Neuroscience 1040
Biological Bases of Learning and Memory
Fall Term 2010
Academic Calendar 2010/2011
Class Meeting Time: Monday & Friday, 3:00-4:15 pm
Room: A224 Langley Hall
Instructor: Dr. Germán Barrionuevo,
Professor of Neuroscience
Office:
467 Crawford Hall
Telephone:
412 624 7330
Email:
german@pitt.edu
Web: http://cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/people/peopleDetail.aspx?uid=4
1
REQUIRED TEXBOOK
“The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory”
by Jerry W. Rudy
2
SYLLABUS
Handout
Textbook
Part I:
Introduction: Definition of memory and learning.
Introduction
Chapter 1(pp.1- 10)
Topic 1: Stages of Memory
Macroscopic Organization
of the Human Brain
Yes
N/A
Topic 2: Acute and Chronic Alcoholism
Korsakoff Wernicke Syndrome
Cases NA and BY
Anatomy of the Diencephalic Region
Yes
N/A
Topic 3: Degenerative Diseases: Alzheimer’s Disease
Anatomy of the Hippocampal Formation
Yes
N/A
Topic 4: Patients with selective Hippocampus damage
Patients HM, RB, GD, LM, and WH.
Yes
Chapter 12 (pp. 245-247)
Topic 5: Hippocampus Index and Episodic Memory
Yes
Chapters 13
First Exam: Friday October 1
Part II:
Topic 6: Regional Localization of Neural
Processes Involved in Learning
and Memory in Primates.
Yes
Topic 7: General Overview of the Behavioral
Paradigms Used to Study Learning in the
Laboratory: Habituation, Sensitization
and Classical Conditioning.
Yes
N/A
Topic 8: General overview of the experimental
techniques commonly used to determine
the memory site.
Yes
N/A
Topic 9: Second messengers
Use of Simple Nervous Systems:
The Case of the Aplysia (GWR)
Yes
3
Chapter 12 (pp. 236-245)
Chapter 2 (pp. 18-22)
Topic 10: Use-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity:
Long-term Potentiation (LTP) of Synaptic
Transmission in the Mammalian Brain
Yes
Chapter 2 (pp. 22-44)
As per Office of the University Registrar, class on Monday 10/11 will be shifted to Tuesday 10/12 (Tuesday
classes are canceled).
Second Exam: Friday November 4
Part III:
Topic 12: Use-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity:
Molecular mechanisms of LTP
Yes
Chapters 3-6
Topic 13: Relevance of LTP in memory
Yes
Chapter 7
Topic 14: Modulation of Memory Storage
Yes
Chapter 10
Topic 15: The Neurobiology of Fear Memories
Yes
Chapter 16
Last Day of Class: Friday December 10
Third Exam: Saturday December 18 @ 10:00 am to 11:50 am
4