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
Solid 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.
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.
Practical lessons include experiments, and analysis and discussion of the results.