Anatomy and Physiology of
Central Nervous System and Complex Nervous Activity
PSY 119
Spring 2015
Professor: Elena Molchanova, MD
Office: Main Building, 209
Office phone: 663309 (*239)
Email: molchanova_e@auca.kg, emolchanova2009@gmail.com
Office hours: by appointment
Course language: English
Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9.00 – 9.45
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: no
Course status: required
Course materials
Main textbook 1: Carlson, N. (2007). Physiology of Behavior, 9th edition (downloaded
at e-course)
Main textbook 2: Gazzaniga, M & et al (1998). Cognitive neuroscience; the biology of
mind. NY. P.550 (available in our library)
Additional materials:
1. Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd
edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2001).
2. Garrett, B. Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology, 2nd edition.
Sage (2009).
3. Thompson, R. The Brain: A Neuroscience Primer, 2nd edition. W.H. Freeman and
Company (1993).
You will also find all additional materials posted at www.e-course.auca.kg, code word:
“brain2015”
Course description
From the human anatomy perspective we will study the nervous system and the structure
of the brain, identify its different lobes and cortices, and analyze various tissues and organ
systems within CNS in accordance to their functional and regional contexts.. You will learn
about neuron development and plasticity, neurobiological systems, such as the sensory and
motor systems, and the neural mechanisms of such complex phenomena, as memory, cognition,
and emotions.
Course objectives
The main goal of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to examine the
structural and functional features of human nervous system and higher nervous activity in the
pursuit of deeper understanding of the biological basics of human behavior. Thus, core
objectives of the course are:
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Identification of the organization of the CNS and its anatomy alongside explanation of
the interactions and communication between major organ systems,
Thorough presentation and explanation of the complementary interaction between
structure and function complement within human nervous system,
Sound investigation and analysis of the major neurobiological systems in the human
body,
Overview of the contemporary research methodology used for historical and modern
neuroscientific studies,
Analysis of neurobiological mechanisms underlying higher behavioral functions, such as
language, emotion, learning, as well as those involved in various psychopathological
states.
Course assessment
1. Attendance and participation – 10%. Students are expected to attend every class.
Missing more than 3 classes without presenting a proper excuse (e.g. medical certificate)
will affect your grade.
2. Mini-tests – 40%. Mini-tests will take place every week to ensure that students have
prepared their reading assignments, to evaluate students’ understanding and
comprehension of the course materials, and to help students in preparation for the final
exams.
3. Presentation and discussion facilitation – 10%. Students will be required to make an
individual presentation for the course and facilitate the discussion based on the
presentation material in class. Presentation topics are offered later in this syllabus. To
facilitate the discussion students will need to prepare at least a couple of critical questions
for their fellow students based on the chosen topic or plan a debate related to the topic of
the presentation. The facilitator needs to inform the instructor about the time required for
the planned discussion activity in advance.
Assessment of the individual presentation (max 20):
Content – 10
Comprehensible presentation and/or usage or visual aids – 3
Discussion facilitation – 5
Proper formatting and graphics – 2
4. Final exam. Cumulative final exam will contain both multiple choice and essay
questions.
Grading scale
90-100% = A;
89.5-89.9% = A____________________________
89.1-89.4% = B+;
75.5-89% = B;
74.5-74.9% = B-;
_____________________________
74.0-74.4% = C+;
60-74% = C;
60.0-60.4% = C-;
______________________________
59.5-59.9% = D+;
51-59.0% = D;
50.0-50.4% = D______________________________
0-49.9% = F.
Tentative topics for presenting in class:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Research methods in neurosciences: EEG
Research methods in neurosciences: brain imaging techniques
Research methods in neurosciences: experimental ablation
Research methods in neurosciences: Jose Delgado experiments
Hydrocephalus. Diagnosis and treatment
Demyelinating diseases: multiple sclerosis and Guillain Barre Syndrome. Diagnosis and
treatment
7. Neurophysiology of stress. Posttraumatic stress disorder
8. Depression and learning helplessness syndrome.
9. Alien-hand syndrome
10. Neurobiology of aphasias
11. Extraordinary memory. Biological bases of extraordinary memory.
12. Synesthesia. Biological basis of synesthesia
13. Savants. Case study of a “Rain man”
14. Serotonin and obsessive compulsive disorder.
15. Amnesias. Types of amnesias.
16. Amnesias in popular culture.
17. Neuroplasticity
18. Neurobiology of depression
19. Frontal lobe syndrome
20. Neurobiology of schizophrenia
Class schedule
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Topic
Introduction to the discipline. Structure of a
nervous cells
Communication within a neuron: action
potential.
Communication between neurons: synapse and
non-synaptic interactions.
Presentation
Multiple sclerosis
Week 4
Structure of the central nervous system and the
brain. Major lobes and cortices.
Research methods in
neurosciences
Week 5
Protection system of the brain. Brain-blood
barrier.
Structure and functions of the limbic system.
Emotional brain
Hydrocephalus. Diagnosis and
treatment
Neurobiology of stress.
Structure and functions of mesencephalon
Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators
Spring break
Cerebral lateralization and specialization.
Experiments of Michael Gazzaniga and Rodger
Sperry
Frontal lobe. Executive functions of the frontal
lobe. Broca’s aphasia
Neurobiology of cognitive functioning: learning,
memory, speech.
Neurobiology of anxiety
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Brain development
Week 14
Week 15
Neurological disorders. Neurodegenerative
conditions. Stroke. Epilepsy. Syndromes and
sensory impairments
Neurobiological bases of mental disorders.
Week 16
Final exam week
Alien-hand syndrome
Neurobiology of aphasias
Extraordinary memory.
Biological bases of
extraordinary memory.
Synesthesia
Neuroplasticity
Amnesias. Types of amnesias.
Amnesias in popular culture
Neurobiological bases of any
(matter of choice) mental
disorder