How can I start learning neuroscience?

 

By: #Connor Gallimore, B.S. Psychology & Neuroscience, University of #NorthCarolina at Chapel Hill

When it comes to complex topics like this, I’m a fan of the Bottom-up approach to learning. This involves starting with the most basic, fundamental concepts of a subject and slowly integrating your new knowledge about them into the grand, wholistic view of the field.

For #neuroscience, it seems natural to me to begin with the neuron. Learn about its physical structure, and the #electrochemical properties that allow it to transmit information from cell to another. Learn about the types of cells that various types of neurons project onto, and the areas of the brain acting as the ultimate destination of a pathway’s signal. Learn about the different neurotransmitters released at each synapse, and how they contribute to the cell’s observed properties.

Most importantly, ask hard-hitting questions. Is this particular type of neuron excitatory, or inhibitory? How does this relate to the #electrophysiology? What does its morphology tell you about its function? Was it designed advantageously to serve its observed purpose? Why are there 5 different types of dopamine receptors? What is the purpose of a closed-loop system, or inhibitory gating? What kinds of pathways have been well-characterized in research, and what are the functional consequences of these pathways for the organism’s perception or behavior? For instance, why does the basal ganglia have both a direct, and indirect pathway?

There is a wide array of subfields that approach neuroscience at various levels of abstraction, from the molecular and #genetic, to the cellular, to the systems level, to the #cognitive and decision-making level, even to the level of social interaction, or the utilization of #computational and #mathematical modeling. The beauty of neuroscience is that there are so many different angles one can approach the topic and still find a plethora of unanswered questions.

The field is your playground. But beware: a truly in-depth understanding of neuroscience across these levels of analysis requires years to build. Take it from me, it’s so much fun to learn about.