NEUROSCIENCE
cod. 1002316

Academic year 2020/21
1° year of course - Second semester
Professor responsible for the course unit
FOGASSI Leonardo
integrated course unit
10 credits
hub: UNIMORE
course unit
in ITALIAN

Course unit structured in the following modules:

Learning objectives

To achieve the knowledge on the anatomical organization and the fundamental neurophysiological mechanisms of brain integrative functions

Prerequisites

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Course unit content

Neuron general physiology and synaptci transmission. Embriology of the nervous system. Anatomy of spinal cord and encephalon. Basic functioning of motor control and some sensory sistems. Autonomic nervous sytem and hypothalamus

Full programme

General anatomy of the nervous system; Embriology of the nervous system and differentiation of the cerebral structures; Techniques for the study of the nervous system; Cytological features of neurons and glia; Hints on electrochemical properties; Biological membrane and channels; General physiology of the neuron (rest potential, action potential; electrotonic currents); Synaptic transmission (neuromuscular junction; central synapses; ionotropic and metabotropic receptors); Types of neurotransmitters; Anatomy of the spinal cord; Reflexes (electrophysiology and behavioral description; stretch and flexor reflex); Structure and basic functions of brainstem (cranial nerves; reticular formation, brain stem main nuclei; ascending and descending pathways); Vestibular system; Posture control; Psychophysics of perception; Somatosensory receptors and ascending pathways; Thalamus; General organization of cerebral cortex; Cortical somatosensory system (including primary somatosensory cortex and high order somatic cortical areas); Acoustic system from cochlea to auditory cortex; Anatomy and physiology of the visual system (retina, visual pathways, primary visual area and hints on high order visual areas); Anatomy and physiology of cerebellum and basal ganglia; Cortical motor system and hints on sensory-motor transformations; Autonomic nervous system; Anatomy and physiology of hypothalamus and limbic system

Bibliography

Fondamenti anatomo-fisiologici dell'attività psichica. A cura di A. MaravitaEd. Poletto

Teaching methods

Lectures will be in blended fashion, consisting of lectures in presence and streaming, and videorecording uploaded on the course electronic site. In the case of persistency of Covid emergency, lectures will be held only on-line or as videorecordings

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examinations.If needed due to a persistency of Covid emergency, they will be carried out orally in on-line modality

Other information

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