Neuronal Circuits and Behavior
2013/2014
Coordinator:
João Peça (CNC, IIIUC)
Lecturers:
Shih-Chieh Lin (NIH)
Miguel Castelo-Branco (UC/IBILI)
Tiago Maia (Columbia University/ Univ. Lisboa)
Susana Lima (Champalimaud Foundation)
Luísa Pinto (ICVS, Univ. Minho)
Ana Oliveira (CNC)
Jorge Valero (CNC)
João Peça (CNC, IIIUC)
Aims
The aim of this course is to provide an integrated view into the functioning of neuronal circuits and
the methodologies used to probe how neural networks assemble and communicate with one
another. A second aim is to address questions related to how neuronal computations give rise to
behavioral outputs and perceptions. Teaching will be based on lectures that focus on particular
circuits or brain region and the underlying behavioral programs and disorders associated with their
function. The students will gain knowledge on how information in coded in the brain, how it is
propagated and will be introduced to the state of the art methodologies applied in the field of
neurophysiology and behavioral analysis. This will include discussion and exploration of practical
examples on the application of techniques such as: in vivo recordings with multi-electrode arrays,
local field potential analyses, brain imaging, optogenetics, genetic engineering or multi-photon
microscopy.
Participation in the course
The course will feature two types of certificates:
a) Certificate of Attendance (no evaluation required); or
b) Certificate of Participation (evaluated and credited with 3 ECTS)
Students enrolled in the MCMB or Neurasmus programme
Please send me your choice of evaluation method until the 7th of January (paper presentation, minigrant or Wiki article), or if you do not wish to be evaluated. The default evaluation method is
paper presentation.
Other MSc or PhD students wishing to be evaluated and credited (MIBS, Biochemistry
etc):
a) Send me an email by the 7th of January saying you wish be evaluated and select your
preferred method of evaluation (paper presentation, mini-grant or Wiki article)
b) Get your Programme coordinator in touch with me and Prof. Emilia Duarte
([email protected]) so we can be sure you are awarded the correct ECTS.
All other participants (not enrolled in a programme) should let me know if for some reason they
want to participate in the evaluation process.
Program
Introduction to Neuronal Circuits
• Neuronal circuits: How they are formed and strengthened
• Anatomy of a neuron and of a neuronal ensemble
• Basic neuroanatomy
• Classic examples of circuit function associated with specific behaviors
In vivo Electrophysiology and Neuronal Ensembles
• Organization of neurons as clusters
• Techniques for recording and analyzing neuronal signals in vivo
• Electrophysiology and behavior analysis in tandem
• Properties of neuronal circuits
Cortico-Striatal Circuits
• The anatomy and function of cortico-striatal circuits
• Neurocomputational perspectives on cortico-striatal circuits
• Disease states associated with cortico-striatal circuitry
• Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Hippocampal Circuits
• The tri-synaptic circuit
• Memory formation
• Neurogenesis and integration of newborn cells in hippocampal circuits
• Alzheimer’s disease and animal models of AD
Optogenetics
• The history of optogenetics
• Optogenetic tools: where we are, where we are going
• Practical examples: Optical deconstruction of neuronal circuits
Multi-photon microscopy and imaging neuronal circuits
• Multi-photon microscopy: principles and applications
• Neuronal function and synaptic transmission – A zoomed in view of the brain
• Activation of neuronal circuits in vivo – A mesoscopic view of the brain
Decision Making and Basal Forebrain Circuits
• The mammalian basal forebrain
• Neuromodulatory systems
• Non-cholinergic basal forebrain neurons and neuronal modulation
• Ensemble bursting and motivational salience in decision making
Stress and Depression
• The biology of stress
• Neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis in stress and animal behavior
• Depression and animal behavior
Functional imaging in the healthy and the diseased brain
• Introduction to functional imaging and probing of the human brain
• Imaging neuronal activity
• Functional imaging in disease states
Rhythms in the brain
• The local field potential
• Mechanisms of field potential oscillation and inhibitory networks
• Correlations between brain rhythms, sleep, attention and behavioral states.
Hypothalamic Circuits and Mate Selection
• Neuronal circuitry of the hypothalamus
• Sexual behaviors in mice
• Neuronal processes of mate selection
• Sexual arousal termination
Assessment
The students can choose from:
c) Presenting a journal club or paper discussion
d) Writing a mini-grant: original idea or based on a continuation of a presented work or paper
(1500-3500 words)
e) Writing a Wikipedia article on a topic covered in class (Portuguese or English Wikipedia)
Class schedule January 20-24th
Week 1
(CNC auditorium, except on the 22th)
January 20th
Monday
10:30- 11:30
Structure and objectives of the course (João Peça)
11:45 - 12:45
Introduction to Neuronal Circuits (João Peça)
January 21th
Tuesday
10:30 - 11:30
In Vivo Electrophysiology and Neuronal Ensembles I (Shih-Chieh Lin)
11:45 - 12:45
In Vivo Electrophysiology and Neuronal Ensembles II (Shih-Chieh Lin)
January 22th
Wednesday
14:30 - 15:30
Cortico-striatal circuits: structure and function (Tiago Maia) (BEB room – subject
to change)
15:45 - 16:45
Cortico-striatal circuits in Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive
disorder (Tiago Maia) (BEB room – subject to change)
January 23rd
Thursday
10:30 - 11:30
Hippocampal memory circuits (Jorge Valero)
11:45 - 12:45
Disrupted hippocampal adult neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (Jorge
Valero)
14:30 - 15:30
Optogenetics: Toolbox and approaches (João Peça)
January 24th
Friday
10:30 - 11:30
Multi-photon microscopy (Ana Oliveira)
11:45 - 12:45
Imaging neuronal circuits (Ana Oliveira)
14:30 - 15:30
Genetic engineering in the deconstruction of neuronal circuits (João Peça)
Class schedule January 27-31st
Week 2 (CNC auditorium)
January 27th
10:30 - 11:30
Monday
Functional imaging (Miguel Castelo-Branco)
11:45 - 12:45
Imaging circuits in disease states (Miguel Castelo-Branco)
January 28th
Tuesday
10:30 - 11:30
Stress and Neuronal Plasticity (Luisa Pinto)
11:45 - 12:45
Depression (Luisa Pinto)
14:30 - 15:30
Journal Club
January 29th
Wednesday
10:30 - 11:30
Decision making (Shih-Chieh Lin)
11:45 - 12:45
Basal forebrain circuits (Shih-Chieh Lin)
14:30 - 15:30
Seminar by Shih-Chieh Lin (National Institute of Health, Bethesda, USA)
January 30th
Thursday
10:30 - 11:30
Rhythms in the Brain (João Peça)
14:30 - 15:30
Hypothalamic Circuits (Susana Lima)
15:45 - 16:45
Mate Selection (Susana Lima)
January 31th
Friday
10:30 - 11:30
Journal Club
11:45 - 12:45
Journal Club
14:30 - 16:30
Q&A for grant proposal and Wikipedia article