This course is offered by the Institute Born Bunge
Coordinator: Peter De Deyn
Lecturers: Peter De Deyn, Debby Van Dam
ECTS: 6

Goal and content
The course will deal with the methodological aspects of behavioral analysis, several forms of normal and pathological forms of behavior
The first part of the course encompasses methodological aspects of behavioural analysis, e.g.

• Testing and observation of motor activity
• Neurochemical correlates of behaviour: in vivo microdialysis
• Neuroanatomical localisation of behavioural functions
• Functional imaging (correlation with behaviour)
• Behavioural alterations: testing (Behave-AD, MFS and NPI) and neurophysiological substrates

Several forms of normal behaviour are dealt with in a second part of the course: e.g.

• Sleep and diurnal rhythms
• Sexual behaviour
• Consciousness in man and animal
• Learning and memory
• Eating & drinking behaviour
• Facial expression & recognition of emotions
• Exploration and novelty seeking
• Cognitive and behavioural function, including language and communication

A third part deals with (potential) pathological forms of behaviour, like e.g. depression, anxiety (a.o. posttraumatic stress disorder), aggression, pain, dementia, epilepsy, hyperkinesia (ADHD) and schizophrenia. The course will also discuss psychopharmacological interventions with neurobiological – neurochemical substrates.

Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA. A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions; demonstrations.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation.
Literature: reader and handouts of the presentations.