Synapses, Neurons and Brains

Questions on cortical columns of mice

I was auditing a Coursera Course on Neuroscience, and I came across something very interesting. https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses/lecture/IEhtz/a-cortical-column-networks

From this lecture, each whisker on a mouse corresponds to a particular cortical column in the mouse's cortex. This was amazing to me, I want to understand how a column works. For that I want to know what have we observed so far.

Is this truly a one to one mapping of whiskers to a column? Are there many more columns that comprise a single whisker column? How does the column have different states for different orientations of whisker activations?

I am inspired by Jeff Hawkins, that sequences are cornerstone of learning and memory/predictions, and I want an open discussion of how this could be achieved, and criticize if that hypothesis is correct/false. I am more interested in the mechanics of how this works, less so by how this is achieved via biochemical interactions (although it is of great interest to me as well).

My hypothesis is that cortical columns are not 'programmed' genetically, but rather emerge via a perceptual process. This process itself is genetic.

I am trying to get a grasp of how cortical columns could give rise to memory and recognition. In general I know this is an open problem, but I want to understand what is observed so far, and have an open debate with experts in this domain and inspire each other to come up with theories on the underlying mechanics of intelligence.

Idan Segev has a fantastic coursera course called "Synapses, Neurons and Brains". It focuses more on the functional aspect of neurons, so it doesn't go deep into molecular biology, but it gives a very good introduction to the field.

If you are just getting started, I thought this class was both accessible and informative: https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses

Very interesting!
He is the instructor for a coursera course:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses

HarvardX has a Neuroscience series on Edx. Prof. David Cox (an amazing instructor) does a great job of explaining all the concepts. Prof. Cox loosely follows the roadmap of "Principles of Neuroscience" (Bible of Neuroscience) in teaching you all about neuro.

As others mentioned, Prof Idan Segev's lectures are also amazing. His course is terrific! A bit more on the mathematical side, but throughly enjoyble.

If you wanna get serious, then may start with "Principles of Neuroscience" ( It is Dense). Or if you wanna take it in a chill manner, I suggest you read "Phantoms in the Brain" (Ramachandran) and/or "In search of memory" (Eric Kandel).

Links: 1. HarvardX - Fundamentals of Neuroscience (David Cox) : https://www.mcb80x.org/

1. COURSERA - Synapses Neurons and Brains (Idan Segev): https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses

2. Principles of Neuroscience (Bible) : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Principles-Neural-Science-Eric-Kandel/dp/0071120009

3. Phantoms in the brain (light reading) : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phantoms-Brain-Human-Nature-Architecture/dp/1857028953/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=phantoms+in+the+brain&qid=1554656017&s=gateway&sr=8-1

4. In search of Memory (Light/ Prof. Kandel's autobiography) : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Memory-Emergence-Science-Mind/dp/0393329372/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=55023209695&hvadid=267263649722&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006886&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15385242070491717900&hvtargid=kwd-300130930305&keywords=in+search+of+memory&qid=1554655995&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Have fun!

https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses

Take Idan's course!

https://www.coursera.org/learn/synapses

Couple of Coursera courses:

• Medical Neuroscience
• Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life (I liked this A LOT)
• Advanced Neurobiology I

Plus courses that are more computational specific:

• Synapses, Neurons and Brains
• Computational Neuroscience

And there is going to be a free Online Summer School hosted by International Youth Neuroscience Association this July. I guess they are still open for applications. https://ibb.co/ykcRjS0

"So are you saying thats its a mix of nature/nuture or is it 100% environment? "So are you saying thats its a mix of nature/nuture or is it 100% environment? Because if black peeps were raised well and stuff so they had the same iq as everyone else. Because they have higher bone density wouldn't that make them the superior race?"

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Your thinking maybe right but due to lack of evidence we can provide, we can't say for sure that "You are black is why you are dumb". Currently, it is believed by some neuroscientist that environment is the cause. BUT you can change it by becoming a neuroscientist.

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"Also i'd to love learn about some neuroscience :)"

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First and foremost, most people who fail to study ANY subject is because of lack of self-discipline and not knowing how to learn properly.

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Note: The courses below are all free. Click "Audit the course" after clicking enroll in Coursera.

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Step #1

Learning How to Learn is a course by University of California San Diego. It focuses on how to better learn and avoid procrastination.

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Step #2

Now you need to learn the relevant math and stuff.

1. Statistic and probability (You will learn that there is no such thing as 100% confidence in statistics.)
2. Linear Algebra
3. Graph Theory
4. Digital Signal Processing
5. Take sometime to memorize brain parts.
6. Depends on which side you want to study (Don't worry about this now as your course will tell you.)

Step #3

Now you are ready to jump into neuroscience!

1. Medical Neuroscience
2. Synapses, Neurons and Brains
3. Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging
4. Computational Neuroscience
5. You can also learn Neural Network (A.I.) now if you have learnt the math above.

Step #5

Now it is time for you to become a scientist!

1. Scientific Methods and Research
2. Now you can ask yourself what question public have that you as a scientist want to answer. You can do your research from here. Write a scientific journals and then perhaps write a book on it.

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Remember, it takes discipline to learn something. You are not only are you gonna be learning neuroscience with above steps, you will be learning self-discipline too. Most people who fail is because they lack self-discipline. When you gain self-discipline, you basically win in life.

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PS: Don't try to rush. Instead, sit down and study relaxly. You want to understand every topic well so get yourself a notebook and a pen. Enjoy your journey.

PPS: Get yourself a weekly blog. That way you will have motivation to study the path above. It will also be useful for future employment and university admission and of course, big scholarships.