Readings

Required Textbook

[GES] = Buy at MIT Press Schneider, G. E. Brain Structure and Its Origins: In Development and in Evolution of Behavior and the Mind. MIT Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780262026734.

Supplementary Textbooks

[LWS] = Swanson, Larry W. Brain Architecture, Understanding the Basic Plan. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780195378580.

[JMA] = Allman, John Morgan. Evolving Brains. W. H. Freeman and Co., 1999. ISBN: 9780716750765.

Additional Supplementary Sources

[JHMF] = Nauta, Walle J. H., and Michael Feirtag. Fundamental Neuroanatomy. W. H. Freeman and Co., 1986. ISBN: 9780716717232.

[GFS] = Striedter, Georg F. Principles of Brain Evolution. Sinauer Associates, 2004. ISBN: 9780878938209.

[PB] = Brodal, Per. The Central Nervous System, Structure and Function. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN: 9780195165609. [Preview with Google Books]

[WHAB] = Butler, Ann B., and William Hodos. Comparative Vertebrate Neuroanatomy: Evolution and Adaptation. Wiley-Liss, 1996. ISBN: 9780471888895. [Preview with Google Books]

[JWDP] = Purves, Dale, and Jeff W. Lichtman. Principles of Neural Development. Sinauer Associates, 1985. ISBN: 9780878937448.

SES # TOPICS & READING QUESTIONS READINGS
1–2 Introduction: brain orientation, primitive cellular activities (PDF) [GES] Chapters 1 and 2.
3–4 Steps to the CNS of chordates (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 3 and 4.

[GFS] Chapter 2, pp. 37–44.

[JMA] Chapter 2, pp. 16–41.

5–6 Introduction to the pre-mammalian brain; specializations; overview of forebrain structures (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 5, 6, and 7.

[GFS] Chapter 3, pp. 51–81.

[JHMF] Chapter 3, pp. 39–79 and Chapter 4, pp. 50–61.

[LWS] Chapter 4a, pp. 40–60.

7–8 Completion of forebrain structures. CNS development and anatomy (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 8 and 9, pp. 153–74 and Chapter 9a, pp. 175–8.

[LWS] Chapter 4a, pp. 40–60.

[JWDP] Chapter 1, pp. 3–23.

[GFS] pp. 220–23. Figure 7.1.

9–12 Autonomic nervous system; differentiation of brain vesicles (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 10, 11, and 12.

[JHMF] Chapter 5, pp. 64–84.

[JMA] Chapter 5, pp. 86–119.

13–14 CNS differentiation: Axon growth (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 13.

[JWDP] Chapter 4b, pp. 94–103 and Chapter 5, pp. 105–29.

Zigmond, Michael J., Floyd E. Bloom, et al, eds. Fundamental Neuroscience. Academic Press Inc, 1999. pp. 519–46, 417–517, and  547–654. ISBN: 9780127808727.

15 Motor systems 1 (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 14.

[LWS] Chapter 6a, pp. 97–122; Chapter 5 and Chapter 6b, pp. 122–38.

[JHMF] Chapter 7, pp. 91–107.

[GFS] Chapter 7, pp. 217–53.

16 Motor System 2

[GES] Chapters 15 and 16.

[LWS] Chapters 6 and 5.

[JHMF] Chapter 7, pp. 91–107.

[GFS] Chapter 7, pp. 217–53.

17–18 Brain states (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 17.

Much can be found using online searches. Most reliable are the papers found using Google Scholar.

19 Midterm Exam  
20

Sheep brain dissection Please wear appropriate lab attire (i.e., long pants, close-toed shoes).

Taste and olfactory systems (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 18 and 19.

[PB] Chapter 10, pp. 233–9.

Lois, Carlos, Jose-Manuel Garcia-Verdugo, et al. "Chain Migration of Neuronal Precursors." Science 271, no. 5251 (1996): 97–81.

[GFS] Chapter 5, pp. 137–57.

Alvarez-Buylla, Arturo, and Jose Manuel Garcı́a-Verdugo. "Neurogenesis in Adult Subventricular Zone." The Journal of Neuroscience 22, no. 3 (2002): 629–34.

Malnic, Bettina, Junzo Hirono, et al. "Combinatorial Receptor Codes for Odors." Cell 96, no. 5 (1999): 713–23.

21–23

Visual systems (PDF)

 

[GES] Chapters 20, 21, and 22.

[JMA] Chapter 6, pp. 122–57.

[GFS] Chapter 6, pp. 185–215. Figures 7.14, 7.15, and 7.16.

For more advanced study by students already familiar with above:

[WHAB] Chapter 18, 20, 22, 25, and 26.

24–25 Auditory and related sensory systems (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 23.

[JMA] Chapter 5, pp. 98–101.

[GFS] Chapter 8, pp. 259–68. Figure 8.10. Chapter 5, pp. 154–7 and Chapter 5, pp. 162–71.

[WHAB] Chapter 11, pp. 148–52 and Chapter 28, pp. 410–21.

26 Forebrain evolution (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 24.

[GFS] Chapter 8a, pp. 255–87.

[JMA] Chapter 5.

[JHMF] Chapter 13, pp. 220–38.

[WHAB] Chapter 19, pp. 259–80.

27–29 Hypothalamus and limbic system, part 1 (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 25 and 26.

[JHMF] Chapter 8, pp. 108–31.

[PB] Chapter 19, pp. 397–414.

[LWS] Chapter 6b, pp. 117–30 and Chapter 7, pp. 194–55.

Mesulam, M-Marsel, ed. Chapter 1 in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 64–66. ISBN: 9780195134759. [Preview with Google Books]

Giesler Jr, Glenn J., James T. Katter, et al. "Direct Spinal Pathways to the Limbic System for Nociceptive Information." Trends in Neurosciences 17, no. 6 (1994): 244–50.

30 Hormonal and other influences on brain development and plasticity (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 27.

Swaab, D. F., and M. A. Hofman. "Sexual differentiation of the human hypothalamus in relation to gender and sexual orientation." Trends in Neurosciences 18, no. 6 (1995): 264–70.

Nottebohm, Fernando. "From Bird Song to Neurogenesis." Scientific American 260, no. 2 (1989): 74–9.

Kimura, Doreen. "Sex Differences in the Brain." Scientific American 267, no. 3 (1992): 118–25.

Zigmond, Michael J., Floyd E. Bloom, et al, eds. Fundamental Neuroscience. Academic Press Inc, 1999. ISBN: 9780127808727.

Chapter 47, pp. 1229–44, box 47.2 and box 47.3.

31 Hippocampal formation (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 27.

[GFS] Chapter 5, pp. 171–6 and Chapter 8, pp. 290–94.

[PB] Chapter 30, section on Evolutionary perspective (to get a flavor of the comparative work).

Mesulam, M-Marsel, ed. Chapter 1 in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 1–120, and 49–64. ISBN: 9780195134759. [Preview with Google Books]
(focus on the hippocampus section for this session (pp. 59–64)).

32 Amygdala and other aspects of limbic forebrain (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 29.

[PB] Chapter 20, pp. 415–34.

Mesulam, M-Marsel, ed. Chapter 1 in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 1–120, and 49–64. ISBN: 9780195134759. [Preview with Google Books]

33–34 Corpus striatum (PDF)

[GES] Chapters 30 and 31. Chapter 31, Intermission.

[JHMF] pp. 99, figure 48. pp. 97–101.

[GFS] Chapter 8, pp. 287–9 and Chapter 8.

[PB] Chapter 13, pp. 286–302.

Mesulam, M-Marsel, ed. Chapter 1 in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 66–71. ISBN: 9780195134759. [Preview with Google Books]

35–37

Neocortex (PDF)

Neocortex 2 (PDF)

Neocortex (Supplemental Questions on Nauta) (PDF)

[GES] Chapter 32 (chapter 32 contains a number of novel proposals about how the hemispheres function. It is important for students to read this, especially because it will not all be covered in lectures.); Chapter 33 and Chapter 34.

[JMA] Chapter 7, pp. 160–208.

[JHMF] Chapter 13, pp. 220–27 and 235–38 (concerning the skipped passages: do study all the figures and figure legends). Chapter 16, pp. 289–307.

[PB] Chapter 21, pp. 435–64 (Through p 446 is basic; remainder is on association cortex. Some of this is redundant, but that helps! Key points from Nauta and Brodal will be covered in class).

[JWDP] Chapter 4, pp. 91–5.

Rakic, Pasko. "A small step for the cell, a giant leap for mankind: a hypothesis of neocortical expansion during evolution." Trends in Neurosciences 18, no. 9 (1995): 383–88.

For more advanced reading:

[GFS] Chapter 9, pp. 297–344.

Mesulam, M-Marsel, ed. Chapter 1 in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 1–17, 21–54, and 71–75. ISBN: 9780195134759. [Preview with Google Books]

Finlay, Barbara L., and Richard B. Darlington. "Linked Regularities in the Development and Evolution of Mammalian Brains." Science 268, no. 5217 (1995): 1578–84.

Bonhoeffer, Tobias. "Neurotrophins and Activity-dependent Development of the Neocortex." Current Opinion in Neurobiology 6, no. 1 (1996): 119–26.

Sur, Mriganka, Alessandra Angelucci, et al. "Rewiring Cortex: The Role of Patterned Activity in Development and Plasticity of Neocortical Circuits." Journal of Neurobiology 41, no. 1 (1999): 33–43.

Bai, Wanzhu, Mami Ishida, et al. "Role of the Protomap and Target-derived Signals in the Development of Intrahemispheric Connections." Cerebral Cortex 16, no. 1 (2006): 124–35.

For supplemental reading on Nauta:

[JHMF] Chapter 13, pp. 220–27 and 235–38 and Chapter 16, pp. 289–307.

38 Plasticity in brain connections; Review (PDF) [GES] Chapter 34.
  Final Exam  

Additional Recommended Readings

There are a number of additional recommended readings for this course.