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Synapses, Neurons and Brains

Approx. 20 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the neural synapse, the structure responsible for communication between neurons in the brain. Through lectures and hands-on exercises, students will learn about the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in synaptic transmission.

Key Learning Points

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the neural synapse
Learn about the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in synaptic transmission
Develop hands-on experience through interactive exercises

Learning Outcomes

Understand the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in synaptic transmission
Develop practical skills through hands-on exercises
Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios in neuroscience research and medicine

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of biology and biochemistry
Familiarity with neuroscience terminology

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures

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Synapses, Neurons and Brains

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Carl Zimmer
Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Related Books

Description

These are very unique times for brain research. The aperitif for the course will thus highlight the present “brain-excitements” worldwide. You will then become intimately acquainted with the operational principles of neuronal “life-ware” (synapses, neurons and the networks that they form) and consequently, on how neurons behave as computational microchips and how they plastically and constantly change - a process that underlies learning and memory. Recent heroic attempts to realistically simulate large cortical networks in the computer will be highlighted (e.g., “the Blue Brain Project”) and processes related to perception, cognition and emotions in the brain will be discussed. For dessert we will deliberate on the future of brain research, including the questions of “brain and art”, consciousness and free will. For more information see the course promo below and read “About the course.”

Outline

Brain Excitements for the 21st Century
Introduction: What's This Course About?
Welcome Words and Great Thinkers
The Blossoming of the Brain in the World
The Connectomics
Brainbow
Brain Machine Interface BMI
Optogenetics
Simulation of the Brain - Blue Brain Project
About the Course
Course Staff
Course Information
How to Use Discussion Forums
Lecture Slides

The Materialistic Mind - Your Brain's Ingredients
The Neuron
The Neuron Doctrine
The Neuron as I/O Device Part I
The Axon
The Dendrite
Neuron Type
The Synapse
The Neuron as I/O Device Part II
Lecture Slides
Brain Excitements for the 21st Century and The Materialistic Mind

Electrifying Brains –Passive Electrical Signals
The Cell as a RC Circuit
The Voltage Equation for the Passive Cell
The Membrane Time Constant
Temporal Summation
The Resting Potential
The Synaptic Potential Part 1
The Synaptic Conductance
The Synaptic Battery
The Synaptic Potential Part 2
The Voltage Equation for the Synapse and EPSP and IPSP
Summary
Sources for Lesson 3
Electrifying Brains –Passive Electrical Signals

Electrifying Brains – Active Electrical Spikes
The Hodgkin Huxley Experiments
The All or None Spike and the Voltage Clamp
Membrane Currents Underlying the Spike
Modeling the Membrane Currents
The H&H Spike Model
Lecture Slides
Electrifying Brains – Active Electrical Spikes

Neurons as Plastic/Dynamic Devices
The Brain Learns
Mechanisms Sub-Serving Learning and Memory
Functional Plasticity
Structural Plasticity
Neurogenesis and Learning
Lecture Slides
Neurons as Plastic/Dynamic Devices

Cable Theory and Dendritic Computations
The Brain Computes
Computation at the Level of Single Neuron
Fundamentals of Dendritic Cable Theory
Rall Cable Theory for Dendrites
Dendritic Computation
Recent Breakthroughs
Lecture Slides
Cable Theory and Dendritic Computations

Cortical Networks - Out of the Blue Project
Mega Projects for the Brain
The Blue Brain Project - The Start
The Cortical Column
A Cortical Column Networks
Blue Brain Simulations
From Mouse to Human
The Human Brain Project
Lecture Slides
Cortical Networks - Out of the Blue Project

Perception, Action, Cognition and Emotions
Sensory Transduction
Early Processing of Sensory Information
How Sensory Information Guides Motion
Higher Order Processes of Sensory Information
Emotions
Lecture Slides

From Synapses to Free Will?
What Did We Learn?
Reading Thoughts Part 1
Reading Thoughts Part 2
Free Will?
Lecture Slides
From Synapses to Free Will?

Course Conclusion
Farewell Words
Final Exam

Summary of User Reviews

Pros from User Reviews

Great lectures by engaging professors
Interactive quizzes and assignments for hands-on learning
Excellent resources and references provided for further reading
Suitable for both beginners and advanced learners
Practical experiments and demonstrations to reinforce concepts

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course content to be too technical
Limited opportunities for peer interaction and discussion
The course may require prior knowledge in neuroscience
Some users experienced technical difficulties with the platform
Not all topics are covered in depth

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