Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 3 sessions / week; 1 hour / session
Course Description
This course provides an outline of vertebrate functional neuroanatomy, aided by studies of comparative neuroanatomy and evolution, and by studies of brain development. Topics include early steps to a central nervous system, basic patterns of brain and spinal cord connections, regional development and differentiation, regeneration, motor and sensory pathways and structures, systems underlying motivations, innate action patterns, formation of habits, and various cognitive functions. In addition, lab techniques are reviewed and students perform brain dissections.
Prerequisites
9.01 Introduction to Neuroscience
Grading
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Quizzes and homework | 35 |
| Class participation | portion of quizzes and homework |
| Midterm exam | 25 |
| Final exam | 40 |
Calendar
| Lec # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Introduction: brain orientation, primitive cellular activities | |
| 3–4 | Steps to the CNS of chordates | |
| 5–6 | Introduction to the pre-mammalian brain; specializations; overview of forebrain structures | |
| 7–8 | Completion of forebrain structures. CNS development and anatomy | HW 1 due before Lecture 6 |
| 9 | Autonomic nervous system. Differentiation of the brain vesicles: Intro to hindbrain and segmentation | |
| 10 | Differentiation of the brain vesicles: Hindbrain & cranial nerves, specializations | HW 2 due before Lecture 9 |
| 11 | Differentiation of the brain vesicles: Developmental distortions; evolution of midbrain & forebrain; midbrain organization | |
| 12 | Differentiation of the brain vesicles: Vertebrate forebrain evolution & organization | |
| 13–14 | CNS differentiation: Axon growth | |
| 15–18 | Motor systems, brain states; review |
HW3 worksheets due before Lecture 18 HW4 due before Lecture 18 |
| 19 | Midterm Exam | Exam |
| 20 | Sheep brain dissection (Appropriate lab attire required). Taste and olfactory systems (readings only). | |
| 21–23 | Visual systems | HW5 due before Lecture 23 |
| 24–25 | Auditory and related sensory systems | |
| 26 | Forebrain evolution | |
| 27–29 | Hypothalamus and limbic system, part 1 | |
| 30 | Hormonal and other influences on brain development and plasticity | |
| 31 | Hippocampal formation | |
| 32 | Amygdala and other aspects of limbic forebrain | |
| 33–34 | Corpus striatum | HW6 due before Lecture 33 |
| 35–37 | Neocortex | HW7 due before Lecture 36 |
| 38 | Plasticity in brain connections; Review | |
| FINAL EXAM | Exam |