The course begins by examining the landscape of the nervous system. The gross anatomy of the brain and spinal cord are reviewed by examining a series of case studies involving lesions or diseases of the brain.
Emphasis is placed on how the location of a lesion or disease process can affect behavior.
Gross human brains, microscopic slides and electron micrographs are analyzed. Next, the basic physiology of the nervous system is examined from individual neurons to neural networks. Neurochemical assays and immunocytochemical staining for the location of specific neurotransmitters in the brain occupies a large proportion of the laboratory. The laboratory also includes a student-designed study using tissue or cell cultures of the brain. The latter part of the course is devoted to topics chosen by students.