1)
Neuron to Nervous System:
Starting with the history of discoveries in
Neuroscience, this module will briefly review
cytoarchitecture of the central nervous system, in
particular, neurons, glia, and associated structures
such as myelin. The general neuroanatomy of the
brain, and arrangement of the motor and the sensory
systems will then be overviewed.
2)
The Chatting Neurons:
The ultimate basis of brain function is the
communication between the neurons. In this regard,
basic principles of membrane potential, action
potential, synapses, neurotransmitters and their
receptors will be reviewed.
3)
Deep in the Brain:
Going deeper than the cortical surface of the brain
reveals an extremely intricate structure that
performs very complex functions, naively referred to
as “feedback” and “relays”. The complexities of
these structures and how they function will be
presented in a very simplified manner.
4)
Understanding Memory, Behavior and Emotions:
You don’t need a brain to have memory; even a
synapse has memory. In this module we will explore
what we have learned from invertebrates and simpler
systems about memory. Similarly a summary of the
anatomical and physiological correlates of behavior
and emotions will be discussed.
5)
The Amazing Story of Brain Development:
From a simple layer of cells in an early embryo to a
complex brain that can comprehend, conquer and
create is an amazing story. How this feat is
achieved, always perfectly (well, almost), will be
the synopsis of this module.
6)
What is Special about the Human Brain:
Cognition, language and consciousness. These are the
functions of the human brain that make it unique.
Clinical neuroscience and experiments on mammalian
brain has given us some information to start to
fathom the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological
basis of these functions. This will be presented in
a nutshell here.
