Developmental Neuroscience Syllabus (NSC-4367)

Instructor: Dr. Michael P. Kilgard

Office: JO 4.304 Office Hours: Thurs 11:00am -noon
Office Phone: (972) 883-2339 E-mail Address: kilgard@utdallas.edu

Meeting time: Tues & Thurs 9:30-10:45 am Meeting place: GR4.301

Graduate TA: Amanda Puckett E-mail Address: apuckett@utdallas.edu
Office: Green 4.604 Office Hours: Tuesdays from 11am-noon (or by appointment)

Assistant TA: Rosemary Wright E-mail: snowkhat@gmail.com

Office: GR 4.604 Office Hours: Thursday 2-3 p.m.

Required Texts: Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed. (Kandel, Schwartz & Jessell)
Principles of Development, 2nd ed. (Lewis Wolpert )
Both should be available at Off-Campus Books (Campbell Rd.) & the UTD bookstore. A paperback version of Wolpert is also
available online for considerably less.

Course Description
This course will cover the major issues of neural development. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular and
cellular events underlying cell differentiation, axon guidance, synapse formation, neurotrophic factors, and neural death will be
discussed. The last third of the course will focus on activity-dependent plasticity and its role in generating and maintaining the
extraordinary precision of connections found in the nervous system. Pathologies arising from failures of these processes will be
discussed.

Course Goals
This course has three primary goals: (1) to introduce students to the major issues of developmental neuroscience; (2) to
familiarize participants with the range of research methods brought to bear on these varied and interrelated investigations; (3) and
to encourage the development of the skills required for meaningful appreciation of the historical context and logical rationale of
experiments presented in primary research articles.
 Schedule:
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS
January 10 Introduction to Developmental Neuroscience
January 12 Regulation of Gene Expression Wolpert Ch1
January 17 Transport and Cell Signaling Wolpert Ch1
January 19 Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan I: Axes and Wolpert Ch2&3
Germ Layers
January 24 Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan II: The Wolpert Ch4
Mesoderm and Early Nervous System
January 26 Development of the Drosophila Body Plan Wolpert Ch5
January 31 Drosophila Body Plan, con’t.
February 2 Morphogenesis: Change in Form in the Early Embryo Wolpert Ch8, Kandell Ch52
February 7 TA review - MPK @ ARO meeting Exam Questions Due
February 9 Review for Exam
February 14 EXAM (25%)
February 16 Specification of Neural Fate Wolpert Ch10-18 through 10-22
Wolpert Ch11-1 through 11-7
Kandell Ch53 (p1041-1052)
February 21 Cell Differentiation Wolpert Ch9
February 23 Axon guidance Wolpert Ch11-8 through 11-12
Kandell Ch54
February 28 Axon guidance, con’t.
March 2 Cell Death and Survival Wolpert Ch11-13 through 11-17
Kandell Ch53 (p1052-1061)
March 7 No class – Spring Break
March 9 No class – Spring Break
March 14 Sexual Differentiation of the Nervous System Wolpert Ch11-13 through 11-17
Kandell Ch53 (p1052-1061)
March 16 Primary research paper - Regulation of Cerebral Exam Questions Due
Cortical Size by Control of Cell Cycle Exit in Neural
Precursors (link)
March 21 EXAM (25%)
March 23 Synapse Formation Kandell Ch55
March 28 Activity -Dependent Synaptic Competition Kandell Ch56
March 30 Plasticity, con’t
April 4 Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity Nature 1998 Sep 3;395(6697):37-44.
(for more information)
April 6 Spike-timing -dependent synaptic modification Nature. 2002 Mar 28;416(6879):433 -8 and
induced by natural spike trains & Reversal and Science. 2003 Jun 20;300(5627):1953-7
stabilization of synaptic modifications in a (Science Paper optional)
developing visual system
April 11 Plasticity and Language Development Kilgard papers optional
April 13 Autism Toward A Developmental Neurobiology
Of Autism Polleux and Lauder 2004
April 18 Catch-up Exam Questions Due
April 20 Review for Final
April 27 FINAL EXAM (40%) 8:00 am -10:30 am
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Describe how multiple mechanism of gene regulation contribute to specific stages of development.
2. Describe the organization of the vertebrate body plan and the key events in its development.
3. Describe the interactions among different gene families that specify the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes of the fruit
fly.
4. Describe how gene regulation leads to structural changes in developing nervous tissue.
5. Describe the molecular mechanisms that control axon guidance to form appropriate neural circuits.
6. Describe the rationale for and the mechanisms that control the decision for many developing neurons to undergo programmed
cell death.
7. Describe the major events of synapse formation and the genes that regulate each.
8. Describe how neural activity is used to refine neural circuits.
9. Describe how the precise timing of action potentials contributes to the visual system development.
10. Describe how genetic mutations contribute to three human disorders of neural development.
11. Read a current paper in developmental neurobiology and understand the goals, basic methods, and conclusions of the study.
As measured by:
Successful completion of exams and participation in class discussion.
Assessment
Exams (90%): There will be two exams (25% each) and a cumulative final exam (40%). Exams will be multiple choice and short
answer. Material for these exams will be taken from readings, class lectures and discussion, so attendance is strongly encouraged. The
format of the exam questions is designed to be challenging and to encourage integrative thought about the material. Points will be
added to each exam such that the second highest score receives 100%.

Questions (15%): Before every exam, each student will be expected to generate 5 complete multiple-choice exam questions including
multiple answers with the correct answer indicated. Questions should be written to evaluate conceptual understanding not
memorization of facts. Up to 5 points will be earned based on the quality of the questions. Poorly worded questions will receive no
credit. Five points is guaranteed if one of your questions is used on an exam. (Note: questions may be somewhat altered.)
Final Grade: A: 105-90, B: 89-80, C: 79-70, Less than 70% is failing.

Missed Exams: Missed exams may be made up only if you: 1) provide a valid excuse, and 2) notify the instructor BEFORE the exam.
Excuses must be accompanied by valid documentation (documentation that you sought medical assistance, a newspaper clipping of the
obituary of your dead relative, or documentation from the police, AAA or an automotive garage that your car broke down). Make-up
exams will have an additional long essay added to verify knowledge of material.

Exam Reviews: Several days prior to each exam, the teaching assistants will hold a review session to review material that will be
included on the exam and answer any questions. Attendance at these reviews is not required and new material will not be presented at
these reviews.

Cell Phones, Pagers, Etc.: Cell phones and pagers have no place in class. Please do not bring them to class or turn them off.

Honor Code A student in this course is considered to be a mature adult whose attitude and conduct are compatible with the ethical
standards of the health professions. All academic work is conducted under an honor code, which states: “I have neither given nor
received aid for this work, nor am I aware of anyone giving or receiving aid for this work.” As standard procedure during exams, place
all coats, books, and other items at the front of the room. If any member of the teaching staff suspects a student of cheating, the student
will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for prosecution.

Any schedule changes will be posted at: www.utdallas.edu/~kilgard/developmentSP06.htm