S. D. V. Stephens

notes / Basic Neuroscience and Geometry of Neuroscience / chapter 1: Neurons and Signalling / From my notebook

N3 Neuroscientists and Research Practice

The “Neuroscientist”

Neuroscience is a massive category, and the various research conducted can be split up into subprofessions.

Clinical neuroscientists

Clinical neuroscientists are people who usually hold at least an M.D., if not a Ph.D. as well, who follow in the tradition of Paul Broca. They use patients and case studies of people who have damaged parts of the brain in order to determine function. The primary intent of these clinical researchers, however, is to “cure” or alleviate the patient. The main specialties within clinical neuroscience research are as follows:

  • Neurologist: usually an M.D. who treats diseases of the NS (nervous system).
  • Psychiatrist: M.D. or Ph.D./M.D. professionals who treat mood and psychological disorders.
  • Neurosurgeon: usually an M.D. who performs surgery on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
  • Neuropathologist: an M.D. or Ph.D./M.D. who is trained to study tissue affected by disease.

Experimental neuroscientists

Experimental neuroscientists conduct the bulk of modern, field-advancing research. This is an incredibly interdisciplinary field of study. Mostly made up of Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. holders, they conduct a variety of experiments in order to determine any number of things related to the nervous system. The major types of experimental neuroscientists are as follows:

  • Developmental neurobiologist: analyzes the development and maturation of the brain.
  • Molecular neurobiologist: uses the genetic material of neurons to understand the structure and function of molecules of the brain.
  • Neuroanatomist: studies the structure of the NS.
  • Neurochemist: studies the chemistry of the NS.
  • Neuroethologist: studies the neurological basis for species-specific animal behavior in nature.
  • Neuropharmacologist: studies the effects of various drugs on the NS.
  • Neurophysiologist: measures (studies?) the electrical activity of the NS.
  • Psychobiologist: studies the biology of behavior.
  • Psychophysicist: quantitatively measures perceptual activities.

Theoretical neuroscientists

Theoretical neuroscientists are researchers who use mathematical and computational tools to understand the brain at ALL levels of analysis. This is a brand-new field, and it follows the tradition of physics’ experimental and theoretical dynamic.

The Scientific Process

You should already know it, but: observation, replication, interpretation, and verification.

Animals in Neuroscience Research

  • Often sacrificed for science.
  • A small number compared to the animals used for food.
  • Ranges from snails to monkeys. The general rule is that the more fundamental or universal the neuro subject of study, the more distantly related the animal can be.
  • Half are rodents bred for scientific research.

The Moral and Ethical Responsibility of Neuroscientists

  1. Animals should only be used if it furthers the field.
  2. All necessary steps are made to minimize the pain and distress of the subjects.
  3. All possible alternatives are first considered.

Research proposals involving animals must pass a review by the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee).