Neurobiology
Code
7633
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Margarida Casal Ribeiro Castro Caldas Braga
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
66
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide a solid grounding in the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the synaptic transmission.
It is expected that by the end of the course students are able to: i) understand the functional organization of central and peripheral nervous system; ii) characterize structurally and functionally neurons and glial cells; iii) explain the mechanisms involved in an active synapse, and also how we can pharmacologically modulate its activity; iv) identify the pathological cellular mechanisms underlying different neurodegenerative diseases; v) develop basic laboratory skills in the area of cellular and molecular neuroscience.
Finally, it is expected that students will develop skills in searching, understanding, and discussing the scientific literature in this field.
Prerequisites
Strong background on Cell and Molecular Biology.
Subject matter
1. Brief historical perspective on the knowledge of the neural function. Methods for studying the neural function: ACT, MRI,. FMRI, SPECT, PET.
2. Organization of the nervous system: Central and peripheral nervous system.
3. Characterization of neurons and glial cells.
4. Chemical and electric synapses.
5. The electric impulse and the action potential.
6. Definition of neurotransmitter. Classical neurotransmitters (Acetylcholine, excitatory and inhibitory aminoacids, catecholamines, serotonin) and neuropeptides: biossynthesis, metabolism, effects on post-synaptic cell and general physiologic effects.
7. Pharmacological modulation of synapses; potential therapeutic targets.
8. Effect of drugs of abuse and others in specific synapses.
9. Cellular mechanisms of memory formation in Aplysia californica.
10. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheirmer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
11. The bodily senses: tactile information.
Bibliography
D Purves, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Hall WC, LaMantia AS, McNamara JO, Williams SM. Neuroscience. Sinauer Associates Inc Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts USA. 4th Ed.
Siegel GJ, Agranoff BW, Albers RW, Fisher SK, Uhler M. Basic Neurochemistry. Molecular, cellular and medical aspects. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 6th Ed.
Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM (2000) Principles of Neural Science. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0838577016
Squire LR e Kandel ER (2000) Memória. Da mente às moléculas. Porto Editora, Portugal. ISBN: 9720451343
Scientific papers (available in the moodle page)
Teaching method
Lectures will be based on textbook material and selected papers from the current literature.
In addition the students will perform experiments. in order to identify neurons and glial cells in mouse brain section by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, students will evaluate the apoptotic phenotype of neurons. Slides with permanent preparations of neurons, mouse brain coronal sections spinal cord and isolated nerves.
Evaluation method
Students with more than 1/3 absences in problem-solving sessions will be excluded from final exam.
The evaluation will result from 3 components (final grade must be =or > 9,5/20pt):
1) 2 writen tests (60% of final grade) ; minimal grade 6/12 pt
2) weekly written works, performed in pairs, consisting of making a figure and a legend representative of the pratictical session (20% of final grade)
3) writing of a paper''s abstract, as an individual task; the paper will be selected by the teacher (20% of final grade)
Attached please find more information.