Franco Pestilli

This lecture course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the process of braindevelopment from embryogenesis through adulthood with emphasis on the role of the environment in directing this process. Initial lectures will focus on the origins of the central nervous system, including topics such as the organization of the brain, neurogenesis, cellular differentiation, migration and targeting of neurons, synapse formation and refinement of the nervous system. In the second half of the course, lectures will focus on the infant brain and the role of experiences during infancy in modifying brain function. Topics will also include recent advances in our understanding of the role of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic programming and shaping brain development. Finally, the adaptive vs. maladaptive outcomes of environmental modifications to the nervous system will be discussed. Throughout the course, students will be guided through examples of how changes in the developing nervous system lead to behavioral patterns both in infancy and adulthood.

Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience. Brain-behavior relationships, particularly recent research in behavioral neuroscience, including the anatomical and neurochemical mechanisms of behavioral events, and behavioral influences on the brain. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 1: Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience) and Psychology 394P (Topic 1) may not both be counted.

Cognitive and computational neuroscience is one of the fastest-growing areas of neuroscience. It spans the more traditional cognitive neuroscience, as well as, clinical, computational and network neuroscience. It requires skills and training drawing expertise from traditionally diverse disciplines and fields (medical imaging, neuroscience, computer science, and psychology among several). Often times, completing a competitive research project in a timely fashion requires, working in a team, and handling the full life cycle of research – from data acquisition and organization to data mining, analysis, and visualization. The modern team-based data science approach requires project management, communication and documentation to quickly and effectively implement the required aspects of the project to produce results and deliver a product within a limited time frame.