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Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life

Approx. 28 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an introduction to neurobiology, exploring the structure and function of the nervous system at the molecular, cellular, and systems level.

Key Learning Points

Gain a fundamental understanding of the nervous system and its role in behavior and cognition
Explore the latest research in neurobiology and its potential applications
Learn about the effects of drugs and diseases on the nervous system

Learning Outcomes

Develop a foundational understanding of neurobiology and its applications
Gain familiarity with current research in neurobiology
Understand the effects of drugs and diseases on the nervous system

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of biology and chemistry
Familiarity with scientific research methods

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Assignments
Quizzes

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Foundational Neuroscience for Perception and Action
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Description

Learn how the nervous system produces behavior, how we use our brain every day, and how neuroscience can explain the common problems afflicting people today. We will study functional human neuroanatomy and neuronal communication, and then use this information to understand how we perceive the outside world, move our bodies voluntarily, stay alive, and play well with others.

Outline

The Nervous System
Introduction: The Bauby Story
Ethics and Brain Science
I Am a Patient
The Four Functions
Central Anatomy
Meet the Stars: Neurons
Parts of the Neuron
Neuronal Uniqueness: Stars of the Sky
Glial Cells
Myelin
Demyelinating Diseases
Meninges
Peripheral Diseases
Brain Tumors
The Brain and the Spinal Cord
Meninges
Brain Tumors
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Clinical Vignette: Brain Tumor
Additional Resources
The Nervous System

Neural Communication + Embodied Emotion
Electrical Language
Electricity Review
Action Potential
Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Neurotransmitter Release
Clostridial Toxins: Botox
Signal Termination
Receptors
Metabotropic Receptors
Wrap-Up: Neurocommunication
Introduction to Embodied Emotion
Enteric Nervous System
Parasympathetics & Sympathetics
Parasympathetic/Sympathetic Balance
Autonomic Pharmacology: Adjusting the PS/S System
Spinal Cord Injury
Wrap-Up: Embodied Emotion
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
Optional Survey on MOOCs
Neurocommunications

Neuroanatomy
Introduction to Neuroanatomy
Neural Tube Formation
Neural Tube Defects
Brain Vesicles
Expansion of the Cerebral Cortex
Two Forebrain Tracts
Cerebral Palsy
Nerves
CNS Regional Functions
Hemisphere Functions
Aphasia
Language Circuits
Making a Flat Schematic of the Brain
Oxygen and Cerebral Blood Flow
Blood Supply
Strokes and Tumors
Bleeds
Spinal Cord
Inside the Cranium
Telencephalon
Cortex
Cerebellum
Visual Pathway
Pituitary Tumors
Blood Supply
Hippocampus & Alzheimer's Disease
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resource
Neuroanatomy

Perception and Vision
Introduction to Perception
Sensory Interpretation: Optical Illusions
Sensory Interpretation: Auditory Illusions
Sensory Interpretation: Weber's Law
Stimulus Set
The Road to Perception
Name the Senses
The Visual Pathway
Distance Vision
Near Vision + Near Triad
Emmetropization
Light Path
Rods and Cones
Central Vision
Color Vision
Visual Fields
The Importance of Edges
Visual Perception
Learning to See
Sheep Brain vs Human Brain
Sheep Cerebellum
Sheep Brain Parts
Sheep Brainstem
Sheep Ventricles, pt.1
Sheep Ventricles, pt.2
Sheep Spinal Cord & Cauda Equina
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Clinical Vignette: Albinism
Additional Resources
Perception and Vision

Hearing
Introduction to Hearing
Experiences of Hearing Loss
Hearing Pathways
External Ear
Rinne Test
Middle Ear
Inner Ear
Cochlear Amplifier
Outer Hair Cell Motility
Otoacoustic Emissions
Hearing Loss
Weber and Rinne
Expectation: Interpreting Sound
Prosody
Communication
Wrap-up: Hearing
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Clinical Vignette: One Man's Story of Hearing
Additional Resources
Hearing

The Vestibular Sense & Gaze
Introduction to Vestibular Sense
The Vestibular Stimulus
Canals and Otoconial Masses
Hair Cell Orientation
Yoked End Organs, Part 1
Yoked End Organs, Part 2
Otoconial Disorders
Visual Integration
The VOR Is Fast
Horizontal VOR Circuitry
Nystagmus
Adapting the VOR
Eye Movements
Saccades
Saccade Circuits
Controlling Saccades
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
The Vestibular Sense & Gaze

Voluntary Movements
Introduction to Voluntary Movement
Motor Hierarchy
Problems with Motor Hierarchy
Motor Modulation
Fast and Slow Fibers
Motoneuron Types
Orderly Recruitment
Exercise and Muscle Mass
Monosynaptic Reflex
Co-activation
Gamma Reflex Loop
Posture
Postural Control
Central Pattern Generator
Intro to Self-Generated Movements
Praxis
Emotional Movements
Wrap-up
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
Voluntary Movements

Motor Modulation
The Data-Driven Cerebellum
The Purkinje Cell
Cerebellar Functions
Cerebellar Topography
Cerebellar Laterality
Efference Copy and Sensory Reafference
Cerebellar Learning and the VOR
Extreme Vestibular Plasticity (optional)
More Cerebellar Learning
Action Selection
Basal Ganglia Anatomy
Basal Ganglia Pathways
Basal Ganglia Experiment (optional)
Operational Learning
Chunking
Parkinson's Disease
Non-Motor Functions of Basal Ganglia
Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia Cooperation
Wrap-Up: Voluntary Movement, part 2
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
Motor Modulation

Homeostasis
Introduction to Homeostasis
Hypothalamic Anatomy
Pituitary Gland & Gigantism
Post-Partum Mood Disorders
Thermoregulation
Hyperthermia
Fever and Hot Flashes
Breathing
Urination
Problems with the Urination System
Sleep Phenomenology
Sleep Mechanisms
Wrap-Up: Homeostasis
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
Homeostasis

Abstract Function
Introduction to Abstract Function
Bauby and Emotion
Thalamic Attention
Mushroom Hunting
Memory Types
PTSD
Semantic Memories
Episodic Memories
The Story of H.M.
Memory Formation Circuitry
Hollywood Amnesia
Clinical Amnesia
Introduction to Language
Aphasias
Prosody
Intellectual Disability
Your Brain, Your Illness
Future Challenges
In-Video Quiz Questions and Answers
Additional Resources
Introduction to Abstract Function

Summary of User Reviews

This neurobiology course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. The course covers a range of topics related to the nervous system, and has been praised for its engaging lectures and clear explanations. Overall, users have found the course to be informative and enjoyable.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Users have praised the engaging lectures and clear explanations provided in the course.

Pros from User Reviews

Informative content on various topics related to neurobiology
Engaging lectures that keep users interested
Clear explanations that are easy to understand
Well-structured course material that makes it easy to follow along

Cons from User Reviews

Some users have found the course to be too basic and lacking in-depth information
The course can be quite challenging for users who do not have a background in biology or neuroscience
The quizzes and assignments can be quite difficult and time-consuming
Some users have reported technical issues with the platform

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