What are the mechanisms by which neurons differentiate to achieve the spectacular complexity of the brain? Join UCSD's Nick Spitzer as he explains what we know about this process. (57 minutes)

Join UCSD's Larry Squire in a fascinating presentation of recent research about memory systems in humans and other mammals. (58 minutes)

We make thousands of decisions every day: where to go, what to do, when to do it. Join UCSD's William Kristan and discover how neurons, synapses, and chemical input play out in decision making. (57 minutes)

Neuroscientist Patricia Churchland explores how the human mind functions in guiding one's decisions. (55 minutes)

In this fascinating presentation, The Salk Institute's Terry Sejnowski explores how by its nature the human brain is susceptible to the effects of addictive substances. (59 minutes)

In this edition of "Grey Matters," Aniruddh Patel, of the Neurosciences Institute, discusses what music can teach us about the brain, and what brain science, in turn, can reveal about music. (51 minutes)

Join Stuart Lipton of The Burnham Institute and discover important anti-aging strategies, the latest drugs for degenerative disorders such as AlzheimerŐs disease and the potential use of human stem cells for neurological conditions. (57 minutes)

UCSD's Charles Zuker explores the neurobiology of taste, smell and vision. (88 minutes)

Is sleep for rest? To conserve energy? For development? To cool the brain? To warm it? To boost the immune system? To learn and memorize? Or to unlearn, ridding our brains of excess mental baggage? All of these ideas have been proposed, leading to the suggestion that insomniacs might do better to count sleep theories instead of sheep. Join renowned neuroscientist Ralph Greenspan of The Neurosciences Institute to explore the latest research into the question of why we sleep. (59 minutes)

During the past decade, there have been dramatic advancements in the brain and cognitive sciences. For the first time, understanding how the brain works has become a scientifically achievable goal. In this new lecture series, Grey Matters: Molecules to Mind, San Diego's leading Neuroscientists explore the human brain. The first lecture in this series addresses an issue that has often been absent in these discussions: what role do stem cells play in development of the brain? (59 minutes)

UCSD cognitive scientist Martin Sereno takes you on a captivating exploration of the brain's structure and function as revealed through investigations with new advanced imaging techniques and understandings of evolution. (57 minutes)

Why are humans the only species to have language? Is there something special about our brains? Are there genes that have evolved for language? In this talk, Jeff Elman, UCSD professor of cognitive science and co-director of the Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, discusses some of the exciting new research that helps us understand what it is about human language that is so different from other animals' communication systems, and what about our biology might make language possible. (58 minutes)

This is a lesson dealing with a new subdivision of bioethics called neuroethics. As our knowledge of the brain and nervous system expands, so do the ethical issues that result from this knowledge. This new area of study results from our increasing research in the field of neurobiology. In the first part of this activity, students will discuss the stigma associated with psychological illness. They will then be introduced to Dr. Kay Jamison who discusses some of the ethical implications of bipolar disorder. The class will take part in an activity called a Topical Barometer where they will have to choose a position regarding an ethical decision. In Part 2 of the activity, they will write a position paper after exploring the topic of drug enhancement, another controversial issue in the world of neuroscience. From the original handout text by Caren Gough

The National Center of Excellence in Women's Health and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UC San Francisco present lectures to provide practical, easy ways to be proactive with your health. In this episode, Susan Folkman, Director of The UCSF Osher Center, talks about learning ways to manage and cope with stress. (44 minutes)

This unit discusses the health professionals who deliver healthcare and the training needed to work in these professions. The following professionals are described in this unit: physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, therapists, allied health professionals, paramedics, EMTs, dental professionals, mental health professionals, and social workers.

Applying the latest research to a clinical question is a vital skill for any evidence-based practitioner. These five Health Research Readiness modules introduce you to essential health information resources and equip you with the skills to efficiently find, evaluate, and reference them. Relevant for undergraduates, postgraduates, or anyone wanting to improve their health sciences information skills.
The five modules include:
Module A: Sources of information
Module B: Types of information
Module C: Searching
Module D: Evaluating information
Module E: Referencing

To be able to understand the importance of the environment for our health, we need to know a little about the interdependence between environment and humankind. This unit will look at interactions between plants, animals and the physical and chemical environment, as well as considering ways in which humans have altered, and are altering this environment. These changes have health implications that are not always immediately obvious. Frequently, we initiate changes that are going to have their effects some time in the future, and we will be looking at the legacies that we leave to future generations. We move on to consider our own demise, and ask what exactly it is that we think we will be leaving for those who follow.

This unit describes the process used by a clinician to make a diagnosis and determine a care plan. This includes gathering information from the patient as well as other objective and subjective sources, managing and organizing the information, comparing the information to known states of disease, and developing a care plan for the patient.

This unit provides an overview of healthcare trends including evidence based medicine, quality and practice-care recommendations, comparative effectiveness research, and an overview of healthcare reform initiatives in the US.

This unit describes healthcare delivery sites including outpatient care, hospitals, tertiary care centers, academic medical centers, the VA healthcare system, the military health system, the Indian health service, and non-traditional delivery sites such as school-based, community-based, and employer-based sites. It also specifically examines the structure, function and interrelationship between healthcare settings.