is made up of cell bodies and neuropils

Specifically, the gray matter is composed of axon terminals, dendritic cells, and glial cells. It should be noted that it differs from white matter by the absence of a myelin layer in the neurons that form it and, in addition, it is made up of a large number of cell bodies. In this article you will find more information about the difference between gray and white matter of the brain.

The gray matter occupies 40% of the entire brain and consumes 94% of oxygen. Specifically, it is found mostly in the cerebral cortex. Even so, we can also observe gray matter in the spinal cord and around the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain and in the brainstem and cerebellum.

If you want to solve your doubt about where the gray matter of the brain is located, you should know that it is distributed on the surface and in the depths of the two cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum. Let's see in which areas exactly:

• Thalamus.
• hypothalamus.
• Subthalamus.
• Basal ganglia.
• Putamen.
• pale globe.
• nucleus accumbens.
• septal nuclei.
• cerebellar nuclei.
• Brainstem.

Although the gray matter is found in both hemispheres, that of the right hemisphere is slightly larger and is heavier compared to the left hemisphere. However, the left contains a greater amount of gray matter relative to white matter.

It should be noted that we also found differences between the sexes. While men have a higher volume of white matter, women tend to have more gray matter in the brain, especially in the temporal lobes, the entorhinal cortex, and the anterior lobes of the cerebellum.

gray matter layers

The gray matter of spinal cord, formed by interneurons and by the cell bodies of projection neurons, is located in the center of and it is distributed, in turn, in three gray columns that are presented in the form of "H": the anterior gray column, the posterior gray column and the lateral gray column.

In turn, these three columns are divided into different layers called rexed blades which are distributed as follows:

• in the posterior horn: laminae I to VI are located, site of access for afferent information from the dorsal roots
• in the middle zone: Plates VII and X are found.
• in the anterior horn: are sheets VIII and IX. These contain the body of the lower motor neurons.

Let's see what are the functions of each of the layers of the gray matter of the brain:

• Plate I: site of entry of the posterior root and contains some cells of the spinothalamic tract.
• Plate II: involved in spinal pain modulation.
• Plates III to VI: they are responsible for the processing of afferent somatosensory information.
• Plate VII: It is formed mainly by interneurons and the soma of the preganglionic autonomic neurons.
• Plates VIII and IX: They are responsible for motor eferences. In it are the alpha motor neurons, which innervate the extrafusal striated muscle fibers responsible for the motor act itself, and gamma motor neurons, which innervate intrafusal muscle fibers and are therefore important in maintaining tone and position.
• Sheet X: It is arranged around the central spinal canal and its function is unknown.

Image: Psychoactive

If you are wondering what the function of the gray matter of the brain is, you should know that it is related to muscle control and sensory perception. Let's see what interferes:

• sight and hearing.
• The memory.
• The emotions.
• He speaks.
• decision making.
• The self control.

As we can see, the gray matter controls muscular and sensory activity, as well as information processing. Let’s see in which processes it participates according to its location:

• Gray matter located in the cerebral cortex: It is considered essential for higher learning and for carrying out psychological processes that involve attention, memory and thought.
• gray matter located in the cerebellum: is related to functions of motor control, coordination and precision.
• gray matter of the spinal cord: divides its functions according to the three columns that compose it. The anterior gray column is involved in movement, the posterior gray column receives sensory information from the body, including fine touch, proprioception, and vibration, and the lateral gray column that functions as the third column of the spinal cord spinal.

According to a study by West, G and Rich B., (2017), one way to increase the gray matter of the brain is through video games. It seems that these cause an increase in the gray matter of the brain in the area of ​​the hippocampus in young people and older adults, which produces a decrease in cognitive deterioration.

In this same study, increases in the gray matter of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were found after musical activities how to play the piano. In this article about music and child brain development You will find more information on this aspect.

Furthermore, it seems that sport and physical activityaerobics it also causes an increase in the gray matter of the brain and positively influences cognitive functioning.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Gray matter of the brain: what it is: location, functions and how to increase it, we recommend that you enter our category of neuropsychology.

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