Neuroscience

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 this can be found in the Edwin Smith Papyrus, a medical text from the 17th century BC that contains chapters on the treatment of head injuries. The ancient Greeks also contributed to neuroscience with the work of Hippocrates, who proposed that the brain was the seat of intelligence.

Branches

Neuroscience can be divided into several branches that focus on different aspects of the nervous system. These include:

• Neuroanatomy: The study of the structure of the nervous system.
• Neurophysiology: The study of the function of the nervous system.
• Neurochemistry: The study of the chemical composition and processes of the nervous system.
• Neuropharmacology: The study of how drugs affect the nervous system and the neural mechanisms through which they influence behavior.
• Neuroendocrinology: The study of the interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
• Neuropathology: The study of disease of nervous system tissue.

Techniques

Neuroscience research employs a wide range of techniques to investigate the nervous system. These include:

• Electrophysiology: The measurement of electrical activity in neurons.
• Functional MRI: A type of brain imaging that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
• Optogenetics: A method of controlling neurons with light.
• Neuroinformatics: The application of computational models and analytical tools to neuroscience.

See also

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive science
• Neuroethics

References

Neuroscience Resources
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