Schedule

Week 1

Wednesday, August 25

Topics
- Structure of the course
- The connectome and beyond
- A bit about systems
Read/Watch
- Swanson, L. W., & Lichtman, J. W. (2016). From Cajal to Connectome and Beyond. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 39, 197–216. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-071714-033954.
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Friday, August 27

Topics
- Levels of analysis
- Does neuroscience need behavior? Does behavioral science need the brain?
Read/Watch
- Churchland, P. S., & Sejnowski, T. J. (1988). Perspectives on cognitive neuroscience. Science, 242(4879), 741–745. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3055294.
- Krakauer, J. W., Ghazanfar, A. A., Gomez-Marin, A., MacIver, M. A., & Poeppel, D. (2017). Neuroscience needs behavior: Correcting a reductionist bias. Neuron, 93(3), 480–490. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.12.041.
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Week 2

Wednesday, September 1

Topics
- Methods in neuroscience
Read/Watch
- Mendoza-Halliday, D. (2019). Neuroscience methods tutorial. https://youtu.be/iHthMSN65bA.
- Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience/Behavioural and Neuroscience Methods. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cognitive_Psychology_and_Cognitive_Neuroscience/Behavioural_and_Neuroscience_Methods
- (Recommended) Cohen, M. X. (2017). Where Does EEG Come From and What Does It Mean? Trends in Neurosciences, 40(4), 208–218. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.02.004
Materials
- Notes. PDF.
- Getting to know you assignment

Friday, September 3

Topics
- Methods in neuroscience
Read/Watch
- (Recommended) Hillman, E. M. C. (2014). Coupling mechanism and significance of the BOLD signal: a status report. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 37, 161–181. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-071013-014111.
- (Optional) Logothetis, N. K., Pauls, J., Augath, M., Trinath, T., & Oeltermann, A. (2001). Neurophysiological investigation of the basis of the fMRI signal. Nature, 412(6843), 150–157. Retrieved January 20, 2016, from https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v412/n6843/abs/412150a0.html
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 3

Wednesday, September 8

Topics
- Cellular neuroscience (anatomy)
Read/Watch
- BW¹ 2:36-51.
- BW 3:61-78.
- (Optional) Zeng, H., & Sanes, J. R. (2017). Neuronal cell-type classification: challenges, opportunities and the path forward. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18(9), 530–546. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2017.85.
- (Optional) Oliveira, J. F., Sardinha, V. M., Guerra-Gomes, S., Araque, A., & Sousa, N. (2015). Do stars govern our actions? Astrocyte involvement in rodent behavior. Trends in Neurosciences, 38(9), 535–549. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2015.07.006.
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Friday, September 10

Topics
- Cellular neuroscience (resting potential)
Read/Watch
- BW 3:78-92.
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Week 4

Wednesday, September 15

Topics
- Cellular neuroscience (action potential)
- Cellular neuroscience (synaptic transmission)
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Friday, September 17

Topics
- Neuroanatomy
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Week 5

Wednesday, September 22

Topics
- Neuroanatomy II
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Friday, September 24

Topics
- Quiz 1. Take home. Due at start of class on Friday, October 1, 2021.
- Neuroanatomy III
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Week 6

Wednesday, September 29

Topics
- Neuroanatomy lab
Materials
- Handout. PDF

Friday, October 1

Topics
- Quiz 1 due. Email it to me.
- Neurochemistry
Read/Watch
- BW: 4:95-100.
- BW 4:101-130.
Materials
- Notes. PDF

Week 7

Wednesday, October 6

Topic
- Hormones
- Brain/gut connection
Read/Watch
- BW 5:125-154.
- BW 5:131-159.
- (Optional) Sarkar, A., Lehto, S. M., Harty, S., Dinan, T. G., Cryan, J. F., & Burnet, P. W. J. (2016). Psychobiotics and the manipulation of bacteria-gut-brain signals. Trends in Neurosciences, 39(11), 763–781. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2016.09.002.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, October 8

Topics
- Evolution of the nervous system
Reading
- BW 6 & 7.
- Optional Hofman, M. A. (2014). Evolution of the human brain: When bigger is better. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 8, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2014.00015.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 8

Wednesday, October 13

Topics
- Development of the human brain
Read/Watch
- Rakic, P. (2009). Evolution of the neocortex: a perspective from developmental biology. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(10), 724–735. Retrieved October 5, 2015, from https://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v10/n10/abs/nrn2719.html.
- Cao, M., Huang, H., & He, Y. (2017). Developmental connectomics from infancy through early childhood. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(8), 494–506. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.06.003.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, October 15

Topics
- Development of the human brain II
Read/Watch
- Rakic, P. (2009). Evolution of the neocortex: a perspective from developmental biology. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(10), 724–735. Retrieved October 5, 2015, from https://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v10/n10/abs/nrn2719.html.
- Cao, M., Huang, H., & He, Y. (2017). Developmental connectomics from infancy through early childhood. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(8), 494–506. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.06.003.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 9

Wednesday, October 20

Topics
- Perception.
Read/Watch
- BW 8:230-241.
- Murray, M. M., Lewkowicz, D. J., Amedi, A., & Wallace, M. T. (2016). Multisensory processes: A balancing act across the lifespan. Trends in Neurosciences, 39(8), 567–579. Retrieved July 28, 2016, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223616300480.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, October 22

Topics
- Vision
Read/Watch
- BW 8:230-241.
- Hubel, D. H. (1982). Exploration of the primary visual cortex, 1955-78. Nature, 299(5883), 515–524. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6750409.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 10

Wednesday, October 27

Topics
- Action I
Read/Watch
- BW 10: 301:335, BW 11: 341:368.
- Nielsen, J. B. (2016). Human spinal motor control. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 39, 81–101. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-070815-013913
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, October 29

Topics
- Action II
Read/Watch
- BW 10:301-335, 11:341-368.
- Shenoy, K. V., Sahani, M., & Churchland, M. M. (2013). Cortical control of arm movements: A dynamical systems perspective. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 36, 337–359. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-062111-150509.
Quiz 2 distributed. Due by 12:00 PM on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Week 11

Wednesday, November 3

Topics
- Wrap-up on action
- Cognition & language.
Read/Watch
- BW 19
- Hagoort, P., & Indefrey, P. (2014). The neurobiology of language beyond single words. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 37, 347–362. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-071013-013847.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, November 5

Topics
- Wrap-up on language
- Learning & memory
Read/Watch
- BW 17
- Squire, L. R., & Wixted, J. T. (2011). The cognitive neuroscience of human memory since H.M. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 34, 259–288. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-061010-113720.
Quiz 2 due
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 12

Wednesday, November 10

Topics
- Wrap-up on learning & memory
- Fear & stress
Read/Watch
- BW 15
- Pellman, B. A., & Kim, J. J. (2016). What can ethobehavioral studies tell us about the brain’s fear system? Trends in Neurosciences, 39(6), 420–431. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2016.04.001
- Musazzi, L., Tornese, P., Sala, N., & Popoli, M. (2017). Acute or chronic? A stressful question. Trends in Neurosciences. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.07.002
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Friday, November 12

Topics
- Pleasure & reward.
Read/Watch
- BW 15
- Hu, H. (2016). Reward and aversion. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 39, 297–324. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-070815-014106
- Watabe-Uchida, M., Eshel, N., & Uchida, N. (2017). Neural circuitry of reward prediction error. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 40, 373–394. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-072116-031109.
Materials
- Notes. PDF.

Week 13

Wednesday, November 17

Topics
- Disorder and Disease.
Read/Watch
- BW 16
- Hunt, M. J., Kopell, N. J., Traub, R. D., & Whittington, M. A. (2017). Aberrant network activity in schizophrenia. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(6), 371–382. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.04.003.
- Volk, L., Chiu, S.-L., Sharma, K., & Huganir, R. L. (2015). Glutamate synapses in human cognitive disorders. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 38, 127–149. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-071714-033821.

Friday, November 19

Topics
- Disorder and Disease II
Read/Watch
- BW 16
- Pawluski, J. L., Lonstein, J. S., & Fleming, A. S. (2017). The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(2), 106–120. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009.
- Namkung, H., Kim, S.-H., & Sawa, A. (2017). The insula: An underestimated brain area in clinical neuroscience, psychiatry, and neurology. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(4), 200–207. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2017.02.002.
Quiz 3 distributed. Due 5:00 PM on Friday, December 3, 2021.

Thanksgiving Break, November 22 - 26, 2021

Week 14

Wednesday, December 1

Topics
- Networks all the way down
Read/Watch
- Raichle, M. E. (2015). The brain’s default mode network. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 38, 433–447. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-071013-014030
Optional
- Bargmann, C. I. (2012). Beyond the connectome: how neuromodulators shape neural circuits. BioEssays: News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 34(6), 458–465. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201100185
- Kopell, N. J., Gritton, H. J., Whittington, M. A., & Kramer, M. A. (2014). Beyond the connectome: the dynome. Neuron, 83(6), 1319–1328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.016

Friday, December 3

Topics
- Networks all the way down
Read/Watch
- Bullmore, E., & Sporns, O. (2009). Complex brain networks: Graph theoretical analysis of structural and functional systems. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(3), 186–198. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2575.
Optional
- Bargmann, C. I. (2012). Beyond the connectome: how neuromodulators shape neural circuits. BioEssays: News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 34(6), 458–465. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201100185.
- Bassett, D. S., & Sporns, O. (2017). Network neuroscience. Nature Neuroscience, 20(3), 353–364. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4502.
- Kopell, N. J., Gritton, H. J., Whittington, M. A., & Kramer, M. A. (2014). Beyond the connectome: the dynome. Neuron, 83(6), 1319–1328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.016
Quiz 3 due.

Week 15

Wednesday, December 8

Topics
- Reproducibility in neuroscience
Readings
- Gorgolewski, K. J., & Poldrack, R. A. (2016). A practical guide for improving transparency and reproducibility in neuroimaging research. PLoS Biology, 14(7), e1002506. Retrieved October 2, 2016, from https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002506
- (recommended) Botvinik-Nezer, R., et al. (2020). Variability in the analysis of a single neuroimaging dataset by many teams. Nature, 582(7810): 84-88. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2314-9.
Recommended
- Kass, R. (2020). Exaggerated Claims Undermine Science by Ignoring the Scientific Method. https://youtu.be/PwCyvSDkUCY
- (optional) Gilmore, R. O., Diaz, M. T., Wyble, B. A., & Yarkoni, T. (2017). Progress toward openness, transparency, and reproducibility in cognitive neuroscience. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13325.

Friday, December 10

Topics
- TBD

Week 16

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Final papers due by 5:00 pm

BW refers to the Behavioral Neuroscience text by Breedlove and Watson.↩︎