Neural Systems I Section of Neurobiology, UT Austin Bio 337 (Unique # 49600)

Instructors: Michael Mauk Professor, Center for Learning and Memory & Section of Neurobiology Office: NMS 4.304 Office hours: 1:15-2:30 Wednesdays or by appointment Phone: 232-3978 email: [email protected]

Textbook and readings: Reading assignments will be posted in PDF format on Blackboard at least one week before the relevant lecture. We will use Blackboard extensively to make announcements, submit assignments and carry on discussions.

Learning goals: To obtain a basic understanding of brain function, dysfunction and of the fundamental role of computation in brain operation.

Expectations: 1) Attend class and actively participate by asking questions and engaging in discussion. 2) Complete reading assignments before the lecture for which they are relevant.

Course format and grading: Exams will be short answer and possibly a few multiple choice. The final grade will be based on the following:

30% Exam 1 30% Exam 2 40% Final Exam

A suggestion: There is an abundance of evidence that we learn and remember better by studying more often for shorter periods. The appears to be a particular benefit obtained from reviewing material again the same day that it is first encountered. I suggest you review the notes from each lecture later the same afternoon or that evening. This small commitment will provide huge payoff in terms of recall of material. It also provides a way for you to generate questions for the next class or for review sessions.

Accommodations for students with disabilities. The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471- 6259, 471-6441 TTY.

List of suggested books: - Principles of Neural Science (Kandel and Schwartz) 2000 - From neuron to brain: A cellular and molecular approach to the function of the nervous system. (Nicholls, Martin, Wallace Fuchs) (2001) - Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (Bear, Connors & Paradiso) (2006) Important dates to remember: Exam 1: Friday October 10 Exam 2: Friday November 5

Introduction to the nervous system Page 2 of 4

Class Schedule (MWF, 10 am)

W 08-25 Course introduction - describe course organization, expectations, grading - motivate interest in understanding neural systems - explain emphasis on computation F 08-27 What are the parts: Brain systems and their diseases I - spinal cord and spinal reflexes (paralysis) - brain stem and homeostatic functions (various) - cerebral cortex and executive function - motor planning and commands - primary motor cortex - cerebellum M 08-30 Brain systems and their diseases II - cerebral cortex and executive function - basal ganglia - sensation/perception (parietal neglect) W 09-01 The astonishing hypothesis (you are the computation in your brain) - lesion = absence of function - record = correlate of function - stimulate = elicit function F 09-03 Computation and neurons - what is computation? = connectionism - what kind of computation in neural systems? - examples M 09-06 Artificial neural networks - a perceptron as examples of: - stimulus representation - learning through plasticity - computation = decisions/sensation to action W 09-08 Neurons and their signals - overview of neuron structure - examples of extracellular recordings - examples of synaptic potentials F 09-10 Essentials of electricity and electric circuits relevant to neurons - charge, current - water pressure analogy of Ohm’s law - terminology M 09-13 and equilibrium potentials - and ions in solutions - selectively permeable membranes and equilibrium potentials - The W 09-15 Synapses and synaptic potentials - basic properties of synapses - basic properties of receptors and transmitter gated channels - excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials - synaptic integration 2

Introduction to the nervous system Page 3 of 4

F 09-17 channels and the control of membrane permeability - patch clamp and single channel recording - properties of single channel conductances - basics of ion channel structure-function - macroscopic currents from single channel currents M 09-20 Passive properties of neurons - why neurons need action potentials - RC circuits and their effects on signals - space and time constants W 09-22 The and active conductances - basic properties of voltage-gated ion channels - positive feedback and the rising phase of the AP - many routes to the falling phase F 09-24 Voltage clamp and classic squid axon studies - the classic squid axon studies - Goldman equation - the basic Hodgekin and Huxeley equations M 09-27 Axons and propogation of the action potential - the axon hillock - propogation in unmyelinated axons - factors influencing the speed of conduction - saltatory conduction - absolute and relative refractory periods W 09-29 Overview of neural physiology - summary and review for exam

F 10-01 MIDTERM EXAM 1

M 10-04 Synapses and release of transmitter (basic and use as overview for above) - the arrival of the action potential at the synaptic terminal - the special properties of calcium in the cell - voltage-gated calcium channels - basics of synaptic release mechanisms W 10-06 Quantal analysis - classic quantal analysis - freeze fracture and other evidence for quantal release F 10-08 Integration of synaptic potentials and short-term plasticity - another way to review previous material and move into plasticity - forms of short-term plasticity M 10-11 Long-term synaptic plasticity I - the basic CA1 LTP and LTD story (no mechanism beyond NMDA and Ca) W 10-13 Long-term synaptic plasticity II - hippocampal story continued plus the cerebellar LTD/P story F 10-15 Synaptic Plasticity III: Homeostatic plasticity M 10-18 From neuron to brain: putting it all together - Examples of feature detection and coding 3

Introduction to the nervous system Page 4 of 4

W 10-20 The retina - sensory transduction - non-spiking neurons and release - what the eye tells the brain: ganglion cells F 10-22 Lateral geniculate nucleus and retinal waves M 10-25 Classic studies of primary visual cortex - simple, complex and hypercomplex - orientation specificity - ocular dominance W 10-27 Higher order visual cortices - what and where pathways F 10-29 Perception of motion and an example of making decisions - MT, MST and the Newsome stimulation studies M 11-01 Superior colliculus and the control of saccades W 11-03 Review for exam

F 11-05 MIDTERM EXAM 2

M 11-08 Overview of the motor system W 11-10 Spinal cord and motor units F 11-12 Primary motor cortex - population coding, etc. M 11-15 Basal ganglia and reward I W 11-17 Basal ganglia and reward II F 11-19 The cerebellum as a computational machine M 11-22 The cerebellum as a computational machine W 11-24 Computer simulation of the cerebellum

F 11-26 Thanksgiving holiday

M 11-29 Neural control of eye movements: Saccades - Initiation by frontal eye fields or superior colliculus - specialized burst neurons - accuracy controlled by cerebellum W 12-01 Neural control of eye movements: smooth pursuit

F 12-03 Recap of course and review for exam

Final exam:

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