Neuroscience
Science behind the nervous system that is responsible for learning, memory, perception & behavior
Curriculum : Course Code - AT015
The course provides a comprehensive overview of cellular and molecular Neuroscience. We introduce core concepts and advances in the field of cognitive, behavioral, computational, and quantitative neuroscience. Recent developments in the field have provided new dimensions to study various aspects of neuroscience. Computational skills are increasingly required to understand the complex biology that can explain vast amounts of data generated via neural signals. We further focus on various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders that affect the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
Highlights
- Cellular & Molecular Memory
- Learning, Encoding, Retrieval and Discrimination of memories
- Perception, decision-making and cognitive development
- The Mysteries of Sleep
- Toward the Molecular Substrate for "Sleepiness"
- Introduction to systems and computational neuroscience
- Neuronal Mechanisms of Value-Based Decision-Making
- A Brain-Machine Interface Approach
- Neurological/psychiatric disease mechanisms.
Introduce topics & technologies like
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Behavioral studies.
- Pain
- Neuromodulators
- Neuroscience of psychedelics
- Aging
Career counseling about an increasingly wide range of available careers, including research (academic & Pharmaceutical company based), teaching, Medical practitioners, to name a few.
We will further discuss new career profiles in the field of neurology and neurosciences with industry professionals.
Activities & Credits
Students learn to make high quality science posters & hone their presentation skills.
Learn to draft scientific write-ups with clear and convincing narratives.
Outstanding students also get opportunities for long-term projects with mentors.
Recent Student Projects in Neuroscience
Exploring Dissociative Identity Disorder
https://elioacademy.org/trisha-anup
Trisha Anup
(Greenwood High International School)
A psychiatric condition diagnosed in 1.5% of the global population. DID is linked with early trauma and abuse, and it causes individuals to develop multiple personalities that act as a coping mechanism to deal with traumatic memories. This research project discusses different aspects of the disorder such as the symptoms of DID, genetic vulnerabilities of DIDSpinal cord injuries (SCIs) are typically associated with life-altering paralysis.
Spinal Cord Injury: Epidural Electrical Stimulation
https://elioacademy.org/aditya-joshi
Aditya Joshi
(Portola High School)
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are typically associated with life-altering paralysis and permanent damage to sensory functions as well as autonomic functions like bladder and bowel control. Falls and car accidents are the most common causes of these injuries. Due to the limited healing potential of the spinal cord, most of the spinal injury treatments available today are only symptom-alleviating rather than restorative.
Comparing the Use of medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia
https://elioacademy.org/lucas-duet
Lucas Duet
(Baldwin High School)
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and other systemic symptoms, affecting approximately 2–8% of the population. The most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical for its treatment is pregabalin, a drug associated with harsh and sometimes dangerous side effects. Due to these concerns, there has been a growing interest in alternative treatment options.
Impact of chronic stress on hippocampal memory formation
https://elioacademy.org/aditi-kampe
Aditi Kampe
(Olentangy Berlin High School)
The hippocampus is where memory processing happens. There are two reasons for these. During the HPA axis, cortisol levels are released; these levels can travel back to the hippocampus. Within the hippocampus, there are GR and MR receptors. GR receptors are activated during high cortisol levels, and MR receptors are activated during low cortisol levels.
Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease of Seniors Living Alone
https://elioacademy.org/jaeyeon-bae
Jaeyeon Bae
(Harbin Wanbang School)
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder. When a person gets Alzheimer’s disease, the function of their brain decreases slowly. As elderly population increases, the number of people who have dementia, mainly caused by Alzheimer’s disease, is annually increasing. Although there are other causes of Alzheimer’s disease, ageing is the major cause of it; therefore, it is important to pay attention to the AD of seniors.
Forgetting to Remember: Memory Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
https://elioacademy.org/evangeline-leung
Evangeline Leung
(Cheltenham Ladies' College)
There are complex underlying neurobiological mechanisms for memory formation, retention, and the pathological forgetting associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memory formation involves encoding, storage, and retrieval processes facilitated by synaptic plasticity, which allows neurons to strengthen or weaken their connections based on activity. In Alzheimer's disease, this process is disrupted, leading to significant memory loss and cognitive decline.
Genetics of Epilepsy
https://elioacademy.org/adina-almakhambetova
Adina Almakhambetova
(NIS PhM Almaty)
Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable brain condition that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Its main symptom is recurrent seizures, which can be brief bursts of involuntary movement impacting a specific part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized). Seizure episodes occur due to excessive electrical discharges in clusters of brain cells. These discharges can originate from various brain areas.
Parkinson’s Disease: Challenges & Progress
https://elioacademy.org/annika-thakur
Annika Thakur
(Oak Park High School)
Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurological disorder after Alzheimers. It is estimated to affect one million people in just the United States, and $14 billion is spent annually treating it. Also , ten million people are estimated to suffer from Parkinson's Worldwide. Parkinson's is a chronic and progressive disease that persists and worsens over time.
Parkinson’s Disease
https://elioacademy.org/isabella-zarzar
Isabella Zarzar
(Carlmont High School)
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects various regions of the brain, notably the substantia nigra, a region responsible for controlling balance and movement. The development of this disease is a result of a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors, possibly involving multiple components that contribute to its onset.
Impact of CAR T-Cell Therapy on Cancer & Future Developments
https://elioacademy.org/talha-waleed
Talha Waleed
(Bridgewater-Raritan High School)
CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative form of immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient’s T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells with high specificity, offering hope for long-term remission, particularly in hematological cancers.
Parkinson’s Disease
https://elioacademy.org/arjun-chunduri
Arjun Chunduri
(Diablo Vista Middle School)
We explore the progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects motor functions due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Symptoms include tremors, bradykinesia, and stiffness, with the disease often linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Concussions
https://elioacademy.org/sera-lee
Sera Lee
(Harbin Wanbang School)
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries resulting from direct head trauma, such as sports injuries, falls, or automobile accidents. These injuries cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to neurological changes that manifest as physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. The project emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment, including rest and gradual return to activity, to prevent further damage, such as Second Impact Syndrome (SIS).
Cerebral Palsy: An Overview
https://elioacademy.org/stanley-tang
Stanley Tang
(Palo Alto High School)
Cerebral Palsy (CP), a neurological disorder affecting motor functions and muscle coordination, often diagnosed in infancy or early childhood. CP results from abnormal brain development or damage, with possible genetic and environmental causes.
Concussions
https://elioacademy.org/lauren-yang
Lauren Yang
(Bridgewater-Raritan High School)
This study is an in-depth overview of concussions, focusing on their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries resulting from direct head trauma, such as sports injuries, falls, or automobile accidents. These injuries cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to neurological changes that manifest as physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.
Impact of COVID-19 on Screen-time & Results in Adolescent Cognitive Behavior
https://elioacademy.org/anel-mishelova
Anel Mishelova
(Astana Bilim Innovation Lyceum for Gifted Girls)
We examine the effects of increased screen time on adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to online learning led to a significant rise in screen time, with average usage increasing from 2.67 to 4.38 hours per day. This extended exposure has been linked to adverse cognitive and mental health outcomes, including premature brain aging, anxiety, depression, and reduced attention spans. The study highlights the development of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) in some adolescents, which further exacerbates these issues by disrupting neural connections and brain function.
Memory Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
https://elioacademy.org/hyolyn-yang
Hyolyn Yang
(Lake Washington High School)
Alzheimer's is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain, which disrupt neural communication and lead to cell death. The hippocampus, crucial for memory, is particularly affected, leading to early symptoms like memory loss and confusion.
Impact of COVID-19 on Screen Time and Results in Adolescent Cognitive Behavior
https://elioacademy.org/riziki-chabeda
Riziki Chabeda
(North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics)
We examine the effects of increased screen time on adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to online learning led to a significant rise in screen time, with average usage increasing from 2.67 to 4.38 hours per day. This extended exposure has been linked to adverse cognitive and mental health outcomes, including premature brain aging, anxiety, depression, and reduced attention spans. The study highlights the development of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) in some adolescents, which further exacerbates these issues by disrupting neural connections and brain function.
Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster: Puberty's Hidden Impacts on the brain
https://elioacademy.org/shravani-sagar-wani
Shravani Sagar Wani
(Conestoga High School)
Profound changes occur in the brain during puberty and have immense effects on emotional regulation and social behavior. Puberty triggers significant hormonal changes, particularly with estrogen and testosterone, leading to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the limbic system. This results in heightened emotions, impulsivity, and shifts in decision-making processes. The research delves into how neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin influence emotions such as happiness, anger, and sadness.
Puberty's Hidden Impacts on the brain
https://elioacademy.org/yaanaa-garg
Yaanaa Garg
(Navrachana International School)
Puberty triggers significant hormonal changes, particularly with estrogen and testosterone, leading to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the limbic system. This results in heightened emotions, impulsivity, and shifts in decision-making processes. The research delves into how neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin influence emotions such as happiness, anger, and sadness.
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