Neuroscience
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary, scientific study of the nervous system. It is concerned with the study of the structure, development, and function of the nervous system. It comprises of physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, developmental biology, cytology, psychology, computer science, and mathematics modeling to understand the fundamental and emergent properties of neurons and neural circuits. Neuroscience describes the biological basis of learning, memory, behavior, perception an consciousness.
Multidisciplinary Nature of Neuroscience
The scope of Neuroscience has broadened over time to include different approaches used to study the nervous system at different scales and the techniques used by neuroscientists have expanded enormously, from molecular and cellular studies of individual neurons to imaging of sensory, motor and cognitive tasks in the brain. Combining specialties has helped progress the understanding of social behavior as well as various psychological disorders, which, act as the frontiers in biological science. The increase in the complexity of the brain led to join forces all aid in puzzling together the various pieces that comprise the brain.
Major Branches of Neuroscience
Neurophysiology
It is the study of the function of the nervous system.
Neurophysiology
It is the study of the anatomy of nervous tissue and neural structure of the nervous system.
Neuropharmacology
It is the study of how drugs affect cellular functions in the nervous system.
Behavioral
Neuroscience
Also known as biopsychology, it is the application of principles of biology to the study of mental process and behavior in human and non-human animals.
Developmental Neuroscience
It aims to describe the cellular basis of brain development and to address the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Cognitive
Neuroscience
It is concerned with the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with the focus on the neural substrates of mental processes.
System
Neuroscience
It is a sub-discipline of neuroscience which studies the function of neural circuits and systems.
Molecular
Neuroscience
It is a branch of neuroscience that examines the biology of nervous system with molecular biology, molecular genetics, protein chemistry and related methodologies.
Computational Neuroscience
It includes both the study of the information processing functions of the nervous system, and the use of digital computers to study nervous system.
Neurophilosophy
It is the interdisciplinary study of neuroscience and philosophy.
Neurology
It is the medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
Neuropsychology
It studies the structure and function of the brain related to psychological processes and behaviors.
What do Neuroscientist do?
A Neuroscientist is curious about how brain works. They try to discover new facts about the brain everyday. Neuroscientists test theories using scientific methods to try and solve theory and study the brain. They focus on the brain and its impact on behavior and cognition. Some are interested in how the brain learns and study way to increase its effectiveness. They are also concerned about what happens to the nervous system when people have neurological, psychiatric and neurodevelopment disorders.
Some Quotes to Inspire you
"The brain is the organ of destiny. It holds within its humming mechanism secrets that will determine the future of the human race."
-Wilder Penfield