Neurosciences

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. It is a multidisciplinary branch of biology that combines physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, developmental biology, cytology, mathematical modeling, and psychology to understand the fundamental and emergent properties of neurons and neural circuits.

History

The study of the nervous system dates back to ancient Egypt. Evidence of brain surgery and the recognition of mental illness can be found in archaeological records. However, the term "neuroscience" itself is relatively new, having been coined in the 1960s.

Branches of Neuroscience

Neuroscience can be divided into several branches, each focusing on specific aspects or systems within the nervous system.

• Cognitive Neuroscience studies the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and is a branch of both psychology and neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscience overlaps with cognitive psychology, and focuses on the neural substrates of mental processes.

• Behavioral Neuroscience (also known as biological psychology, physiological psychology, biopsychology, or psychobiology) is the application of the principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and non-human animals.

• Clinical Neuroscience is a branch of neuroscience that focuses on the scientific study of fundamental mechanisms that underlie diseases and disorders of the brain and central nervous system.

• Computational Neuroscience is the study of brain function in terms of the information processing properties of the structures that make up the nervous system.

Neuroscientific Techniques

Neuroscientists use a variety of techniques to gain insight into the function of the nervous system. These include electrophysiology, brain imaging, computational modeling, and behavioral testing.

See Also

• Neurology
• Psychology
• Neurobiology
• Neurophysiology