Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNsL3KADqxs
Transcript: Lecture 1.1 Transcript

Definition of Neuroscience

• UCLA Definition: Interdisciplinary study of the nervous system with the goal of understanding brain/nervous system function and neurological disease at multiple levels.
• Focus: Often on diseases, but understanding healthy functioning is equally important (e.g., cognition during healthy aging, normal vs. worrisome stress effects).

Scope of Neurosciences

• Disciplines Involved: Psychology, biology, chemistry, physics, medicine.
• Levels of Analysis:
  • Molecular (e.g., DNA, RNA, proteins).
  • Cellular (e.g., neuron types: motor vs. retinal neurons).
  • Synaptic (e.g., learning-induced changes in communication between cells).
  • Network (e.g., brain activity patterns in daydreaming, Alzheimer’s, psychological disorders).
  • Behavioral (focus of the course: observable behavior and its correlation with brain/nervous system activity).

Google Earth Analogy

• Neuroscience involves zooming in and out:
  • Molecular level: Studying the brain's building blocks.
  • Behavioral level: Observing outward behavior.

Computational Neuroscience

• Definition: Use of computational models to understand/predict living systems.
• Applications:
  • Basis of AI and smart prosthetics.
  • Understanding brain/nervous system function.
• Example: Both AI systems and the brain correct overfitting (e.g., avoiding superstitious connections). Dream content may help prevent overfitting.

Behavioral Neuroscience

• Focus of the course.
• Key concept: Reciprocal relationship between biology and behavior:
  • Biology influences behavior (e.g., biochemistry changes).
  • Behavior influences biology (e.g., mindset and neurobiology).
  • Example: Perceived social isolation vs. connectivity affects immune system priorities (Cole et al., 2015).
    • Isolation: Immune system prioritizes bacteria defense.
    • Connectivity: Immune system prioritizes virus defense.
    • Irony: COVID-19 lockdowns increased loneliness, potentially lowering viral protection.

Course Emphasis

• Explore neuroscience across all levels of analysis.
• Behavioral neuroscience ties observable behavior to brain/nervous system activity.
• Recognize the two-way street between behavior and biology:
  • Manipulating biochemistry affects feelings.
  • Mindset and thought processes influence biochemistry.
• Takeaway: Understanding these connections is empowering.