Neurobiology of behavior

Behaviors, whether determined by conscious or unconscious processes, are based on complex neurobiological substrates. They are underpinned by molecular and cellular changes within the nervous system that modulate the neural networks responsible for motor and emotional processes linked to an individual's memory. These processes are fundamental in enabling the organism to develop an integrated behavioral response in close interaction with its environment, thereby ensuring the adaptation and survival of the individual and their species.

The topics covered in the Behavioral Neurobiology course will be as follows:

-Gene–behavior

The relationship between genotype and phenotype -Impact of the environment –Attentional processes/Movement planning -Behavioral disorders (genetic and environmental aspects)

-Memory and synaptic plasticity

Methodological approaches to studying synaptic plasticity: electrophysiology, optogenetics, animal models, behavioral tests—Factors regulating synaptic plasticity, including genetic and epigenetic factors—The relationship between plasticity and memory—The neurobiology of memory, forgetting, and reconsolidation

-Neurobiology of emotions

Neurobiological substrates of emotions - Functions of emotions - Maladjustment: Pathological aspects: Emotional disorders

The EU's objective is to:

-enable students to acquire up-to-date knowledge of the molecular, cellular, and integrative mechanisms involved in the nervous system that give rise to certain behaviors.

-show that analysis at different levels (gene, neuron, neural network, behavior) is necessary in order to understand how the brain functions in the development of behaviors. The study of behavioral disorders will also highlight the importance of genetic and environmental factors in changes in the activation of neural processes that cause behavioral maladjustment.

-develop scientific arguments with a critical approach to experimental results (presentation and analysis of articles and completion of personal work in the form of scientific presentations addressing the topics covered in the course).

Obtaining a degree with neuroscience course units: basic knowledge of neurobiology/neurophysiology, sensory perception, and motor skills

Recommended prerequisites: Knowledge of major physiological and neurobiological functions.

75% written and 25% oral

Gene and behavior (10CM)

Genotype-phenotype relationship

*Definition of genotype and phenotype

*The role of genes in behavior can be studied in animal models.

*The various models for studying animal behavior and tests for assessing executive functions, conditioning, and attentional processes

*Complex behaviors are regulated by peptidergic systems, with dopamine and oxytocin being examples in social behaviors.

*The example of neurotransmission system alteration and its consequences on behavior in High Sensation Seekers (HSS)

*Behaviors are the simultaneous activation of neural networks with opposing effects: the theory of opposing processes (from neuropsychology to molecular and cellular neurobiology).

Gene-environment relationship:

*Epigenetic mechanisms at the neuronal level that regulate gene expression. Physiological approaches

*Influence of sensory experiences on behavioral expression, using the example of pain and pharmacological substances

*The concept of passing on new, lasting traits to offspring that confer adaptation but also vulnerability (Meanney MJ experiment)

Attention processes/Movement planning

*Description of attentional processes

*Top-down and Bottom-up Study*Theories on attentional processes

*The neurobiological basis of attentional processes

*Description of higher-level movement controls and their interaction with attentional processes

*Behavioral disorders (genetic and environmental aspects) with the example of attention disorders (ADHD).

Memory and synaptic plasticity (7CM)

Methodological approaches for studying synaptic transmission and plasticity:

*Electrophysiological and optogenetic approaches

*In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models.

*Spontaneous and evoked synaptic transmission.

*Structure and function of glutamate and GABA receptors.

*Triggering of synaptic plasticity phenomena.

Synaptic plasticity in the rodent hippocampus:

*Central role of the hippocampus in declarative memory in humans

*Cellular and molecular mechanisms of plasticity consolidation

*Relationship between synaptic plasticity and memory

*Behavioral tests

*Regulation of plasticity through genomic and epigenetic actions

*Models of genetic diseases associated with mental retardation (Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome)

Other animal models:

*Memory in insects: the bee model and olfactory conditioning

*Synaptic plasticity and memory in aplysia

Memory reconsolidation mechanisms:

*Evidence and molecular mechanisms

*Human therapy

Neurobiology of Emotions (7 CM)

Introduction:

*Defining emotions: emotional experience/emotional expression

*Take into account the difficulties posed by the scientific study of emotions: subjectivity; link between experience and expression; specificity.

*Presentation of the main theories of emotions

Neurobiological substrates of emotions:

*Integrating knowledge into a historical context

*The various experimental approaches used to study the anatomical basis of emotions: lesions/stimulation/intracerebral recordings/clinical case observation/imaging (advantages and limitations)

*The main structures and circuits involved: hypothalamus, Papez circuit structures, limbic system structures, amygdala nuclei, thalamus, septum, striatum, reward circuit structures, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, somatic markers (Damasio), etc.

*Emotions originate from the network rather than from the activation of localized brain structures (niF data + machine learning)

Functions of emotions:

*Emotions and communication (empathy/mirror neurons)*Emotions and motivation (reward circuit structures)

*Emotions and cognition

-Emotions and memory: e.g., influence of emotions on episodic memory/learned fear (Joseph Ledoux)

-Emotions and decision-making (Antonio Damasio)

*Emotions and adaptation:

-General adaptation syndrome-Homeostasis/allostasis/pathology

-Complexity of the stress response/psychobiological personality

-Examples of environmental factors influencing stress response (age, perinatal influences, social status, cognitive assessment, etc.): reflections based on experimental data: concept of interindividual variability and vulnerability

Maladjustment: Pathological aspects: Emotional disorders: examples of anxiety and phobic disorders (PTSD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, AG):

*Definition/symptoms/neuropathological processes

*Pharmacology of anxiety disorders (examples of pharmacotherapies targeting GABAergic and 5HT neurotransmission)*Paradoxes illustrating the complexity of the relationship between mental states and brain states/the double bind.