Neural Basis of Behavior

Catalog description

An analysis of the neural basis of innate and learned behaviors, as well as the neurological deficits accompanying lesions of different parts of the brain. Emphasis will be placed on sensory processing, reflexive behavior, feature extraction and behavioral triggers, using simple learned behaviors amenable to analysis at the neuronal level, including analysis of membrane electrical activity, chemical synaptic activity and neuromodulation. Feature extraction will be considered as the basis of visual localization and prey (insect) capture in toads and in echo localization and insect capture in bats. Analysis of brain lesions will include both behavior and simultaneous brain imaging to connect the deficits with specific brain regions, and will cover semantic/episodic learning and amnesia, as well as speech/language comprehension. We will also discuss prospects for transplanting brain stem cells to cure diseases caused by cell death of specific neurons. T BIO 260 is the Honors College version of A BIO 460. Only one can be taken for credit. Neuroscience minors can take only one of T BIO 260 and T PSY 214 for credit toward the minor requirements. Open to Honors College students only. Prerequisite(s): A BIO 130 or 121, A BIO 131 or 120. May not be offered in 2024-2025.