Brain and Behavior Lecture Notes

Jul 12, 2024

Brain and Behavior Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Instructor: Professor Suzuki
  • Course: Brain and Behavior
  • Requirement: Satisfies the Natural Science requirement
  • Focus: Neuroscience - understanding how the brain allows us to see, feel, sense, remember, and how it makes us who we are.

Neuroscience vs. Psychology

  • Psychology: Study of behavior
  • Neuroscience: Deeper understanding, focusing on brain connections, synapses, neurons, and circuits.

Class Structure

  • Three Parts: Overview
    1. Basic Brain Neuroanatomy: 3D organization and structures of the brain
    2. Sensory Systems: How we see, hear, feel, smell - principles across all sensory systems
    3. Motor System & Higher Cognitive Functions: Learning, memory, emotion, language - ending with neurobiology of love

Course Content

  • First Part: Neurons and Glia
    • Brain comprises two types of cells: neurons and glia
    • Communication through synaptic (electrical and chemical)
    • Neurotransmitters
  • Second Part: Sensory Systems
  • Third Part: Motor Systems and Higher Cognitive Functions
    • Learning, memory, emotion, language, neurobiology of love

Course Goals

  1. Inspiration: Nobel Prize-winning science topics spanning various areas.
  2. Interaction: Higher interaction through projects, labs, and class participation.
  3. Appreciation: Understand how neuroscience is present in everyday life (news, media, etc.). Includes media report and movie projects.

Lab Component

  • New Development: Sheep brain and human brain digital atlas creation in lab.
  • Lab Experience: Hands-on work with brain tissue (mandatory participation).
  • Key Projects: 3 interactive projects throughout the course.

Class Logistics

  • Lecture and Lab Times:
    • Lectures: Monday and Wednesday, 11-12:15
    • Labs: Mandatory, cover sheep brain dissection and rat behavior lab
  • Textbook: Biological Psychology, 6th edition
  • Film Project: Open Education Project filming lectures
  • Exams and Grading:
    • Two midterms and one comprehensive final (no make-up exams)
    • Homework and lab participation included
  • Final Exam: December 19th

Instructor Background

  • Research Areas: Neurophysiology of memory, effects of exercise on learning, memory, and cognition
  • Other Activities: Certified group fitness instructor, teaching a class every Sunday
  • Student Interaction: Encourages forming study groups, interaction during lectures, and asking questions.

Inspirational Content

  • Visualization of Brain Anatomy and Functions:
    • Historical advances in brain visualization techniques (Golgi stain, brainbow technique)
    • Modern imaging (MRI, diffusion MRI) - case of patient HM

Notable Examples and Case Studies

  • Phrenology: Early (and inaccurate) hypothesis of brain function localization
  • Patient HM: Epilepsy treatment leading to discoveries about memory formation

Books and Creativity

  • Book: Spark - How Creativity Works by Julie Burstein
  • Chuck Close: Artist's story reflecting face blindness, learning disabilities, spinal aneurysm, and how these influenced his art.
  • Visual Perception Research: Study on how the brain perceives art differently up close vs. from a distance.

Closing Thoughts

  • Focus on Process: Chuck Close's quote about the importance of process over pre-conception.
  • Goals for Students: Encourage inspiration, interaction, and appreciation in study and application of neuroscience.

Next Class

  • Topic: Neuroanatomy