Ateneo - UPO

Embryonic development of the nervous system. Nervous tissue: neurons and glia. Structure and functions Functional anatomy and neurological and behavioral functions of telencephalon, diencephalon, midbrain, metencephalon, and spinal cord. functional anaqtomi and functions of the peripheral nervous system. Motor system and descending motor pathways Higher cognitive functions Memory and learning. Hippocampus and synaptic plasticity. Methods of investigation of the CNS One lesson will cover functional gender differences

- E. R. Kandel et al. Principi di Neuroscienze CEA

- D. Purves et al. Neuroscienze ZANICHELLI

- Luo Principi di neurobiologia ZANICHELLI

The course aims to provide a general overview of the basic structure, function and mechanisms of the Central Nervous System. Students should become familiar with the interactions between the various parts of the nervous system and the ascending and descending pathways. In addition, mechanisms concerning synaptic plasticity as a fundamental means for the growth and development of the nervous system will be analyzed. Pathological conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder as a means of understanding central functions

Good knowledge of Anatomy, Cell Biology and General Physiology is recommended

Teaching will be conducted in the classroom in lectures of two hours each. Power Point slides will be used and made available to students/students. Short films taken from the net will also be used to stimulate classroom conversation, exchange of opinions and stimulate curiosity about a still little-known topic. Critical analysis of clinical cases of impaired CNS function.

Female students and students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) may request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Career Development and Coordination Staff and Student Services and consulting the dedicated page of the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa A lecture will be given illustrating the differences in neural and circuit development in the brains of female and male subjects.

The exam consists of a short thesis written by students using scientific articles and creating a PowerPoint file. The topic, which can be chosen freely, may focus on topics covered in class or on new topics, but must always include some questions related to the program covered in class. The presentation will last approximately 20 minutes. A passing grade requires a well-written thesis that refers to scientific literature. The use of websites as sources, an oral presentation with inappropriate language and poor content are not sufficient to achieve a grade of 18/30. Excellence will depend on the depth of the topic covered, the ability to answer questions, the ability to reason, excellent scientific language and the ability to relate back to topics covered in class on the structure and functions of the central nervous system.

Embryonic development of the CNS: default theory, rostro-caudal and dorso-ventral specialization factors Cell biology of the neuron. structure of nerve tissue, physiological properties of neurons and their classification, relations with glia. Functions of macro- and microglia CNS: protective structures and ventricular system. White matter and gray matter. Cortical layers. Commissural structures (corpus callosum, anterior commissure). Division into lobes. Prefrontal lobe and the Phineas Gage case. Frontal lobe and mototrial and linguistic activity. Parietal lobe: higher order cortical areas and integration of information Temporal lobe: auditory, visual functions, written and read language comprehension. Medial areas involved in behavior, memory, and emotionality Occipital lobe: visual input transduction function Midbrain: signal retransmission role and involvement in limbic system Bridge and bulb: autonomic and vegetative functions. Top-down and bottom-up retransmission pathway Spinal cord and Rexed lamination Higher cognitive mechanisms: planning, working memory, behavior, emotionality, visual-spatial and motor coordination, language Limbic system: structural componenes and functions in emotionality and addiction. Social brain Synaptic plasticity as a physiological basis of higher processes, ma n also of neurological and psychiatric disorders

Each female and male student is expected to acquire: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Female and male students will learn about and understand the function of the structures of the central nervous system and the main higher cognitive functions, learning to express themselves using appropriate scientific terminology. ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Female and male students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in all disciplines that require knowledge of neural and circuit mechanisms. This knowledge will facilitate the performance of diagnostic and research laboratory activities. AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT: Female and male students will acquire the ability to independently and critically analyze elements related to the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal processes. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Female and male students will acquire the ability to disseminate the knowledge they have acquired using specific and appropriate vocabulary in order to be able to communicate professionally and competently in academic and later professional contexts. In addition, they will acquire the ability to convey the knowledge they have acquired in a clear and understandable way to a general audience. LEARNING SKILLS: Female and male students will acquire the ability to use the teaching materials provided for a critical and reasoned study of the topics covered and will also be able to independently explore and update their knowledge of issues related to all the topics covered during the course by reading scientific texts and articles.