Inhibitory

/ɪnˈhɪbɪˌtɔːri/ adjective

Definition

Having the quality of restraining, suppressing, or preventing an action or process. In neuroscience, refers to signals that reduce or prevent neural activity.

Etymology

From Latin 'inhibere' meaning 'to hold back' or 'restrain', composed of 'in-' (in) and 'habere' (to have or hold). The suffix '-ory' indicates 'having the quality of' or 'serving to'.

Kelly Says

Inhibitory processes are as crucial as excitatory ones in the brain - without them, neural activity would spiral out of control like an orchestra without a conductor. Many neurological conditions involve disrupted inhibitory signaling.

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