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Synapses, Neurons and Brains
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 20 hours
  • Course by Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Offered by

About

These are very unique times for brain research. The aperitif for the course will thus highlight the present “brain-excitements” worldwide. You will then become intimately acquainted with the operational principles of neuronal “life-ware” (synapses, neurons and the networks that they form) and consequently, on how neurons behave as computational microchips and how they plastically and constantly change - a process that underlies learning and memory. Recent heroic attempts to realistically simulate large cortical networks in the computer will be highlighted (e.g., “the Blue Brain Project”) and processes related to perception, cognition and emotions in the brain will be discussed. For dessert we will deliberate on the future of brain research, including the questions of “brain and art”, consciousness and free will. For more information see the course promo below and read “About the course.”

Modules

Lesson 0 - Course Promo and Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 4 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction: What's This Course About?

4 Readings

  • About the Course
  • Course Staff
  • Course Information
  • How to Use Discussion Forums

Lesson 1

    • 7 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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7 Videos

  • Welcome Words and Great Thinkers
  • The Blossoming of the Brain in the World
  • The Connectomics
  • Brainbow
  • Brain Machine Interface BMI
  • Optogenetics
  • Simulation of the Brain - Blue Brain Project

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Lesson 2

    • 8 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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8 Videos

  • The Neuron
  • The Neuron Doctrine
  • The Neuron as I/O Device Part I
  • The Axon
  • The Dendrite
  • Neuron Type
  • The Synapse
  • The Neuron as I/O Device Part II

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Brain Excitements for the 21st Century and The Materialistic Mind

Background on electricity

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Sources for Lesson 3

Lesson 3

    • 11 Videos
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11 Videos

  • The Cell as a RC Circuit
  • The Voltage Equation for the Passive Cell
  • The Membrane Time Constant
  • Temporal Summation
  • The Resting Potential
  • The Synaptic Potential Part 1
  • The Synaptic Conductance
  • The Synaptic Battery
  • The Synaptic Potential Part 2
  • The Voltage Equation for the Synapse and EPSP and IPSP
  • Summary

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Electrifying Brains –Passive Electrical Signals

Lesson 4

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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5 Videos

  • The Hodgkin Huxley Experiments
  • The All or None Spike and the Voltage Clamp
  • Membrane Currents Underlying the Spike
  • Modeling the Membrane Currents
  • The H&H Spike Model

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Electrifying Brains – Active Electrical Spikes

Lesson 5

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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5 Videos

  • The Brain Learns
  • Mechanisms Sub-Serving Learning and Memory
  • Functional Plasticity
  • Structural Plasticity
  • Neurogenesis and Learning

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Neurons as Plastic/Dynamic Devices

Lesson 6

    • 6 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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6 Videos

  • The Brain Computes
  • Computation at the Level of Single Neuron
  • Fundamentals of Dendritic Cable Theory
  • Rall Cable Theory for Dendrites
  • Dendritic Computation
  • Recent Breakthroughs

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Cable Theory and Dendritic Computations

Lesson 7

    • 7 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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7 Videos

  • Mega Projects for the Brain
  • The Blue Brain Project - The Start
  • The Cortical Column
  • A Cortical Column Networks
  • Blue Brain Simulations
  • From Mouse to Human
  • The Human Brain Project

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Cortical Networks - Out of the Blue Project

Lesson 8

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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5 Videos

  • Sensory Transduction
  • Early Processing of Sensory Information
  • How Sensory Information Guides Motion
  • Higher Order Processes of Sensory Information
  • Emotions

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Lesson 9

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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4 Videos

  • What Did We Learn?
  • Reading Thoughts Part 1
  • Reading Thoughts Part 2
  • Free Will?

1 Readings

  • Lecture Slides

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • From Synapses to Free Will?

Farewell and Exam

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Final Exam

1 Videos

  • Farewell Words

Auto Summary

Discover the exciting world of brain research with "Synapses, Neurons, and Brains," a foundational course in Science & Engineering. Guided by expert instructors, delve into neuronal principles, brain plasticity, and computational behaviors. Explore groundbreaking projects like the Blue Brain Project and engage in discussions on perception, cognition, and future research. Ideal for beginners, this 1200-minute course offers flexible subscription options, including Starter and Professional plans, making it accessible to all eager learners. Join now to unlock the mysteries of the brain!

Idan Segev
Instructor

Idan Segev