Course Catalog

システム神経科学
System Neuroscience

計算論的神経科学
2単位

Computational Neuroscience

2単位

ception, behavioral actions, emotions, decision-tional neuroscience, which is an approach for un-making and thinking are mediated by nerve cells

derstanding brain functions through mathematicalin the brain, more than 1,000 million of which ex-formulation. Participants learn how to analyze andist in the cerebral cortex alone, making local andhypothesize through a computational point of viewglobal, hierarchical networks, and representing andon their own project. The approaches of computa-processing neuronal information under specialized

tional neuroscience try to understand brain func-

working principles. In System neuroscience, gradu-

tions by analyzing multiple levels of neuroscientificate students are expected to master the coding ofphenomena on molecular, cell, network and systemnerve signals, detection and perception of sensory

levels. The goal of this course is to study math-stimuli, control of actions and motor learning,ematical and statistical concepts bridging multiple

emotion and decision-making. Classes will consist

levels of neural and behavioral data, such as neu-of lectures, workshops and discussions in a small

ral encoding and decoding, information theory, andgroup of students and professors.

Bayesian statistics.

コンピュータシミュレーション技法

システム神経科学技法
System Neuroscience Technique

1単位

Computer Simulation Technique

1単位

To understand the mechanism of the neural system,

Computer simulation is an effective method to con-researchers need to obtain precise and reliablefirm what phenomena emerge from a hypothesized

experimental data by an appropriate combination

model. For instance, we can easily examine theof several experimental techniques. In this lecture,effect of a certain cause by using a simulation of

students will learn the basics and applications ofa biologically detailed model. This also allows us

anatomical and physiological techniques widelyto understand the background mechanisms of anused in neuroscience, such as tracer injections, mi-observed phenomenon by looking for the smallest

croscopy, electroencephalograms, and extracellularmodel required in order to reproduce that phenom-and intracellular recordings. The students willenon. This lecture provides concrete examples tolearn how to select experimental techniques andstudy the required basic techniques in regards to

how to analyze their experiment data in accordance

the 2 contrary courses of action of pursuing bio-with the purpose of their own studies.

logical fidelity on one side and of simplification inorder to find mechanisms on the other.

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In this course, we review theoretical and computa-

脳情報研究科

Higher-order brain functions such as sensory per-脳画像解析学
Brain Image Analysis

発達科学
2単位

Developmental Science

2単位

The goals of this class are to master the theory ofThis course is intended for students to seek thehuman non-invasive measurement of brain activity,

essence of human behavioral changes with a fo-

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), andcus on cognitive psychology, developmental psy-

to cultivate the skills for experimental designs andchology and linguistics, in order to deepen theiranalyses for fMRI.

understanding. In particular, students will learn

In the first half, students will learn about possible

about the latest research on scientific approaches

dangers, ethical issues for participants, and imag-to understanding a variety of findings in the de-ing mechanisms in MRI experiments. Also, students

velopmental process of infants. The first half ofwill gain understanding on RF pulse sequences andthe course will focus on explaining the concept ofthe meanings of the MR images. Furthermore, stu-development in science (Hiroyuki Okada). We will

dents will learn how to control interface devices,

also touch upon the modeling of learning mecha-

such as stimulus presentation systems, recording

nisms through a connectionist approach, which hassystems for biological reaction etc., which are nec-

become a hot topic in recent years. In the latter

essary for fMRI experiments.

half, we will reveal various experimental aspects

In the latter half, students will study from basicof its development, by concentrating on language

analyses to applied ones for fMRI data. Then, inacquisition in infants (Mutsumi Imai).

order to understand the detailed research methodsof fMRI correctly, students will gain the knowledge required for task design with considerationof the characteristics of fMRI. Furthermore, stu-

発達科学技法Developmental Science Technique

1単位dents will actually try to make task designs along

The recent development of brain sciences has had

some given themes and have discussions in order toa major impact on cognitive developmental science,

make up their skills for their own fMRI research.

since it is essential to interpret brain data corresponding to behavioral data. This course provides
opportunities to learn and experience various re-

ニューロイメージング技法
Neuroimaging Technique

1単位

search methods of developmental sciences so thatstudents can apply suggestions from brain research

The aim of this course is to learn about proce-to education, connecting information from linguis-dures for fMRI studies. The student will be shown

tics, cognitive psychology, and developmental psy-

how to perform fMRI tasks and how to calculate

chology. Students will experience data collection

fMRI data. The student will also experience 3

and analysis of questionnaires, surveys, behavioral

tesla MRI operation.

observations, and behavioral experiments. Especially in behavioral observations, we will discuss
the correlation between mother-child/child-childsocial interaction and first/second language acquisition. Students will also learn recording methods
and analysis of EEG and NIRS, which are broadly130applied to infants and children. By comparing these
multiple research methods, we will discuss appropriate usage of these methods.

脳情報先端セミナーＡ（ロボット工学）
Advanced Brain Informatics A (Robotics)

1単位

Robotics consists of various fields of technology,
such as mechanics, electricity, electrons and infor-

社会科学から見た脳科学
The Impact of Brain Science on Social Sciences 2単位

mation. It is thought that intelligence technology isof importance for this fusion. In this course, stu-Findings in the brain sciences have recently had

dents will study the latest research on the forms

significant impacts on various fields in the socialof technology that are classified for intelligent

sciences, providing impetus for collaborative ef-robots. In particular, topics such as autonomous

forts between brain scientists and social scientists.

mobile robot, image recognition, and self-position

The goal of this course is to delineate the scope

identification are studied.

science could have on research and theory building in social sciences—beyond the fields of neuroeconomics and behavior economics—from the per-

脳情報研究科of the potential implications that findings in brain脳型学習システム
Brain-type Learning Systems

1単位information-integration is related to“learningand memory.”Therefore, in order to understand

コミュニケーションロボット工学
Communication Robot Engineering

2単位high order functions, it is very important to study
learning and memory systems. In this lecture,

In the case of communication between human sub-learning and memory systems from the synapse

jects, one tries to estimate what the other party

level of a single neuron to the network level ofintends to do in order to establish optimal mutual

neurons are explained. The mechanism and dynam-interactions, because the other party is a human

ics of learning and memory are introduced frombeing with his/her own will. Lectures in Communi-

both the experimental side and the theoretic side.

cation Robot Engineering cover theoretical models

In addition, the relation between information rep-required for constructing robots that can interact

resentation and the memory function in the brain

with humans, for the development of cognitive

will be touched upon. Furthermore, the latest

functions and for algorithms for control systems.

knowledge about learning and memory will be pre-While studying the literature, graduate students

sented.

introduce and discuss the latest researches, which
will be provided by the professors, to learn about
the backgrounds and perspectives of researches in
the field of communication robot engineering, andabout how to read the literature.

パラレル情報処理解析学
Parallel Information Processing

2単位

To understand information processing in the brain,
it is necessary to analyze functional spike activities of many neurons which are simultaneously
measured through a multi-neuronal recording technique. In this lecture, students will learn the basics

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学則・規程

In the information processing of the brain, anyspectives of the social scientists.and applications of this multi-neuronal recording
technique, focusing in particular on classical andup-to-date researches on the mechanism of spatial

情報創成科学
Information Creation Science

2単位

cognition and memory by hippocampal neurons in

Animals with developed brains have inference

rats. The students will also have a simulated ex-abilities with which they can estimate relationships

perience to review an original paper as a reviewer

between events without direct experience. Thesewith scientific insight and criticism.

abilities enable human beings, who have the mostadvanced inference abilities, to create new things

脳情報先端セミナーＢ（神経計算論）
Advanced Brain Informatics B (Neural Computation) 1単位and events. To understand the basic mechanismsof creative brain functions, we will study (1) psychological theories in learning and thinking and (2)The purpose of this course is to learn about cut-theories in neural computation. At the end of theting edge studies in computational neuroscience,course, we will discuss the results of recent stud-

theoretical and practical approaches for neurosci-

ies on inference, thinking and creativity.

ence by using computational models, and about
methods of analysis with computational hypothesis in the students’own research fields. In thiscourse, we conduct a series of seminars by invited

脳情報先端セミナーＣ（情報創成）
Advanced Brain Informatics C (Information Creation) 1単位

speakers who are globally active in computational

The research of information creation (i.e. thinking,neuroscience and related fields. Participants willreasoning and creativity) is lectured in terms of

not only study advanced ideas and approaches ofexperimental psychology, neuroscience, and com-these fields but will also learn computational andputational neuroscience. The mechanisms of humanquantitative analysis methods for their own re-creativity are explained based on the evidence ofsearch projects.

neuroscientific animal experiments. This lecture
is given in English. The students are required tohave the ability to discuss in English.

認知科学
Cognitive Science

2単位

The origin of human intellectual activity is thebrain, but, depending on the actions, it is pos-

心理物理学
Psychophysics

2単位sible to observe activities to create wisdom. The

In system-neuroscience, well-controlled stimulus

understanding of intelligent behavior as informa-presentation and accurate measurement of behav-tion processing leads to a deeper understanding ofior are indispensable. Experimental psychology has

knowledge. In this lecture, we discuss the concepts

developed psychophysical methods to analyze theof cognitive science, methodology, and research

relationship between stimulus and response. In thistrends.

course, we will systematically study psychophysical methods and related psychological theories, aswell as discuss recent psychological studies. We
will also talk on how we can apply psychophysicaltechniques to neuroscience research.

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resentation, and cognition of music in reference

神経経済学
Neuroeconomics

2単位to recent music-theoretical research. In doing so,
the student gains an insight into the formation ofNeuroeconomis is a new academic field that sud-various categories of musical entities, the identi-

denly arose at the end of the 20th century. Neuro-fication and designation of the categories, and theeconomics is based on behavioral economics, sys-relationships between category formation and ourtems neuroscience for decision-making, and humanunderstanding of music. Finally, as possible top-functional neuroimaging. In the neuroeconomicsics of final projects, we will discuss the computer

course, students will learn the basic methods formodeling of composition and performance of music,neuroeconomics and its findings. Students will also

and its theories and implementations.

study the findings of neuromarketing, which is acurrent extension of neuroeconomics. We will asat present and in the future. Furthermore, we will

神経倫理学
Neuroethics

2単位

Neuroethics recently emerged through the interac-perspective of neuroeconomics by considering dif-tion between life-ethics and system-neuroscience

ferent aspects of this new research field.

and consequently has two aspects. One is“theethics of neuroscience,”which criticizes studiesof neuroscience from the view point of ethics and社会システム制御論
Social System Control

2単位morals. The other is“the neuroscience of ethics,”
which investigates the neural mechanisms of ethi-

It is important to understand the individual play-cal decision-making. In this course, we will readers that constitute a society in order to control thepapers related to both aspects of neuroethics andsocial system. However, a society is not a simple

we will consider how neuroscientific studies oncollection of individuals. Without a perspective

ethics and moral influence our lives and society.

to understand mutual communications among society members, it would be difficult to decide andimplement social policies and plans. For better
institutional design, it is necessary to understand

病態神経科学
Pathological Neuroscience

2単位

the mechanisms of cognition and emotion in social

The aim of this course is to learn about symptoms

decision-making and their neural substrates. Thisof psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia,

course will be delivered in the form of lectures,depression, autistic disorder, and neurological dis-workshops, and group discussion.

order. A further aim is to investigate appropriate
methods to identify neuronal bases of psychiatricand behavioral symptoms using neuroimaging tech-

神経感性工学
Neural KANSEI Engineering

2単位niques.

This course discusses the information processingof music from the perspective of cognitive science.
The student studies the structure, knowledge rep-

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学則・規程

try to identify the essence and search the future

脳情報研究科sess how valid neuromarketing is for our society分子生命工学
Molecular Bio-engineering

脳情報研究法Ⅱ（研究計画）
2単位

Brain Informatics Research Method II (Research Planning) 2単位

Modern neuroscience is on the verge of uncover-

Scientific research is a methodology, which pro-ing the mechanisms of the development of neurons

vides new experiences from which new knowledge

and glial cells in the central nervous system, andis also deduced, by conducting well-organized ex-also those of memory and learning at the molecularperiments, analyzing their results and inspecting

level.

these results carefully.

The final goal of this class is for the student to be

In order to clarify the differences between newlyable to acquire basic knowledge of molecular biol-obtained knowledge and conventional knowledge, it

ogy and the ability to apply this basic knowledge

is necessary to design a well-organized plan and toto neuroscientific research.

carry out experiments according to this plan for

The class is composed of two parts: the first partthe achievement of one’s own purposes.

is focused on basic molecular biology; the second

This class provides methodology that allows stu-

part provides information on processing mecha-dents to establish their own projects by themselves

nisms and their regulation in the nervous system.

through discussion with instructors.

There will be an emphasis on studies of molecular

It is required to complete the“Brain Informatics

mechanisms of synaptic transmission and signal

Method I (Research Survey)”course to take thistransduction. Furthermore, the relationship be-course.

tween new genetic engineering techniques. including the technique of recombining DNA, and animal
behavior are discussed.

脳情報研究法Ⅰ（研究サーベイ）
Brain Informatics Research Method I (Research Survey) 2単位

脳情報研究法Ⅲ（データ解析）
Brain Informatics Research Method III (Data Analysis) 2単位
Natural phenomena generally look stochastic unless all of the causes are controlled. There areuncontrollable internal states in the brain. There-The goal of doctorate course research is to aim

fore, a stochastic view is inevitable to understandat a truly original study by seeking novel findings,

the brain through experimental data. Methods toinnovative technique, or sophisticated theories ininfer objective conclusions from finite observations

a specific field of brain science. To achieve this,are required to understand stochastic phenomena.

students have to have broad knowledge of past andIn this class, we discuss statistical methods tocurrent researches, available and effective tech-infer an objective conclusion from specific experi-niques, and most importantly, future directions ofmental data obtained by proper experiments inthe field. In this class, students will obtain suffi-

brain science and discuss approaches to constructcient knowledge to design their own studies appro-

testable hypotheses. It is required to complete thepriately, by searching, reading, and understanding

two courses:“Brain Informatics Research Method

valuable literature in brain science.

I (Research Survey)”and“Brain Informatics Research Method II (Research Planning)”to take thiscourse.

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脳情報研究法セミナー

Brain Informatics Research Method IV (Thesis Writing) 2単位

Brain Informatics Research Method Seminar 2単位

The ultimate goal of scientific study is to write

This is a seminar for writing a doctoral thesis as

an original paper, in which the procedures and re-a compilation of all professional skills, knowledge,

sults have to be described clearly in order for theand research findings the student has gathered,audience to realize its originality and usefulness.

after mastering research surveys, research plan-

Without basic techniques of scientific writing, it isning, data analysis, and thesis writing, as literacy

hard to show the scientific validity and originality

to advance scientific research and develop newin one’s paper. In this class, the supervisor pro-technology. Students will also join in discussions

vides an individual training on how to write scien-

to enhance the progress of each other’s research,tific papers. It is required to complete the courses

and learn how to utilize what they learned from

“Brain Informatics Research Methods I”(Researchthe discussions to their own researches. Before

Survey),“II (Research Planning)”and“III (Datataking Brain Informatics Research Method Semi-Analysis)”to take this course.

nar, Students are required to have finished Brain

脳情報研究科

脳情報研究法Ⅳ（論文作成）

Informatics Research Method I, II, III, and IV.

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