biolpsy_02

Lecture Overview

• Title: Biological Psychology 1 - Basic Ideas in Modern Neuroscience

• Instructor: Dr. Richárd Reichardt

• Contact: reichardt.richard@ppk.elte.hu

Main Assumption of Neuroscience

• The central assertion of neuroscience is that the brain produces mental phenomena and behavior.

Historical Context

Ancient Beliefs

• Early civilizations believed that the heart was the center of intellect and mental life.

Galen's Contributions

• Roman interpretations: Intellect associated with the voice, thought to arise from the heart.

• Galen's research: Displayed that cutting the laryngeal nerve in animals leads to lack of sound, indicating that intellect must originate from the brain.

Theoretical Developments in Neuroscience

Descartes' Reflex Concept

• René Descartes proposed that some behaviors can be understood via physical phenomena, introducing the concept of reflex actions.

Luigi Galvani's Findings

• Animal electricity: Demonstrated through a frog muscle-nerve preparation, showing that electricity can stimulate muscle movement.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal's Discoveries

• Advocated that the nervous system consists of individual cells, influenced by advancements in microscopy.

Sherrington's Reflex Expansion

• Sir Charles Scott Sherrington expanded the understanding of reflexes, noting complex movements could also result from reflex actions.

Penfield's Brain Stimulation Studies

• Penfield's experiments involved stimulating the brains of epilepsy patients, leading to revelations about conscious phenomena.

Patient Experiences during Brain Stimulation

• Descriptions of sensations experienced by patients during brain stimulations, revealing a rich tapestry of physical and emotional responses to stimuli, such as:

  • Visual changes (e.g., colors, patterns).

  • Feeling of floating or movement.

  • Nausea and negative sensory associations (e.g., smells).

Levels of Investigation in Behavioral Neuroscience

Various Levels of Analysis

• Social Level: Interactions in social contexts.

• Neural Systems Level: Systems within the brain.

• Individuals Behaving: Observable actions of individuals.

• Organ Level: Structure of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

• Brain Region Level: Specific brain areas like the visual cortex.

• Circuit Level: Local neural circuits.

• Cellular Level: Activity of single neurons.

• Molecular Level: Molecular and synaptic interactions.

Growth and Popularity of Neuroscience

Increasing Scientific Contributions

• Documented rise in indexed scientific articles on neuroscience from 1950 to 2020, with significant annual increases.

Reasons for Neuroscience's Popularity

Relevance

• The functioning of the brain can go awry, making it a key concern for humanity.

Mystery

• The complex nature of the human brain presents ongoing challenges for complete understanding.

Current Directions in Neuroscience

Innovative Techniques

• Focused Ultrasound Stimulation: New methods under exploration for brain influence.

• Research on Mind-Altering Substances: Renewed focus on treatments for mental disorders.

Corporate Interest

• Neuromarketing: Established industry using neuroscience for marketing strategies.

• Elon Musk's ventures into developing brain-machine interfaces for direct brain communication.

Conclusion

• The brain is foundational to mental function and behavior, a primary focus of behavioral neuroscience.