Neural science

Principles of Neural Science: A Chapter Outline

Part I: Foundations of Neural Science

Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Brain

· The major questions and history of neuroscience.

· Overview of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

· Core concepts: neurons, circuits, maps, and plasticity.

· Key methodologies for studying the brain.

Chapter 2: Cells of the Nervous System

· Structure and function of neurons: soma, dendrites, axon, synapse.

· Classification of neurons (sensory, motor, interneurons).

· The diverse roles of glial cells: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and Schwann cells.

Chapter 3: The Electrical Properties of Neurons

· The resting membrane potential: ionic gradients and the Nernst equation.

· Passive electrical properties: capacitance, resistance, and length constants.

· Ionic basis of electrical signaling.

Chapter 4: The Action Potential

· Biophysics of voltage-gated ion channels.

· The Hodgkin-Huxley model: initiation, propagation, and termination of the action potential.

· Refractory periods and the all-or-none law.

Part II: Synaptic Transmission and Neural Circuits

Chapter 5: Synaptic Transmission

· Structure and classification of chemical synapses.

· The synaptic vesicle cycle: release, diffusion, and reuptake of neurotransmitters.

· Introduction to neurotransmitters and receptors.

Chapter 6: Neurotransmitter Systems

· Major neurotransmitter classes: acetylcholine, amino acids (glutamate, GABA, glycine), amines (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine), neuropeptides.

· Their synthesis, pathways in the brain, and functional roles.

Chapter 7: Postsynaptic Potentials and Synaptic Integration

· Ionotropic and metabotropic receptors: EPSPs and IPSPs.

· Spatial and temporal summation of synaptic inputs.

· Dendritic computation and integration.

Chapter 8: Neural Circuits and Complex Signaling

· Principles of network organization: convergence, divergence, and feedback loops.

· Neuromodulation: how neurotransmitters alter circuit function and states.

· Introduction to rhythm generation and oscillatory activity.

Part III: Sensory Systems

Chapter 9: Sensory Transduction

· General principles: receptor types (mechano-, thermo-, chemo-, photo-), receptive fields, adaptation, and labeled lines.

· Coding stimulus modality, intensity, location, and duration.

Chapter 10: The Somatic Sensory System

· Touch, proprioception, pain, and temperature pathways.

· Dermatomes, spinal cord organization, and the somatosensory cortex (homunculus).

· The neurobiology of pain.

Chapter 11: The Visual System

· From retina to cortex: photoreceptors, retinal processing, the lateral geniculate nucleus.

· Organization and function of the primary visual cortex: orientation columns, ocular dominance.

· The dorsal ("where") and ventral ("what") streams of visual processing.

Chapter 12: The Auditory and Vestibular Systems

· The cochlea: sound transduction and frequency coding.

· Central auditory pathways and sound localization.

· The vestibular system: balance and spatial orientation.

Chapter 13: The Chemical Senses: Olfaction and Gustation

· Olfaction: receptor neurons, the olfactory bulb, and cortical projections.

· Gustation: taste buds, taste transduction, and central pathways.

Part IV: Motor Systems

Chapter 14: The Motor Unit and Muscle Reflexes

· The neuromuscular junction.

· Spinal reflexes: the stretch reflex, Golgi tendon organ reflex, and withdrawal reflex.

· Central pattern generators.

Chapter 15: Central Control of Movement

· The hierarchical organization of motor control.

· The role of the spinal cord, brainstem, motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.

· Planning and executing voluntary movement.

Part V: The Brain and Behavior

Chapter 16: Development and Plasticity of the Nervous System

· Neural induction, proliferation, migration, and differentiation.

· Axon guidance, synapse formation, and activity-dependent refinement.

· Critical periods and experience-dependent plasticity.

Chapter 17: Homeostasis: Hypothalamus and Autonomic Nervous System

· The hypothalamus and neuroendocrine control.

· The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

· Regulating body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep.

Chapter 18: The Limbic System and Emotion

· Anatomy of the limbic system: amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate cortex.

· Neural substrates of emotion, fear, and reward.

· The stress response.

Chapter 19: Higher Cognitive Functions

· The association cortices: prefrontal, parietal, and temporal.

· Language (Broca's and Wernicke's areas), attention, and executive function.

· Neural correlates of consciousness.

Chapter 20: Diseases of the Nervous System

· Core mechanisms: neurodegeneration (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), channelopathies, synaptopathies.

· Psychiatric disorders: depression, schizophrenia, anxiety.

· Principles of neural repair and therapeutic strategies.