Cortical excitability

Cortical excitability refers to how easily the brain's outer layer (the cortex) responds to signals. Think of it like a radio receiver: when excitability is high, the brain reacts strongly to stimuli; when low, it responds less. This balance is important for normal brain functions such as movement, sensation, and thought. Changes in cortical excitability can be influenced by factors like fatigue, medications, or neurological conditions, affecting how effectively the brain processes information. Essentially, it reflects the readiness of neural networks to activate in response to incoming signals.