This page includes all lectures and required and supplemental readings for the course. Readings include original research articles and reviews pertinent to the course that are published in major neuroscience journals. Supplemental materials are not mandatory but may pique your enthusiasm for neuroscience.
Apr 10: Slides for our discussion on changes in neuronal architecture and signaling with environmental enrichment.
OPTIONAL READING: Basic review of epigenetics; a hott research area showing the substantial impact that our environment can have on our genetic and molecular machinery and drive the progression of many diseases.
Apr 12: Slides for our discussion on the consequences of and recovery from traumatic injury to the nervous system.
Apr 15: Slides for the discussion on the neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms
Apr 17: Slides for the discussion on the neurobiology of speech and language
Datablitz (in place of mini-exam) on April 19th. An example
Apr 22 Review of some really cool research being conducted less than 3 miles from here to elucidate sex differences in brain anatomy and function.
The second article is optional but is very interesting: Pheromone Influence on Tip Earnings??
Slides for the discussion of sexual differentiation of the brain and subsequent physiology and behavior
Apr 24: Slides for the discussion on the neural circuitry responsible for learning and memory
This first article is a bit dated but certainly still valuable. It is written by the Nobel Laureate, Dr. Eric Kandel at Columbia University, who uncovered the molecular and cellular pathways of learning using a very simple organism of study; the Apylsia (marine snail).
Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Learning
This second article summarizes the differences between the two types of learning at a neuronal level: long-term potentiation vs. long-term depression.
At last, you can appreciate the conservation of learning-related molecular pathways across species in this Science paper illustrating that fruit flies are even capable of learning….and forgetting……
Learning and Forgetting in a Fruit Fly (OPTIONAL)
Apr 26: This is a very excellent review of the basic terminology, brain circuitry, and changes in behavior documented in rodent models of addiction: Nature Neuroscience Addiction Review
Slides for discussion on brain reward pathways and seeking
For any additional reading on specific types of addiction and the underlying neurobiology, just search for keywords on my blog. I have highlighted several, recent papers in alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other drug addiction-related research over the past few years.
Apr 29: This review highlights hypothalamic feeding pathways
Slides for discussion on peripheral and central regulation of feeding
May 1: Slides for discussion on psychiatric illness and treatment strategies
