Neurobiological Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders

Undergraduate / Graduate

Within popular culture, a few neurotransmitters have become infamous for their influence in a wide range of behaviors, including in emotion, attention, addiction, movement, and memory. These neuromodulators, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, are all derived from amino acids and belong to a group of neurotransmitters called monoamines. Disruption of monoamine signaling is implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. In this class we will investigate monoamines from the molecular level, studying the mechanisms underlying how they are synthesized and influence neuron function, to the systems level, examining their role in shaping neuronal population activity and behavior. We will engage with primary literature and case studies to expand our understanding of how these molecules influence brain function. By the end of this course, you will have fundamental knowledge of how monoamines influence neural activity and behavior, experience engaging with findings central to our understanding of monoamine function, and opportunities to apply this understanding to answer scientific and health related questions.