Biopsychology
• The scientific study of the biology of
behavior.
• It is a research intensive field.
• New findings continually update our
current state of knowledge.
Thus a course in Advanced
Biopsychology, studies the current state of
knowledge and contributes to furthering that
knowledge.
Pop Quiz: true/false
1. Everyone is born with all the neurons they
will have throughout life, what changes
are the connections between them.
2. When neurons of the CNS die they are
not replaced.
3. Glial cells provide the ‘glue’ that holds
neurons in place but do not directly
communicate with other cells.
4. Paralysis from stroke is permanent with
minimal functional restoration.
Dewsbury (1991)
The “biology” in “psychobiology” should include
the whole-animal approaches of ethology,
ecology, evolution…as well as the latest in
physiological methods and thought…. The
“compleat psychobiologist” should use whatever
explanatory power can be found with modern
physiological techniques, but never lose sight of
the problems that got us going in the first place:
the integrated behavior of whole, functioning,
adapted organisms. (p. 198).
Dewsbury, D.A. (1991). Psychobiology. American Psychologist, 46, 198-205.
Biopsychology – the scientific study
of the biology of behavior (Dewsbury, 1991).
• Psychobiology
• Behavioral biology

• Behavioral neuroscience
• Physiological psychology
It denotes a biological approach to
the study of psychology (the
scientific study of behavior).
“Although it is not possible to specify the
exact date of biopsychology’s birth, the
publication of The Organization of Behavior in
1949 by Donald Hebb played a key role in it’s
emergence.”
Karl Lashley (1890-1958)
• Coined the term “neuropsychology”
• Studied the effects of cortical lesions on learning
performance in rats with the goal of finding the
“engram” or locus of a memory trace.
• Principle of “equipotentiality”
• Principle of “mass action”
Phrenology
• Franz Joseph Gall (~1800)
• Personality traits can be
determined by measuring
protrusions or bumps on the skull.
• Although the methodology was discredited
as a pseudoscience, it did advance the
idea that certain functions may be
localized to specific brain regions.
Multiple memory systems
• Current research supports localization of
function…
• E.g., Different types of learning
– Behaviorism (S-R)
– Cognitivism (S-S)
• Neuropsychological evidence compellingly
demonstrates that different brain regions
mediate cognitive and associative
learning.
Can one localize ‘intelligence’
Once thought to be the complex function
of the prefrontal
cortex, until…
• Phineas Gage
Is the ‘Genius brain
different?
Can ‘genius’ really be quantified by neuroscientists?
Several publications have reported differences between
Einstein’s brain compared to ‘normal’ control brains,
which has led to some debate among scientists.
References:
1. Diamond, M.C., et al., 1985. On the brain of a scientist: Albert Einstein. Exp Neurol 88,
198-204.
2. Kantha, S.S., 1992. Albert Einstein's dyslexia and the significance of Brodmann Area 39
of his left cerebral cortex. Med Hypotheses 37, 119-122.
3. Anderson, B., Harvey, T., 1996. Alterations in cortical thickness and neuronal density in
the frontal cortex of Albert Einstein. Neurosci Lett 210, 161-164.
4. Galaburda, A.M., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1821; author reply 1822.
5. Hines, T., 1998. Further on Einstein's brain. Exp Neurol 150, 343-344.
6. Salvatori, R., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1821-1822.
7. Seitz, J.A., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1822-1823.
8. Colombo, J.A., et al., 2006. Cerebral cortex astroglia and the brain of a genius: a propos
of A. Einstein's. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 52, 257-263.
A strange journey
The brain-snatcher: Thomas Harvey
The driver:
Michael Paterniti
The passenger:
Einstein’s brain
“Anticlimactic endings are like
taking your dog for a walk
only to watch him urinate on
your rug when you come
back home. Not that the walk
itself wasn’t enjoyable, just
that the end result leaves a
lot to be desired.”
Review:
Horowitz, S. (2000). Driving Mr. Albert: A trip across America with Einstein’s brain, by
Michael Paterniti. Nature Medicine, 6, 1090.
Recommended Text
Brian Burrell (2005)
Chapter 14: Einstein’s Brain
NPR interview with Burrell
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4602913
The book includes an excellent critical
review of the scientific studies
performed with bits of the brain.
For example…
Diamond et al., 1985
One out of 28 results were significant (p<.05): Einstein had a smaller neuron-toglial cell ratio in area 39 of the left hemisphere. Concluded that, like rats exposed
to an enriched environment, Einstein had more glial cells to support neurons in a
brain region mediating visuospatial and math functions.
Many flaws with the study: unspecified control, questionable data selection,
transformation and statistical tests etc.
Maybe the glial cells were increased because of early
damage related to Einstein’s delayed language
development
A picture is worth a million $
“A. Einstein's astrocytic processes showed larger sizes and higher numbers of…bulbous
endings...of unknown significance and they have been described occurring in Alzheimer's disease.
These observations are placed in the context of the general discussion regarding the proposal –
by other authors – that structural, postmortem characteristics of the aged brain of Albert Einstein
may serve as markers of his cognitive performance, a proposal to which the authors of this paper
do not subscribe, and argue against.”
Lessons
Review research carefully, even studies
published in peer reviewed journals.
…is the rationale sound?
…are the methods used appropriate?
…is the interpretation justified?
Healthy skepticism = good science
Localization of function
• Is still an open question
• As consumers of science, you should be a
discerning critic of research findings
• neo-phrenology or something more
• Brains and behavior are incredibly
complex…
The brain paradox
Flex your
mental
might…
It’s all in
how you
use it
Duhh, donut
Biopsychology in the news
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•
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http://www.npr.org/
http://www.biopsychology.com/
http://www.brainconnection.com/
http://www.sfn.org/
http://www.dana.org/braincenter.cfm
Thinking about the Biology of Behavior
Homersapien
Evolution
Genes
GDE
Current
Organism
Current
Situation
Development Experience
Current
Behavior
Multiple levels of brain organization
Behavior and Cognition
Systems and Circuits
Synapses and Neurons
Genes and Molecules
Why study behavior if the all the action
is at the molecular and genetic levels?
Answer:
The proof is in the behavior
A Drug company makes a major
discovery!
Would you take a
longevity pill?
The silver bullet of longevity
that could extend your life
by 50 years
But what if there was
no proof that it
preserves cognitive
function?
Genes and Aging
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3401/01.html
http://www.genesistoday.com/genesis_today_products/resv_berry_juice.html
Product endorsement?
Harvard Anti-Aging Researcher Quits Shaklee Advisory Board
By KEITH J. WINSTEIN Wall Street Journal DECEMBER 26, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123025446150734561.html
At an August sales conference, Dr. Sinclair told Shaklee's
salespeople that "over a year ago, we set out together to
do this, to make a product that you could actually
activate these genetic pathways that can slow down
aging." In a video of the conference -- posted on the
Internet -- he added, "Together, as part of the Shaklee
family...we can take this technology right now, to our
friends, to our family, and really have the benefits of this
new technology right now, within our lifetimes, and you'll
learn more about the Vivix product later."
Resveratrol in red wine?
Procyanidin – vitamin P
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/hot-chocolate-fight-dementia-study-article-1.1421045
Blueberry flavonoids