Neuroscience Course

Lesson 1 • Nervous System Organisation Overview

Maps the central and peripheral nervous system divisions and their functional roles. Provides the anatomical scaffold for all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 2 • Cells of the Nervous System

Identifies neuron types and glial cells and explains their structural specialisations. Links cell morphology to functional roles in signalling and support.

Lesson 3 • Basic Neuroanatomy Terminology

Introduces directional terms, planes of section, and standard brain atlases. Enables accurate spatial description used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Graded Potentials and Integration

Distinguishes graded potentials from action potentials and explains spatial and temporal summation. Shows how dendrites integrate inputs before axon hillock decision.

Lesson 2 • Action Potential Propagation

Compares continuous and saltatory conduction along unmyelinated and myelinated axons. Explains how myelin increases conduction velocity.

Lesson 3 • Resting Membrane Potential

Explains ion distribution and membrane permeability that establish the resting state. Grounds understanding of all active electrical events that follow.

Lesson 1 • Synaptic Modulation and Plasticity

Covers short-term facilitation, depression, and long-term potentiation and depression. Connects synaptic weight changes to learning and memory mechanisms.

Lesson 2 • Synaptic Structure and Vesicle Release

Details presynaptic terminal anatomy, vesicle docking, and calcium-triggered exocytosis. Establishes the physical basis for chemical neurotransmission.

Lesson 3 • Major Neurotransmitter Systems

Surveys glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine systems. Maps each transmitter to its primary circuits and behavioural functions.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Synapses and Gap Junctions

Explains connexin-based gap junctions and their role in synchronising neural activity. Contrasts speed and bidirectionality with chemical synapses.

Lesson 1 • Visual System Pathways

Traces light from photoreceptors through retinal circuits to primary visual cortex. Explains parallel dorsal and ventral processing streams.

Lesson 2 • Somatosensory and Pain Pathways

Maps touch, proprioception, and pain from peripheral receptors through spinal cord to cortex. Introduces gate control and descending modulation of pain.

Lesson 3 • Chemical Senses: Olfaction and Taste

Explains olfactory receptor neuron diversity and taste receptor cell types. Highlights direct limbic connections of olfaction and cortical taste maps.

Lesson 4 • Auditory and Vestibular Systems

Describes cochlear mechanics, hair cell transduction, and tonotopic organisation. Connects vestibular hair cells to balance and spatial orientation.

Lesson 1 • Motor Planning and Premotor Areas

Covers supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, and their roles in movement preparation. Links neural activity to intention and sequence learning.

Lesson 2 • Primary Motor Cortex and Corticospinal Tract

Describes somatotopic organisation of motor cortex and descending corticospinal projections. Links cortical maps to fine voluntary movement control.

Lesson 3 • Spinal Cord Motor Circuits

Covers motor neuron pools, interneuron circuits, and spinal reflexes. Establishes the lowest level of the motor hierarchy.

Lesson 4 • Cerebellar Function and Coordination

Details cerebellar cortex circuitry, error correction, and timing of movements. Explains how the cerebellum refines motor output through feedback loops.

Lesson 1 • Cellular Mechanisms of LTP and LTD

Details NMDA receptor coincidence detection, AMPA receptor trafficking, and structural changes. Provides the molecular basis for Hebbian synaptic learning rules.

Lesson 2 • Developmental and Adult Neuroplasticity

Examines critical periods, experience-dependent cortical map changes, and adult neurogenesis. Connects plasticity principles to rehabilitation and skill acquisition.

Lesson 3 • Memory Systems Classification

Distinguishes declarative from non-declarative memory and maps each to supporting brain structures. Provides the taxonomic framework for all subsequent memory topics.

Lesson 4 • Non-Declarative Memory Systems

Covers cerebellar-dependent motor learning, amygdala-dependent fear conditioning, and striatal habit formation. Links each system to distinct neural substrates.

Lesson 1 • Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

Explains releasing hormones, anterior pituitary tropic hormones, and negative feedback loops. Connects neuroendocrine signalling to peripheral organ regulation.

Lesson 2 • Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Neuroscience

Explains suprachiasmatic nucleus clock mechanisms, sleep stages, and memory consolidation during sleep. Connects circadian disruption to health and cognitive outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Stress Response and HPA Axis

Details cortisol release, glucocorticoid receptor signalling, and chronic stress effects on the brain. Links stress neurobiology to cognitive and immune consequences.

Lesson 4 • Autonomic Nervous System Function

Contrasts sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions in structure and target organ effects. Explains enteric nervous system as a semi-independent gut brain.

Lesson 1 • Reward, Motivation, and Decision-Making

Details mesolimbic dopamine signalling, reward prediction error, and orbitofrontal valuation. Explains how reward circuits drive motivated behaviour and choice.

Lesson 2 • Language and Lateralisation

Maps Broca's and Wernicke's areas, arcuate fasciculus, and hemispheric specialisation. Connects lesion syndromes to specific language production and comprehension deficits.

Lesson 3 • Emotion and the Limbic System

Explains amygdala threat detection, prefrontal emotion regulation, and limbic circuit connectivity. Connects emotional processing to decision-making and social behaviour.

Lesson 4 • Attention and Executive Function

Covers prefrontal cortex roles in working memory, cognitive control, and top-down attention. Links frontoparietal networks to selective and sustained attention.