Seminar on Brain and Behavior

Catalog description

Pre-requisites: FISA 8105, FISA 8215. The main focus of this course is to examine the neural basis of behavior. The first three lectures will provide background material from a systemic to a molecular approach. Processes that occur at the level of brain, cell and gene, and their contributions to the control of behavior, will be discussed. We will then examine the chemicals that serve to communicate information between neural cells, i.e. neurotransmitters. Classical, non-classical (neuropeptides) and unconventional neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide, will be studied. This will be followed by the presentation of different behaviors such as: Feeding, Play, Aggressive, Learning, Sexual and Maternal Behavior. These behaviors will be studied in a variety of animals, so that we can gain in sight to the diversity of existent behavioral patterns. The focus of our discussions will be on the neural regulation of these behaviors including brain region, neurotransmitters, neural circuitry, and receptor pharmacology.