biolpsy1_2024fall_-_lecture02

Biological Psychology Overview

• Course: Biological Psychology 1

• Lecture Title: Basic Ideas in Modern Neuroscience

• Instructor: Dr. Richárd Reichardt

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

Main Assumption of Neuroscience

• The central premise of neuroscience posits that the brain produces mental phenomena and behavior.

Historical Context of the Assumption

• Ancient Beliefs: Early civilizations believed the heart was the center of intellect and mental life.

• Galen's Contribution: Demonstrated that the brain is critical for mental functions by showing that cutting the laryngeal nerve caused mutism, implying intellect resides in the brain.

Key Historical Figures and Discoveries

• René Descartes: Proposed that certain behaviors could be explained through physical phenomena, leading to the conceptualization of reflexes.

• Luigi Galvani: Discovered that electricity can stimulate muscle movement, termed 'animal electricity' through his experiments.

• Santiago Ramón y Cajal: Established the cellular composition of the nervous system utilizing advancements in microscopy.

• Sir Charles Scott Sherrington: Expanded on reflex concepts, indicating complex movements could also stem from reflex action.

• Wilder Penfield: Conducted brain stimulation on epilepsy patients, eliciting conscious experiences and sensations during surgeries.

Patient Experiences during Studies

• Recorded diverse sensations and emotions during brain stimulation, ranging from visual hallucinations to feelings of detachment and tingling.

• These experiences emphasize the brain's active role in producing sensory and emotional phenomena.

Behavioral Neuroscience

• Focus: Studies the neural basis of behavior across different levels:

• Social Level: Interactions among individuals influenced by neural systems.

• Organ Level: Examines the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

• Circuit Level: Studies local neural circuits.

• Cellular Level: Focuses on single neurons.

• Molecular Level: Investigates molecular mechanisms at synapses.

Popularity of Neuroscience

• Neuroscience is increasingly recognized due to:

• Relevance: Its implications for addressing brain dysfunctions affecting many aspects of human health.

• Mystery: The intricate and complex nature of the human brain presents challenges to complete understanding.

• Growth of Research: The number of published scientific articles in neuroscience has seen a significant increase from 1950 to 2020.

Current Directions and Interests in Neuroscience

• Innovative Techniques: Investigations into focused ultrasound and therapeutic applications like Neuro CarThera and SonoCloud.

• Research in Psychedelics: Renewed focus on mind-altering substances to aid mental health treatment, reflecting current trends in neuroscience applications.

• Commercial Interest: Emerging fields such as neuromarketing and brain-machine interfaces (e.g., Elon Musk's projects) show the growing integration of neuroscience in business.

Summary

• The fundamental premise that the brain produces mental phenomena and behavior drives the focus of behavioral neuroscience in addressing this complex relationship.

Next Class Information

• Upcoming Topic: Macroscopic and Microscopic Neuroanatomy

• Thank you for your attention!