Executive Summary

The human brain is the ultimate frontier in science. The neurosciences, in the plural, aim to answer fundamental questions of how this mysterious and powerful organ works. The vast complexity of the brain requires that neuroscience take a holistic approach by synthesizing research from multiple scientific disciplines. Many of the questions of neuroscience are necessarily interdisciplinary, such as how the brain processes sensory stimuli, generates language, judges external threats, handles emotions, coordinates motor acts, forms memories, recovers from injury, and generates language. Ultimately, by providing insight into how the brain executes these myriad functions, neuroscience offers the compelling chance of illuminating the deeper mysteries of what makes us human.

Both the basic and clinical neurosciences have undergone an explosion in research in recent years. The rapid expansion in knowledge requires that physicians committed to maintaining their level of expertise learn about and master these new developments. This course provides a comprehensive and concise review of the neurosciences with special emphasis upon recent and important developments in the field. Taught by lecturers at the forefront of their fields, this course covers a broad range of topics in the neurosciences. Topics include basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, neuroendocrinology, neurochemistry, and neurogenetics.

The course is intended for graduate physicians and residents in neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, and clinical psychologists.