Neural Mechanisms of Health and Disease - BME51000
Major topics include: 1) Single neuron physiology and plasticity 2) Information processing by sensory and motor circuits 3) Modern techniques and devices in neuroscience 4) Neuropathologies, such as epilepsy, aging, and others.
Learning Objective:
- Describe the organization of the mammalian nervous system and to some degree how it compares to non-mammalian nervous systems.
- Apply neural information processing principles to determine how external and internal variables drive neural activity and behavior.
- Design experiments by selecting appropriate techniques and measurements in order to address an experimental question or hypothesis.
- Analyze and interpret neural data, mainly neurophysiological data, to answer questions about neural coding and with respect to an experimental hypothesis.
- Develop preliminary therapeutic solutions to neural disorders based on understanding neural mechanisms and devices used to measure or treat these disorders.
Topics Covered: Introduction: Levels of organization; Review of basic neuronal elements and signaling; Single neuron plasticity and computation; Organization of nervous system; Analysis of neuroanatomy data; Sensory transduction: Physical and chemical senses; Feature extraction of sensory information; Higher order sensory processing; From sensory coding to perception; Motor coding; Sensorimotor integration; Sensorimotor integration; Higher cognition; When brains attack: Neural disorders and neurodegeneration.
Prerequisites: A course in neuroscience or neuroengineering or graduate standing.
Applied / Theory:
Web Address: https://mycourses.purdue.edu
Web Content: Lecture slides, syllabus, problem set answers, lecture recording and useful resources.
Homework: 20% of the grade is based on assignments/participation. ebartle@purdue.edu
Projects: There is a research grant proposal, report and final presentation as well as a project on neural coding. Further details will be provided during the semester.
Exams: 1 midterm exam, 1 take-home midterm, and 1 take-home final.
Textbooks: Official textbook info now listed in the Schedule of Classes. NOTE: Textbook information is subject to be changed at any time at the discretion of the faculty member. If you have questions or concerns please contact the academic department.
Required: From Neuron to Brain, 5th Ed., Nicholls ISBN:9780878936090, Fundamental Neuroscience 4th Ed., Squire ISBN:B00AC1EGXE, MATLAB for Neuroscientists: An Introduction to Scientific Computing in MATLAB 1st ed., Wallisch ISBN: 9780123745514, Principles of Neural Science, 5th Ed., Eric Kandel, ISBN:B009LHFYNG, Spikes: Exploring the Neural Code (Computational Neuroscience), Rieke ISBN:9780262681087
Computer Requirements: Download of free NEURON and ImageJ/Fiji software.