AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to give an overview of molecular mechanisms that regulate functions in the nervous system with special emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate neurotransmission. In  particular students receive a detailed information on the generation and propagation of the electrical signal in single neurons up to the complexity of the firing of neurons in network. Mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity, fundamental for higher function such as learning and memory, will be analyzed in details. Moreover thank to the laboratory-activity, the students will learn basic skills in vitro electrophysiology (extra- and intracellular recordings, patch-clamp) and functional imaging techniques. Different recording modes and their advantages and disadvantages will be dealt with. By the end of the course the students should be able to understand the possibilities and the limitations of the different in vitro experimental approaches in neuroscience research and to design experiments in which the techniques are applied in a relevant manner to deal with up to date neurophysiology questions.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons and laboratory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Front lessons: basic organization and cell types in the nervous system; Blood Brain Barrier: Synthesis anf trafficking of proteins in neurons: Axonal Transport; Generation and maintenance of cells in the CNS; Neurotrophic factors and their receptors; synapse formation, maintenance and function;  electrical signaling generation and propagation in neurons; ion channels and transporters; Synaptic transmission and integration od synaptic signaling; Neurotransmitters and their receptors; plasticity in the nervous system; SYanptic Plasticity; Neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation; Patterning of the nervous system; Learning and Memory:: Epileptogenesis.

Laboratories. Biophysical model for neurons and neuronal network –Extracellular and Intracellular recordings –Patch-Clamp: Voltage-Clamp and Current-Clamp measures – Sinbglke channel recordings – Fluorescent imaging for Calcium signal, exo-endocytosis, valtage sensitive dyes, Capacitance and amperometric measures.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Fondamenti di Neuroscienze, Kandel, CEA;
• Neuroscienze, Purves, Zanichelli
• Neuroscienze Zigmond, EDISES

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIETRO BALDELLI (President)

ANNA FASSIO (President)

PIERLUIGI VALENTE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

March 1, 2017.

Class schedule

NEUROBIOLOGY AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Interview with the three teachers of the course in which currency is the student's ability to report on neuroscience topics covered in class. the ability of the student is also assessed to perform a critical analysis of a scientific publication given by the teacher (15 days before the appeal), relating to: methodologies / techniques used and results obtained.

Exam schedule