BiopsychologyBiopsychology• The scientific study of the biology of

behavior.

• It is a research intensive field.

• New findings continually update our current state of knowledge.

Thus a course in Advanced Advanced BiopsychologyBiopsychology, studies the current state of knowledge and contributes to furthering that knowledge.

Pop Quiz: true/false1. Everyone is born with all the neurons they will

have throughout life, what changes are the connections between them.

2. When neurons of the CNS die they are not replaced.

3. Glial cells provide the ‘glue’ that holds neurons in place but do not directly communicate with other cells.

4. Paralysis from stroke is permanent with minimal functional restoration.

Dewsbury (1991)

The “biology” in “psychobiology” should include the whole-animal approaches of ethology, ecology, evolution…as well as the latest in physiological methods and thought…. The “compleat psychobiologist” should use whatever explanatory power can be found with modern physiological techniques, but never lose sight of the problems that got us going in the first place: the integrated behavior of whole, functioning, adapted organisms. (p. 198).

Dewsbury, D.A. (1991). Psychobiology. American Psychologist, 46, 198-205.

Biopsychology – the scientific study of the biology of behavior (Dewsbury, 1991).

• Psychobiology

• Behavioral biology

• Behavioral neuroscience

• Physiological psychology

It denotes a biological approach to the study of psychology (the scientific study of behavior).

““Although it is not possible to specify Although it is not possible to specify the exact date of biopsychology’s birth, the exact date of biopsychology’s birth, the publication of the publication of The Organization of The Organization of Behavior Behavior in 1949 by Donald Hebb played in 1949 by Donald Hebb played a key role in it’s emergence.”a key role in it’s emergence.”

Karl Lashley (1890-1958)

• Coined the term “neuropsychology”• Studied the effects of cortical lesions on learning

performance in rats with the goal of finding the “engram” or locus of a memory trace.

• Principle of “equipotentiality” • Principle of “mass action”

                                                                                   

Phrenology

• Franz Joseph Gall (~1800)

• Personality traits can be

determined by measuring

protrusions or bumps on the skull.

• Although the methodology was discredited as a pseudoscience, it did advance the idea that certain functions may be localized to specific brain regions.

Multiple memory systems

• Current research supports localization of function…

• E.g., Different types of learning– Behaviorism (S-R)– Cognitivism (S-S)

• Neuropsychological evidence compellingly demonstrates that different brain regions mediate cognitive and associative learning.

Can one localize ‘intelligence’Once thought to be the complex function

of the prefrontal

cortex, until…

• Phineas Gage

Is the ‘Genius brain different?

Can ‘genius’ really be quantified by neuroscientists?

Several publications have reported differences betweenEinstein’s brain compared to ‘normal’ control brains, which has led to some debate among scientists.

References:

1. Diamond, M.C., et al., 1985. On the brain of a scientist: Albert Einstein. Exp Neurol 88, 198-204.

2. Kantha, S.S., 1992. Albert Einstein's dyslexia and the significance of Brodmann Area 39 of his left cerebral cortex. Med Hypotheses 37, 119-122.

3. Anderson, B., Harvey, T., 1996. Alterations in cortical thickness and neuronal density in the frontal cortex of Albert Einstein. Neurosci Lett 210, 161-164.

4. Galaburda, A.M., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1821; author reply 1822.5. Hines, T., 1998. Further on Einstein's brain. Exp Neurol 150, 343-344.6. Salvatori, R., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1821-1822.7. Seitz, J.A., 1999. Albert Einstein's brain. Lancet 354, 1822-1823. 8. Colombo, J.A., et al., 2006. Cerebral cortex astroglia and the brain of a genius: a propos

of A. Einstein's. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 52, 257-263.

A strange journeyThe brain-snatcher: Thomas HarveyThe driver: Michael

PaternitiThe passenger: Einstein’s brain

“Anticlimactic endings are like taking your dog for a walk only to watch him urinate on your rug when you come back home. Not that the walk itself wasn’t enjoyable, just that the end result leaves a lot to be desired.”

Review:

Horowitz, S. (2000). Driving Mr. Albert: A trip across America with Einstein’s brain, by Michael Paterniti. Nature Medicine, 6, 1090.

Recommended Text

Brian Burrell (2005)

Chapter 14: Einstein’s Brain

NPR interview with Burrellhttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4602913

The book includes an excellent critical The book includes an excellent critical review of the scientific studies review of the scientific studies performed with bits of the brain.performed with bits of the brain.

For example…For example…

Diamond et al., 1985

One out of 28 results were significant (p<.05): Einstein had a smaller neuron-to-glial cell ratio in area 39 of the left hemisphere. Concluded that, like rats exposed to an enriched environment, Einstein had more glial cells to support neurons in a brain region mediating visuospatial and math functions.

Many flaws with the study: unspecified control, questionable data selection, transformation and statistical tests etc.

Maybe the glial cells were increased because of early damage related to Einstein’s delayed language development

A picture is worth a million $

““A. Einstein's astrocytic processes showed larger sizes and higher numbers of…bulbous A. Einstein's astrocytic processes showed larger sizes and higher numbers of…bulbous endings...of unknown significance and they have been described occurring in Alzheimer's endings...of unknown significance and they have been described occurring in Alzheimer's disease. These observations are placed in the context of the general discussion regarding the disease. These observations are placed in the context of the general discussion regarding the proposal – by other authors – that structural, postmortem characteristics of the aged brain of proposal – by other authors – that structural, postmortem characteristics of the aged brain of Albert Einstein may serve as markers of his cognitive performance, a proposal to which the Albert Einstein may serve as markers of his cognitive performance, a proposal to which the authors of this paper do not subscribe, and argue against.”authors of this paper do not subscribe, and argue against.”

Lessons

Review research carefully, even studies published in peer reviewed journals.

…is the rationale sound?

…are the methods used appropriate?

…is the interpretation justified?

Healthy skepticism = good science

Localization of function

• Is still an open question

• As consumers of science, you should be a discerning critic of research findings

• neo-phrenology or something more

• Brains and behavior are incredibly complex…

The brain paradox

Flex your mental might…It’s all in how you use itDuhh, donut

Biopsychology in the news

• http://www.npr.org/

• http://www.biopsychology.com/

• http://www.brainconnection.com/

• http://www.sfn.org/

• http://www.dana.org/braincenter.cfm

GenesGenes

CurrentCurrentBehaviorBehavior

CurrentCurrentOrganismOrganism

Thinking about the Biology of Behavior

ExperienceExperienceDevelopmentDevelopment

GDE

EvolutionEvolution

CurrentCurrentSituationSituation

Homersapien

Systems and Circuits

Multiple levels of brain organizationMultiple levels of brain organization

Synapses and Neurons

Genes and Molecules

Behavior and Cognition

Why study behavior if the all the action Why study behavior if the all the action is at the molecular and genetic levels?is at the molecular and genetic levels?

The proof is in the behaviorThe proof is in the behavior

Answer:Answer:

A Drug company makes a major A Drug company makes a major discovery!discovery!

The silver bullet of longevity The silver bullet of longevity that could extend your life that could extend your life by 50 yearsby 50 years

But what if there was But what if there was no proof that it no proof that it

preserves cognitive preserves cognitive function?function?

Would you take a Would you take a longevity pill?longevity pill?

Genes and Aginghttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3401/01.html

http://www.genesistoday.com/genesis_today_products/resv_berry_juice.html

Product endorsement?

At an August sales conference, Dr. Sinclair told Shaklee's salespeople that "over a year ago, we set out together to do this, to make a product that you could actually activate these genetic pathways that can slow down aging." In a video of the conference -- posted on the Internet -- he added, "Together, as part of the Shaklee family...we can take this technology right now, to our friends, to our family, and really have the benefits of this new technology right now, within our lifetimes, and you'll learn more about the Vivix product later."

Harvard Anti-Aging Researcher Quits Shaklee Advisory Board

By KEITH J. WINSTEIN Wall Street Journal DECEMBER 26, 2008http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123025446150734561.html

Resveratrol in red wine?

Procyanidin – vitamin P

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/hot-chocolate-fight-dementia-study-article-1.1421045

Blueberry flavonoids