Course coordinator: Adamantia Mitsacou

Educational objectives

Main course objective is the understanding of biology of cognition and behavior. The course focuses on sensory, motor systems and high-level mental functions. The students are introduced to brain anatomy, electrophysiology, electroencephalography and brain imaging techniques. The course Neuroscience I (Cellular/molecular Neuroscience) is a prerequisite.

Course content

• Cognitive processes and cerebral cortex
• Anatomy of sensory and motor pathways
• Sensory systems: touch, pain, hearing, taste, smell, vision
• Motor system: muscles and muscle receptors, spinal reflexes, voluntary movements.
• Genes and behavior – Sexuality and the brain – Emotions and impulses
• Language
• Memory and learning – Cellular mechanisms of memory and learning
• Sleep and dreams
• Neurobiological basis of EEG

Laboratory training 

• Anatomy of human and rat brain using fresh tissue  
• In vitro electrophysiological experiments on brain slices
• Electroencephalogram, principles and demonstration
• Examples of brain physiology and disorders with nuclear medicine methodology
• Examples of brain anatomy with CT and MRI
• Seminar on deep brain stimulation
• Stem cells for brain transplantation