Chemistry and the Brain
PSYC 556 NEUR 600 Thursdays 1:30-4:10p, Krasnow 229
Prerequisites: Psyc 372 (Biopsychology) or permission of the instructor.
Course Goals: This is an intense introduction to chemistry and biochemistry, recommended for graduate or advanced undergraduate neuroscience and psychology students with less than five chemistry credits. The goal is to provide students with sufficient knowledge to understand and appreciate the molecular bases of neuroscience, including the physiological action of nerve conductance and synaptic transmission, and the functional mechanisms of common psychoactive drugs and neuropathologies. We will start from the foundations of general chemistry and cover all major classes of organic compounds. We will then go into the properties and functions of the most important biopolymers, with particular emphasis on proteins. Finally, we will integrate this knowledge in the context of neuronal organization, with examples relevant to neuroscience.
Contents in Brief: Fundamentals of general chemistry - atoms, molecules, and reactions, with emphasis on water solutions. Organic compounds and functional groups - (bio)synthesis, reactivity, and examples from the nervous system. Biopolymers and their roles in cellular and neuronal organization - ionic channels, neurotransmitter receptors, and psychoactive substances.
Method of Instruction and Evaluation: Weekly lectures will be divided in two portions of approximately 1hr15min, with a 10min break in the middle. Active student participation and class discussion are warmly encouraged. Mandatory readings and homework questions will be assigned every week. Each lecture will be preceded by a homework discussion by the students (this will be an opportunity to review and expand the material as well). This means that each student will be called several times during the semester to explain and discuss how (s)he answered the assigned question(s) to the rest of the class. After class, I will email the called student(s) with direct feedback and a grade corresponding to their answers. Student attendance and punctuality are required (3 late arrivals >10 minute = 1 absence; 3 absences = 1 homework F). The final exam will be take-home, open-book, and in the style of the homework questions assigned throughout the semester. Final grades will be based on 50% class participation and homework discussion, and 50% final exam. Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A+ and A, 4.00; A-, 3.67; B+, 3.33; B, 3.00; B-, 2.67 (undergrad only); C+, 2.33 (undergrad only); C, 2.00; D, 1.00 (undergrad only); F, 0.00.
Instructor: Dr. Giorgio Ascoli - Ph. x3-4383, E-mail: ascoli@gmu.edu
Office location: Krasnow Institute, Rm. 223
Office hours: Monday 3-4p, Thursday 4:15-5:15p, or by appointment.
Required Text: Blei & Odian, General, Organic, and Biochemistry, Second Edition (NY: Freeman).
Other
Technology Requirement: Ability to access the web and email communication.
Honor Code: GMU Academic Policies apply in full (http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies/)
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703-993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
(Approx.) Class Schedule
of Topics and
1) 1/25: Introduction Atoms, molecules, reactions. Periodic table. [Chapters 1-4]. Assignments (due 2/1): Study Chapter 2 and 3, referring to Chapters 1 and 4 as you need/wish. Stare at the Periodic Table for at least 10 minutes. Read Chapters 8 and 9. Exercises from Chapter 2: 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, 44, 46. Exercises from Chapter 3: 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 32.
2) 2/1: Electronegativity, metals, and redox. Acid, bases, salts. Bonds. Water. [Chapters 6-9].
Last day to drop without penalty and last day to add: 2/6.
3) 2/8: Organic compounds and the Carbon atom. Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic compounds. [Chapters 11, 12].
No Class 2/15 Catch up with review of general and inorganic chemistry!
4) 2/22: Alcohols, ethers, aldheydes, and ketones. Polar and apolar compounds. [Chapters 13, 14]. REVIEW of classes 1-4.
Last day to drop: 2/23.
5) 3/1 Carboxyl acids and esters. [Chapter 15].
6) 3/8: Amines and amides. [Chapter 16].
Spring Break 3/15
7) 3/22: Stereoisomers. Aminoacids. [Chapter 17].
8) 3/29: Proteins: Primary structure and post-translational modifications. Higher-order structures. Prions. Ligand binding. Enzymes and enzymatic cascades. [Chapters 20, 22]. REVIEW of classes 5-8.
9) 4/5: Other macromolecules: Carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Information flow and genomics. The metabolic chart. [Chapters 18, 21].
10) 4/12: Lipids, cell membranes, and cell structure. Ionic gradients and channels. [Chapters 19, 24, and Handouts].
11) 4/19: Neurotransmitters, ligand- and voltage-gated ionotropic receptors, metabotropic receptors and second messengers. [Chapters 23, 25, and Handouts].
12) 4/26: Drugs and the nervous system. Structure, transport, interaction, and mechanisms. Benzodiazepines, cocaine, and other psychoactive substances. [Chapter 26 and Handouts]. REVIEW of classes 9-12.
13) 5/3: Biochemistry: from theory to practice. Grand Review (classes 1-13) and Take Home Exam assignment.
E) 5/10: Take Home Exam due 4:15p.