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perspectives on neuroscience

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Perspectives on Neuroscience

Nanyang Technological University

Research

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Biology

4.9K Views.  Max Planck Institute (MPI). Perspectives on Neuroscience

Video: Perspectives on Neuroscience

An Unbiased Approach of Sampling TEM Sections in Neuroscience

Investigations of the ultrastructural features of neurons and their synapses are only possible with electron microscopy. Especially for comparative studies of the changes in densities and distributions of such features, an unbiased sampling protocol is vital for reliable results. Here, we present a workflow for the image acquisition of brain samples. The workflow allows systematic uniform random sampling within a defined brain region, and the images can be analyzed using a disector. This technique is much faster than extensive examination of serial sections but still presents a feasible approach to estimate the densities and distributions of ultrastructure features. Before embedding, stained vibratome sections were used as a reference to identify the brain region under investigation, which helped speed up the overall specimen preparation process. This approach was used for comparative studies investigating the effect of an enriched-housing environment on several ultrastructural parameters in the mouse brain. Based on the successful use of the workflow, we adapted it for the purpose of elemental analysis of brain samples. We optimized the protocol in terms of the time of user-interaction. Automating all the time-consuming steps by compiling a script for the open source software SerialEM helps the user to focus on the main work of acquiring the elemental maps. As in the original workflow, we paid attention to the unbiased sampling approach to guarantee reliable results.

We introduce a novel workflow for electron microscopy investigations of brain tissue. The method allows the user to examine neuronal features in an unbiased fashion. For elemental analysis, we also present a script that automatizes most of the workflow for randomized sampling.

Investigations of the ultrastructural features of neurons and their synapses are only possible with electron microscopy. Especially for comparative ...

Neuroscience

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains

Combining viral vector transduction and tissue clearing using the CLARITY method makes it possible to simultaneously investigate several types of brain cells and their interactions. Viral vector transduction enables the marking of diverse cell types in different fluorescence colors within the same tissue. Cells can be identified genetically by activity or projection. Using a modified CLARITY protocol, the potential sample size of astrocytes and neurons has grown by 2-3 orders of magnitude. The use of CLARITY allows the imaging of complete astrocytes, which are too large to fit in their entirety in slices, and the examination of the somata with all their processes. In addition, it provides the opportunity to investigate the spatial interaction between astrocytes and different neuronal cell types, namely, the number of pyramidal neurons in each astrocytic domain or the proximity between astrocytes and specific inhibitory neuron populations. This paper describes, in detail, how these methods are to be applied.

Combining viral vector transduction and brain clearing using the CLARITY method allows the investigation of a large number of neurons and astrocytes simultaneously.

Combining viral vector transduction and tissue clearing using the CLARITY method makes it possible to simultaneously investigate several types of brain ...

A Setup for Human Vision, Cognition, and Interaction in Real-Life Scenarios

A Naturalistic Setup for Presenting Real People and Live Actions in Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Studies

Perception of others&#39; actions is crucial for survival, interaction, and communication. Despite decades of cognitive neuroscience research dedicated to understanding the perception of actions, we are still far away from developing a neurally inspired computer vision system that approaches human action perception. A major challenge is that actions in the real world consist of temporally unfolding events in space that happen &#34;here and now&#34; and are actable. In contrast, visual perception and cognitive neuroscience research to date have largely studied action perception through 2D displays (e.g., images or videos) that lack the presence of actors in space and time, hence these displays are limited in affording actability. Despite the growing body of knowledge in the field, these challenges must be overcome for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the perception of others&#39; actions in the real world. The aim of this study is to introduce a novel setup to conduct naturalistic laboratory experiments with live actors in scenarios that approximate real-world settings. The core element of the setup used in this study is a transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen through which participants can watch the live actions of a physically present actor while the timing of their presentation is precisely controlled. In this work, this setup was tested in a behavioral experiment. We believe that the setup will help researchers reveal fundamental and previously inaccessible cognitive and neural mechanisms of action perception and will be a foundation for future studies investigating social perception and cognition in naturalistic settings.

Author Spotlight: A Novel Setup to Conduct Naturalistic Laboratory Experiments with Real Human Actors in Scenarios 

This study presents a naturalistic experimental setup that allows researchers to present real-time action stimuli, obtain response time and mouse tracking data while participants respond after each stimulus display, and change actors between experimental conditions with a unique system including a special transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen and light manipulation.

Perception of others&#39; actions is crucial for survival, interaction, and communication. Despite decades of cognitive neuroscience research dedicated to ...

An Introduction to Neurophysiology

Neurophysiology is broadly defined as the study of nervous system function. In this field, scientists investigate the central and peripheral nervous systems at the level of whole organs, cellular networks, single cells, or even subcellular compartments. A unifying feature of this wide-ranging discipline is an interest in the mechanisms that lead to the generation and propagation of electrical impulses within and between neurons. This subject is important not only for our understanding of the fascinating processes driving human thought, but also for our ability to diagnose and treat disorders related to nervous system malfunction. This video will provide an introduction to the field of neurophysiology, beginning with a brief history of neurophysiological research that showcases landmark studies like Galvani&#8217;s observations of twitching frog legs and Eccles&#8217;s discovery of the chemical synapse. Next, key questions asked by neurophysiologists are introduced, followed by an overview of some prominent experimental tools used to answer those questions. The methods presented range from techniques used to investigate single cells, like patch clamping, to those that can measure activity across large regions of the brain, like electroencephalography (EEG). Finally, applications of neurophysiological research are discussed, including the development of brain-machine interfaces that allow for device control using thought.

Introduction to Neurophysiology: Methods &amp; Applications

 Neurophysiology is broadly defined as the study of nervous system function. In this field, scientists investigate the central and peripheral nervous ...

Education

JoVE Science Education

Advanced Biology

Perspectives on Neuropsychology

Source: Laboratories of Jonas T. Kaplan and Sarah I. Gimbel&#8212; University of Southern California
Neuropsychology is a complex field, as it investigates how mental processes are executed in the brain&#8212;events that integrate concepts from biochemistry, biology, psychology, and neuroscience. Although the multidisciplinary nature of neuropsychology prepares young learners for a variety of careers, it also poses a challenge in that it forces students to study concepts outside of their comfort zone. For example, a psychology major may have difficulty grasping neuroanatomy&#8212;a challenging topic in itself&#8212;given that the brain is a complicated, three-dimensional organ that is typically represented two-dimensionally in textbooks.
This JoVE collection in Neuropsychology introduces major concepts and methods in the field, and showcases how advances in imaging technology have allowed us to look inside the brain and visualize its structure and function. Importantly, these videos are also meant to reassure students that you don&#8217;t need to be an expert in all aspects of neuropsychology to understand how the brain shapes our experiences, behaviors, and social interactions in everyday life. For instance, the video "Decision-making and the Iowa Gambling Task" explores how damage to a specific region of the brain can affect an individual&#8217;s proclivity for risky decisions, like stealing.
These JoVE videos in Neuropsychology provide the perfect introduction to this complex topic, and also explore some of the potential, exciting future directions in this field. With further advances in technology, one day researchers might even be able to visualize dynamic changes in a person&#8217;s brain outside of a laboratory setting&#8212;for example, when they are sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture on neuropsychology.

Source: Laboratories of Jonas T. Kaplan and Sarah I. Gimbel&#8212; University of Southern California
Neuropsychology is a complex field, as it ...

Psychology

Neuropsychology

Perspectives on Experimental Psychology

Source: Laboratories of <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/author/Gary_Lewandowski">Gary Lewandowski</a>, Dave Strohmetz, and Natalie Ciarocco&#8212;Monmouth University

As the Department Chair of Psychology at Monmouth University, I teach primarily upper level undergraduate students who are interested in Experimental Methods. These classes don&#8217;t have the same inherent appeal to students. This JoVE Psychology collection will help students vicariously watch the experiments being performed from start to finish, allowing them to gain exposure to over a dozen topics that they may not experience otherwise. Importantly, the videos provide a context for seeing the experiments embedded in their natural states&#8212;in the actual research process.
A few projects in this Science Education collection stand out. First, I consider the Ethics in Psychological Research video to be very useful in teaching, as it demonstrates how sensitive topics, such as interpersonal violence, can be studied in creative ways. Furthermore, students learn better with topics that they care about and can conceptualize in their personal lives. For example, Observational Research delves into the factors that go into homesickness, going beyond questionnaires and examining the relationship to what individuals actually leave around in their rooms. This design allows the researcher to curiously discover conclusions that students may not be fully aware of themselves.
Being an instructor and textbook author of research methods, I am keenly aware of the relative lack of quality resources that are available to teach Experimental Psychology well. These JoVE videos will help bring the material to life for instructors and particularly for students who do not necessarily get the opportunity to complete their own research projects.&#160;

Source: Laboratories of Gary Lewandowski, Dave Strohmetz, and Natalie Ciarocco&#8212;Monmouth University

As the Department Chair of Psychology at ...

Experimental Psychology

Perspectives on Cognitive Psychology

Source: Laboratory of Jonathan Flombaum&#8212;Johns Hopkins University

As an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Johns Hopkins University, I teach Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. This large class primarily consists of freshman and sophomores majoring in related fields, like Psychology, Neuroscience, or Cognitive Science. One of the challenges I face in the classroom is teaching students to appreciate how data are obtained in the process of performing experiments. Students have difficulty in appreciating the chronology of experiments as they unfold in time.
This JoVE collection in Cognitive Psychology makes the experimental timeline absolutely clear and encourages students to understand the trajectory and not just jump to conclusions. The videos also present experiments as paradigms&#8212;to illustrate how researchers can implement tasks in different ways&#8212;depending on the questions at hand. Most of these questions translate to the real world and the limits of our cognition. For example, the video Measuring Verbal Working Memory Span demonstrates our limited memory capacity, which explains the difficulty in remembering long shopping lists.
These JoVE videos in Cognitive Psychology provide a perfect place for instructors to start if they are interested in demonstrating tasks in class. Better yet, the videos can be used to get students involved&#8212;to execute the procedures and to even be the participants. Thus, the collection perfectly introduces lab components to a Psychology class.

Source: Laboratory of Jonathan Flombaum&#8212;Johns Hopkins University

As an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Johns Hopkins ...

Cognitive Psychology

An Introduction to Neuroanatomy

Neuroanatomy is the study of nervous system structures and how they relate to function. One focus of neuroanatomists is the macroscopic structures within the central and peripheral nervous systems, like the cortical folds on the surface of the brain. However, scientists in this field are also interested in the microscopic relationships between neurons and glia - the two major cell types of the nervous system. This video provides a brief overview of the history of neuroanatomical research, which dates back to the 4th century BC, when philosophers first proposed that the soul resides in the brain rather than the heart. Key questions asked by neuroanatomists are also reviewed, including topics like the role cytoarchitecture, or the arrangement of neurons and glia, plays in brain function; and how neuroanatomy changes as a result of experience or disease. Next, some of the tools available to answer these questions, such as histology and magnetic resonance imaging, are described. Finally, the video provides several applications of neuroanatomical research, demonstrating how the field lives on in today&#8217;s neuroscience labs.

Neuroanatomy and Cytoarchitecture

Neuroanatomy is the study of nervous system structures and how they relate to function. One focus of neuroanatomists is the macroscopic structures within ...

An Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral neuroscience is the study of how the nervous system guides behavior, and how the various functional areas and networks within the brain correlate to specific behaviors and disease states. Researchers in this field utilize a wide variety of experimental methods ranging from complex animal training techniques to sophisticated imaging experiments in human subjects. This video first offers a historical overview of some of the major milestones that lead to our current understanding of the brain&#8217;s control over behavior. Then, some of the fundamental questions asked by behavioral neuroscientists are presented, which all involve the study of neural correlates, or specific brain regions whose activation is responsible for a given function. Next, prominent methods used to answer those questions are reviewed for both human and animal subjects, such as operant conditioning and functional neuroimaging. Finally, experimental applications of these techniques are presented, including animal training using a Skinner box, and the use of electroencephalography to investigate human neurological disease.

Behavioral Neuroscience; Learning and Cognitive Processes

Behavioral neuroscience is the study of how the nervous system guides behavior, and how the various functional areas and networks within the brain ...

An Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Cellular and molecular neuroscience is one of the newest and fastest growing subdisciplines in neuroscience. By investigating the influences of genes, signaling molecules, and cellular morphology, researchers in this field uncover crucial insights into normal brain development and function, as well as the root causes of many pathological conditions.
This video introduction to the fascinating world of cellular and molecular neuroscience begins with a timeline of landmark studies, from the discovery of DNA in 1953 to more recent breakthroughs like the cloning of ion channels. Next, key questions in the field are introduced, such as how genes influence neuron activity and how the nervous system is modified by experience. This is followed by brief descriptions of some prominent methods used to analyze genetic material in neurons, manipulate expression of genes, and visualize neurons and their parts. Finally, several applications of molecular and cellular neuroscience are presented to demonstrate how cellular and molecular approaches can be used to profile neuron populations and explore their functions.

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Research

Cellular and molecular neuroscience is one of the newest and fastest growing subdisciplines in neuroscience. By investigating the influences of genes, ...