Behavioral Neuroscience: Contrasting Tests for Anxiety and Depression from edX

This online course on behavioral neuroscience goes more in-depth on scientific research, in mice and humans, related to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Studying the human brain can be difficult, so neuroscientists often first use mice in research because of the similarities in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurobiology. Explore the study of neuroscience through enrollment in this course and:

Learn how to critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests for anxiety and depression in laboratory mice.
Evaluate how different behavioral tests can affect the interpretation of results.
Collect behavioral data from mouse videos from compulsive-like, non-compulsive-like, and randomly bred mouse strains; a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Develop an ability to analyze behavioral data and be proficient in the visualization of these data.
Develop an ability to interpret and discuss results in the context of human psychiatric disorders and human behavior and the mouse model of OCD.
Obtain a competency in describing key characteristics of anxiety and depression in humans and in animal models.
Develop an ability to compare and contrast compulsive-like, anxiety-like, and depression-like behaviors in mice to equivalent human behaviors.
Develop a capability to formulate original research hypotheses.
Obtain a competency in describing and discussing how basic research, as performed in this certificate program, contributes to the animal model of OCD and how it may have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of mental health, behavioral health and improving healthcare, quality of life and well-being and the biological basis of human behavior. This certificate program also will enhance your personal development and your professional development.

Learners who join this course should be free of objections to using mice in research.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests in mice.
Collect, analyze, and interpret behavioral data from mouse videos.
Establish a foundation in using behavioral tests in laboratory mice.

Develop ability to compare and contrast different behaviors in mice.
Understand the role of animal models in studying human psychiatry.

Critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests in mice.
Collect, analyze, and interpret behavioral data from mouse videos.
Establish a foundation in using behavioral tests in laboratory mice.
Develop ability to compare and contrast different behaviors in mice.
Understand the role of animal models in studying human psychiatry.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction, Anxiety: Background - elevated zero maze test

Module 2: Anxiety: Data Collection and Analysis

Module 3: Depression: Background - forced swim test

Module 4: Depression: Data Collection and Analysis

Module 5: Interpretation of results

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers essential concepts and standard practices in behavioral neuroscience

Instructors have experience and recognition in using mice to study mental health conditions

Provides hands-on experience collecting and analyzing behavioral data from mice

Suitable for students interested in pursuing behavioral research specifically using mice

May require prior knowledge in behavioral neuroscience or related fields

Learners should be comfortable using mice in research

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Behavioral Neuroscience: Contrasting Tests for Anxiety and Depression with these activities:

Read 'Behavioral Neuroscience' by S. Marc Breedlove

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the field of behavioral neuroscience and will help you understand the key concepts and theories that will be discussed in this course.

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Read the book's introduction and first chapter
Read the chapters on the nervous system, neurotransmitters, and sensory systems
Read the chapters on learning, memory, and motivation
Read the chapters on emotion, stress, and mental illness

Review basic statistics

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Brushing up on the basics of statistics can help you understand experimental designs better and better understand the research findings discussed in this course.

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Review the basic concepts of statistics, such as mean, median, and standard deviation
Practice calculating these statistics using a calculator or software
Review the different types of statistical tests and when to use each one
Practice conducting statistical tests using a calculator or software

Watch video lectures on behavioral neuroscience

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Enhance your understanding of the subject by watching video lectures from experts in the field.

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Search for video lectures on behavioral neuroscience on platforms like YouTube or Coursera
Watch a few lectures to get an overview of the subject
Watch lectures on specific topics that you are interested in

Six other activities

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Organize your notes and materials

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Helps you keep your learning resources organized and accessible.

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Review your notes, assignments, and quizzes
Organize your materials into folders and subfolders
Use color-coding or other visual cues to differentiate between different topics

Practice applying your knowledge

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This course involves a lot of research-based analysis, completing practice drills will help you strengthen your foundation and better understand the research.

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Find a research paper on a topic that interests you
Read the paper and identify the research question, hypothesis, and methods
Analyze the data and draw conclusions
Write a short summary of the paper

Create a mind map of the key concepts in behavioral neuroscience

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Visualize your understanding of the subject by creating a mind map of the key concepts.

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Brainstorm the key concepts in behavioral neuroscience
Start with a central concept or topic and make connections to related concepts
Break down complex concepts into smaller, manageable chunks

Write a research proposal

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Get hands-on experience in designing a research study by writing a research proposal.

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Choose a research topic that you are interested in
Develop a research question and hypothesis
Design a research method
Write a research proposal

Tutor other students

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Sharpen your understanding and deepen your knowledge by engaging in peer-to-peer teaching.

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Identify concepts or topics that you are confident in
Reach out to other students who may need help in those areas
Offer to tutor them, explaining concepts, answering questions, and providing support

Attend industry events

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Get involved in industry events to learn about the latest trends, connect with professionals, and explore career opportunities.

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Research upcoming industry events in your field
Register and attend the events
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your interests
Network with other attendees, including professionals, recruiters, and potential collaborators

Career center

Learners who complete Behavioral Neuroscience: Contrasting Tests for Anxiety and Depression will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Behavioral Neuroscientist

Behavioral Neuroscientists work on scientific research, often but not always in a lab setting. By studying the nervous system, brain, and behavior in animals and humans, you can help build a foundation in research that contributes to the understanding of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. This course may be particularly useful for those who wish to enter this career field, as it goes in depth on how to critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests in research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Behavioral Neuroscientist

Health Sciences Researcher

Health Sciences Researchers work to improve the health of individuals and communities in a variety of settings. By enrolling in this course, you will learn how to critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests in mice, how to collect behavioral data from mouse videos, and how to develop and test hypotheses. These are all essential skills for those who wish to conduct research in the health sciences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Sciences Researcher

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals and their behavior. This course may be particularly useful for those who wish to study the behavior of animals in a natural setting, as it provides a foundation in the different types of behavioral tests used to study anxiety and depression in animals.

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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. By enrolling in this course, you can learn about the different types of anxiety and depression disorders and how to treat them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatrist

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to develop new knowledge and technologies. This course may be particularly useful for those who wish to conduct research on anxiety and depression, as it provides a foundation in the different types of behavioral tests used to study these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Laboratory Animal Technician

Laboratory Animal Technicians assist scientists in the care and use of animals in research. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to work with mice in a laboratory setting, including how to collect and analyze behavioral data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Animal Technician

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals. This course may be particularly useful for those who wish to work with animals in a clinical setting, as it provides a foundation in the different types of behavioral tests used to study anxiety and depression in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses and organizations make decisions. This course helps build a foundation in how to analyze behavioral data, which could be useful for working with data related to the health sciences or other fields that use animal models.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make decisions. This course helps build a foundation in how to collect and analyze behavioral data from mouse videos. This could be useful for working with data related to the health sciences or other fields that use animal models.

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Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselors provide support and guidance to help people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. By enrolling in this course, you can learn about the symptoms and treatment of anxiety and depression and how to provide support to those who are struggling with these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Social Worker

Social Workers help people navigate the challenges of life, including mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. By enrolling in this course, you can learn about the different types of anxiety and depression disorders and how to provide support to those who are struggling with these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Psychologist

Psychologists work with people to help them understand and cope with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. By enrolling in this course, you can learn about the different types of anxiety and depression disorders and how to provide support to those who are struggling with these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselors help people overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. By enrolling in this course, you can learn about the different types of anxiety and depression disorders and how they can lead to substance abuse.

See salaries and explore the career path for Substance Abuse Counselor

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell medications and medical equipment to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. This course can help build a foundation in the different types of anxiety and depression medications and how they are used to treat these conditions.

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Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students at all levels, from elementary school to college. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to teach about anxiety and depression, including how to explain the symptoms and treatment of these conditions.

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