Neuroscience
This course examines the biology of pain and the mechanisms by which anesthetics alter the perception of pain, and provides an introduction to the anatomy and function of specific brain circuits.
Abstract
a neurally controlled system of dynamic defense against visual predators. Camouflage is a widespread form of defense throughout the animal kingdom in every known habitat - land or sea. In the oceans, cephalopods (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) have evolved a sophisticated sensorimotor system called Rapid Adaptive Coloration, which can instantaneously change their total body appearance within a fraction of a second to range from highly camouflaged to startlingly conspicuous for a wide range of behaviors. The forms and functions of this dynamic system will be teased apart in integrative fashion in a top-down approach from ecology to organismal biology to organs, tissues and cells. The course touches on neural anatomy, sensation, visual perception (including psychophysics) and animal behavior. There are also applied biology aspects of this system that will be presented as well. In this course, we will begin by trying to define the term and consider the so-called "hard" and "easy" problems of consciousness. A brief history of ancient civilizations' views on mental experience will be discussed. We will then go over basic neuroscientific concepts and methods that are being used to study the neural correlates of consciousness. We will explore different states of consciousness and disruptions of consciousness in human patients. We will touch on the related problems of intentionality and free will. Finally, we will discuss prevailing scientific theories of consciousness.Instructor(s): Introduction to Learning and Memory. 100 Units. This course examines basic questions in learning and memory. We discuss the historical separation and division of these two areas as well as the paradigmatic differences in studying learning and memory. We also discuss basic research methods for investigating learning and memory and survey established and recent research findings, as well as consider several different kinds of models and theories of learning and memory. Topics include skill acquisition, perceptual learning, statistical learning, working memory, implicit memory, semantic vs. episodic memory, and memory disorders. This examines the biology of pain and the mechanisms by which anesthetics alter the perception of pain. The approach is to examine the anatomy of pain pathways both centrally and peripherally, and to define electrophysiological, biophysical, and biochemical explanations underlying the action of general and local anesthetics. We discuss the role of opiates and enkephalins. Central theories of anesthesia, including the relevance of sleep proteins, are also examined. Anatomy of Selected Brain Circuits. Units. The course will provide an introduction to the anatomy and function of specific brain circuits. Students will participate in the dissection of human and sheep brains to uncover and describe gross-anatomical connectivity patterns of brain areas involved in cognition, learning, emotion, and movement control. We will use histological and microscopic techniques to visualize and describe circuits and specific types of neurons within these circuits. The course will further introduce students to the latest EM/histological reconstruction techniques. The Psychology and of This course explores the topic of stress consequences of postsynaptic receptor activation.