Five divisions of Neuroscience

Here we will follow the lead of the Society for Neuroscience which
identifies the following five branches: Neuroanatomy, Developmental Neuroscience,
Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Neurology.

Of these, neuroanatomy concerns itself mainly with the issue of structures and parts of the nervous
system. In this discipline, the scientists employ special dyeing techniques in identifying
neurotransmitters and in understanding the specific functions of the nerves and nerve
centers. Neurotransmitters are chemicals released between neurons for transmission of
signals. When a neuron communicates with its neighboring cells, it releases
neurotransmitters and its neighbors receive them.

In developmental neuroscience, the scientists look into the phases and processes of development of nervous system, the changes they undergo after they have matured, and their eventual degeneration. In this regard, the scientists also investigate the ways neurons go about seeking connection with
other neurons, how they establish the connection, and how they maintain the connection
and what chemical changes and processes they have to undergo for these activities.
Neurons make connections to form networks, and the different patterns of connectivity
support different functions. Patterns of connectivity can change over different time
scales, such as developmental changes over a lifetime from infancy to old age, but also in
the short term such as learning a new concept. Neuroplasticity is the term that describes
how the brain the capacity of the brain to change in response to stimulation or even
damage: it is not a static organ, but is highly adaptable. In cognitive neuroscience, they
study the functions of behaviors, perceptions, and memories, etc. By making use of non-
invasive methods such as the PTE and MRI technologies that allow us to take detailed
pictures of the brain without opening the skull, they look into the neural pathways activated during engagement in language, solutions, and other activities.

Cognitive neuroscience studies the mind-body relationship by discovering the neural correlates to
mental and behavioral phenomena.

Behavioral neuroscience looks into the underpinning processes of human and animal behaviors. Using electrodes, they measure the neural electrical activities occurring alongside our actions such as visual perception, language use, and generating memories. Through fMRI scan techniques, another technology that allows us to take detailed motion pictures of brain activity over time without opening the
skull, they strive to arrive at closer understanding of the brain parts in real time.

Finally, neurology makes use of the fundamental research findings of the other disciplines in
understanding the neural and neuronal disorders and strives to explore new innovative
ways of detecting, preventing, and treating these disorders.