Neuroscience

The Department of Neuroscience is responsible for training medical students in the basic principles of neurobiology and in aspects of brain structure and function that provide a framework for developing a fundamental understanding of neurological diseases, neurological procedures and organic psychiatric illnesses. Instruction is carried out in the second year curriculum through lectures, clinical correlation conferences and laboratory workshops.

Members of the department are actively engaged in research programs investigating the basics of nerve signaling through receptors, ion channels and signal transduction processes, as well as the development of neuronal systems and pathways that subserve vision, olfaction, motor function and higher cortical processes. These areas of research include projects relevant to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and retinal degeneration. Biological information processing has been modeled in an "artificial nose" that is being tested as an analytical device and for its possible role in detecting anti-personnel land mines.

The department also provides training for Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students in Neuroscience and offers opportunities for medical students and residents to participate in research projects.

The Neuroscience Program