Introductory Chapter: Neuroscience *Wants* Behavior

*Sara Palermo and Rosalba Morese*

## **1. Introduction**

What do we mean by "behavioral neuroscience"? This is the branch of neuroscience developed from Wilhelm Wundt's and William James's physiological psychology and addressed to the study of the "the neural and biological bases of behavior, including effects of lesions and electrical stimulation, recording of electrical activity, genetic factors, hormonal influences, neurotransmitter and chemical factors, neuroanatomical substrates, effects of drugs, developmental processes, and environmental factors" [1].

Historically, neuroscience is born with the identification of the *neuron* as an autonomous and functionally independent cellular unit of the nervous system. The studies carried out to define the properties of the neuron have benefited from the progress made in various disciplines, in particular using methods to measure ionic and molecular displacements at the subcellular level and—thanks to the original psychopharmacology, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches—the progress made in the knowledge of integrated systems at the base of the behavioral variations of the individual [2]. In the beginning, neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and GABA have been discovered, and the structural aspects of membrane receptors for different molecules with neurotransmitter functions have been analyzed. Subsequently and of particular interest was the identification of endorphins and their receptors on nerve cells [2]. With the identification and study of endorphins, a new approach to the analysis of substances that perform a modulating function on the genesis and transmission of nerve impulses has been developed. As part of the research on cellular differentiation by chemical substances, molecules have been identified that play a fundamental role on the growth and tropism of the nerve cell [2]. The prototype of these substances is the nerve growth factor isolated in the early 1950s by the Italian neuroscientist Levi-Montalcini [3].

In short, neuroscience initially contributed to defining the functioning of the neuron and the role of neurotransmitters, of neuromodulating molecules, and of those with trophic action.

In parallel, the biomedical approach has allowed the use of various investigation techniques to explore the anatomic-functional structure of the nervous system as an integrated unit, both in normal and pathological conditions. In this sense, the progress made in neuroradiology and neuroimaging must be seen. The neuroscience approach has therefore extended to the description of molecules able to control the genesis of some brain proteins (the so-called genetic engineering) [2]. In particular, molecular biology has allowed us to study amino acid sequences of peptides that seem to play a physiological or pathological role, in relation to the different conditions of isolation and characterization [2].

#### *Behavioral Neuroscience*

To date, behavioral neuroscience also includes psychoneuropharmacology studies, which have analyzed the complex interactions between substrates of the central nervous system, the distribution of various molecules, and the state of brain functioning [2]. The result is practical acquisitions, which are extremely important in the synthesis of psychotropic drugs widely used in the therapy of neurotic and psychotic states.

Behavioral neuroscience concerns not only with the biological bases of behavior. It concerns with the more complex phenomena of the mind and brain.
