What does neurobiological mean?
Neurobiological describes something connected with the biological structure, function, or development of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. In scientific and medical writing, it is used for biological mechanisms, processes, research, and effects. For example, a neurobiological explanation of a behaviour considers the nervous-system activity that helps produce it, rather than focusing only on conscious thought or social context. The term combines the idea of the nervous system with biology, the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is therefore especially common in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and related fields. Although it can sometimes overlap with neurological and psychological terminology, neurobiological wording generally emphasizes the biological foundations of nervous-system activity.
adjectiveRelating to the biological structure, function, or development of the nervous system. It is used especially in scientific and medical contexts to describe nervous-system processes, mechanisms, or effects.
- Relating to the biology of the nervous system.
"The researchers investigated the neurobiological basis of memory."
"The study examined neurobiological changes associated with chronic stress."
"Her research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory."
From neurons to networks, neurobiology asks how living tissue produces thought, sensation, and movement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neurobiological come from?
The prefix neuro- comes through Latin from the Greek neuron, meaning nerve. The remainder of the word combines bio-, from Greek bios, meaning life, with the adjectival suffix -logical, associated with science or study. Together, the elements refer to the biological study or nature of the nervous system, a usage developed in modern scientific language.
Related word forms
How neurobiological is actually used
This is a formal scientific and medical adjective. It is more specific than general terms such as mental or cerebral and is commonly used with words such as research, mechanism, basis, and effects.
Easily confused with neurobiological
Neurological usually describes disorders, symptoms, or clinical conditions affecting the nervous system, whereas neurobiological more often emphasizes biological mechanisms, structures, and processes.
Psychological concerns mental processes, behaviour, and experience, while neurobiological concerns the biological organization and functioning of the nervous system.