Neurobiology of behavior

Behaviors, whether determined by conscious or unconscious processes, are based on complex neurobiological underpinnings: they are underpinned by molecular and cellular modifications within the nervous system, modulating neural networks at the origin of motor and emotional processes that are linked to the individual's memory. These processes are fundamental in enabling the organism to develop an integrated behavioral response in close interaction with its environment, ensuring adaptation and survival for the individual and its species.

The topics covered in the Neurobiology of Behavior course are 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 genetics and epigenetics-Plasticity/memory relationship-Neurobiology of memory, forgetting and reconsolidation

-Neurobiology of emotions

Neurobiological substrates of emotions -Emotional functions -Disadaptation: Pathological aspects: Emotional disorders

The EU's objective is to:

-enable students to acquire current knowledge of the molecular, cellular and integrative mechanisms at play in the nervous system that are responsible for certain behaviors.

-demonstrate that an analysis at different levels (gene, neuron, neural network, behavior) is necessary to understand how the brain functions in the development of behavior. The study of behavioral disorders will also highlight the importance of gene and environmental factors in altering the activation of neural processes that lead to behavioral maladaptation.

-develop a scientific argument with a critical approach to experimental results (presentation and analysis of articles and personal work in the form of scientific presentations on the themes covered in the course).

Bachelor's degree with neuroscience courses: basic knowledge of neurobiology/neurophysiology, sensoriality 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.

*Various models for studying behavior in animals and tests for assessing executive functions, conditioning and attentional processes.

*Complex behaviors are regulated by peptidergic systems, such as dopamine and oxytocin in social behavior.

*High Sensation Seekers (HSS): an example of altered neurotransmission systems and their impact on behavior.

*Behaviors are the concomitant 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 to regulate gene expression. Physiological approaches

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

*Notion of transmission to offspring of new enduring character traits conferring adaptation but also vulnerability (Meanney MJ experience).

Attentional processes/Movement planning

*Description of attentional processes

*Top-down and bottom-up studies*Theories on attentional processes

*Neurobiological support for attentional processes

*Description of superior movement controls and their interaction with attentional processes

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

Memory and synaptic plasticity(7CM)

Methodological approaches to the study of 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.

Synaptic plasticity in the rodent hippocampus :

*Central role of the hippocampus in declarative memory in humans

*Cellular and molecular mechanisms of plasticity consolidation

*Link between synaptic plasticity and memory

*Behavioral tests

*Genomic and epigenetic regulation of plasticity

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

Other animal models :

*Memory in insects: the bee model and olfactory conditioning

*Synaptic elasticity and memory in aplysia

Memory reconsolidation mechanisms :

*Molecular identification and mechanisms

*Human therapy

Neurobiology of Emotions (7 CM)

Introduction:

*Defining emotions: emotional experience/expression

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

*Introduction to the main theories of emotion

Neurobiological substrates of emotions:

*Integrate knowledge into a historical context

*The different experimental approaches used to study the anatomical supports of emotions: lesions/stimulations/intracerebral recordings/observation of clinical cases/imaging (interests 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)...

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

Emotional functions:

*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 the stress response (age, peri-natal influences, social status, cognitive evaluation...): reflections based on experimental data: notion of inter-individual variability and vulnerability.

Disadaptation: 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 neurotransmissions)*Paradoxes illustrating the complex relationships between mental states and brain states/the double bind.