2007 Handbooks

This unit is designed to give the student a basic knowledge of central neuronal mechanisms underlying fundamental behaviours and how these behaviours are modified through experience (learning). The first half of the program describes the cytoarchitecture of central and peripheral neurons, the physiological and ionic bases of axonal and synaptic transmission, the overall anatomical organisation of the mammalian brain, and sensory processing. These topics are followed by discussion of the central mechanisms underlying mammalian behaviours, such as psychopathology, reward, anxiety, learning and memory. The latter half of the program will provide a basic understanding of diverse phenomena in learning and behaviour, including neuronal mechanisms of associative and non-associative learning, spatial learning, and comparative cognition in a variety of animal species.