Brain Function: Experiments and Mechanisms

This lecture discusses the key types of experiments needed to understand brain function causally and mechanistically, including correlating neural activity with behavior, manipulating neural activity, and using computational models. It also explores Karl Popper's view on hypothesis falsification, similarities between human and mouse brains, the Cre-LoxP system for genetic manipulation, two-photon microscopy for high-resolution brain imaging, calcium-sensitive fluorophores for measuring brain function, recording signals with extracellular electrodes, membrane potential recording of sparse cell types, channelrhodopsin-2, and optogenetic tools for inhibiting cell populations.