Description
The module discusses cognitive systems and processing in the central nervous system. Four main weekly topics will be discussed.
Students will become familiar with cutting edge research into Cognitive Neuroscience. Multiple animal models (rodent, zebrafish, monkey, and human) and techniques (electrophysiology, 2-photon microscopy, optogenetics, MEG and fMRI) will be discussed.
Indicative lecture titles
Week 1: Brain state (sleep, fear, addiction, arousal, etc.)
- How neocortex retrieves memory to detect novelty
- Working memory and cognitive control
- Zebrafish sleep
- Cortical states
Week 2: Learning, decision making and reward
- Planning under cognitive limitations
- The prefrontal cortex and decision-making
- Cerebellar plasticity and motor learning
- Neuronal reinforcement learning
Week 3: Spatial navigation
- Neural encoding of space
- Human spatial navigation
- Computational models of grid cell firing patterns
- The post-natal development of the neural map of space
Week 4: Motor system
- Supraspinal control of locomotion
- Action planning
- When motor cortex is active?
- Do humans have mirror neurons?
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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