Neural Correlates of Learning and Memory

Catalog description

This course will examine the biological substrates of learning, memory, and behavioral adaptation. The focus will be on addressing how neural circuits change during new skill acquisition and adapt to variations in the environment. An introduction to experience-dependent changes in neural structure and function, in addition to behavioral learning paradigms, will be provided. Then we will consider the ways in which specific changes in biological substrates give rise to the emergent properties that drive behavioral adaptation, followed by in depth coverage of deciphering which biological substrates constitute a lasting memory trace. Finally, the concept of age-dependent learning will be examined. Concepts and specific examples will come through reading of primary literature and selected readings from advanced texts. Prerequisites: 03-320 or 03-240 or 85-219 or 85-170 or 03-161