PSBA010 Introduction to Neuroscience

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Nikolai, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Pavel Ressner, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Ľubomíra Nováková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Luboš Brabenec, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Zuzana Hummelová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Nikolai, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Šefčíková
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Tuesday 12:00–15:40 N51
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The course provides an overview of the neural mechanisms associated with  selected aspects of behavioral, cognitive, and affective functions. The course includes a brief introduction (to the extent necessary to understand the phenomena discussed) to neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and cellular mechanisms of neuronal transmission. This course aims to relate selected elements of behavior to the neuronal mechanisms that underlie them. The course aims to introduce the neuronal mechanisms that underlie aspects of behavior, cognition, and affective function. Phylogenetic aspects and animal models will also be presented, and the focus of the presentation is human neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge acquired: the student understands (has insight into) the basic neural mechanisms influencing behaviour, cognition and emotions.
Skills acquired: the student is able to critically interpret the literature in this area, and is aware of the possibilities and limitations of the neurophysiological approach.
Key topics
  • Course content:
  • Mechanism of signal transmission in the nervous system
  • Basics of functional neuroanatomy and phylogeny of the nervous system
  • Neuronal mechanisms of spatial cognition
  • Neurobiology of social cognition
  • Cognitive functions and their neuroanatomical connections
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms
  • Basics of imaging methods in neuroscience
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • Strauss, E., Sherman, E.M.S. & Spreen, O. (2006). Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, Commentary. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Nicholls, J. G. (ed). (2012). Od neuronu k mozku. Praha: Akademia.
  • Uhrová, T, Roth J. (2020): Neuropsychiatrie. Maxdorf, Praha.
  • Lezak M, Howieson DB, Bigler ED, Tranel D. (2012). Neuropsychological Assessment. 5th ed. New York, NY: Oxford.
    recommended literature
  • Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2015). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology (7th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers
  • Höschl, C., Libiger, J., & Švestka, J. (Eds.) (2002). Psychiatrie. Praha: Tigis.
  • Felten, D.L., & Józefowicz, R.F. (2003). Netter's Atlas of Human Neuroscience. MediMedia USA.
  • Blumenfeld, H. (2010). Neuroanatomy through clinical cases (2nd ed.). Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates.
  • Kandel, E.R., Schwartz, J.H., & Jessell, T.M. (2000). Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Groth-Marnat, G. (Ed.) Neuropsychological assessment in clinical practice: a guide to test interpretation and integration. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000.
  • Carew, T.J., (2000). Behavioral Neurobiology. Sinauer Associates Inc publishers.
  • Snyder, P.J., & Nussbaum, P.D. (2003). Clinical Neuropsychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lecture, seminar.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Written exam (test)
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
Spring semester 2026:
1) Introduction to the course, Basic functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, neuron structure, synapses, signal transduction, neurotransmitters, Brain and CNS development. Lateralization and localization of functions (Nikolai + Ressner) Tue 17.2.2026 12:00 - 15:40
2) Motor system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, motor cortex, somatosensory system, perception, sleep, wakefulness and consciousness (Ressner) 3.3.2026 12:00 - 3:40 pm
3) Temporal lobes, memory, speech and language (Nováková + Brabenec) Tue 17.3.2026 12:00 - 15:40
4) Frontal lobe, executive functions, attention, limbic system, emotions, motivation (Hummelová) Tue 31.3.2026 12:00 - 15:40
5) Parietal and occipital lobe, visual-spatial abilities, attention and visual perception, Functional and neuropsychiatric disorders (Nikolai) Tue 14.4.2026 12:00 - 3:40 pm
6) Neurodegeneration, aging processes, neurocognitive disorders, prototypical brain diseases (Nováková + Brabenec) Tue 28.4.2026 12:00 - 15:40
7) Neuroimaging methods, diagnostics, rehabilitation (Nováková + Brabenec + Hummelová) Tue 12.5.2026 12:00 - 15:40
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2027.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2026/PSBA010