INTEGRATIVE NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

The course is one of the educational activities of the Physics of the Brain curriculum of the Master's Degree Course in Engineering Physics and allows students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and applicative concepts of neurophysiology.

The objective of the course is to provide knowledge of modern condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of approximations and models, collective orders and dynamics, and emerging properties. Models of interaction between different subsystems will be studied, as well as the interaction between light and matter in solids. Finally, Dirac materials and topological systems will be studied.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to describe and calculate the most important models of material physics, and the modern experimental techniques for investigating solid materials.

The course aims to ensure that students acquire:
1) Knowledge and understanding, possessing a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles underlying the different, but fundamental, aspects of neuronal integration at several levels of the central nervous system. These will comprise different aspects, from the integrative processes which are carried on by neuronal membranes to neuronal networks, till to the more actual approaches to study the activity of the living brain.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding, acquiring the theoretical basis for understanding the most basic procedures related to the acquisition of the most sophisticated biological information from a living brain.
3) Making judgment, acquiring a correct vision of the functioning of the nervous system, with particular emphasis on the basic processes of integration, both at cellular and systemic level.
4) Communication skills, getting used to the exhibition, in the classroom, of the concepts requested by the teacher, in a stimulated and interactive teaching environment. Students will always be urged to keep in mind the need for scientifically rigorous exposure and communication with colleagues and the general public. They will be stimulated to express themselves in a correct and essential language.
5) Learning skills. At the end of the course the students will possess knowledge and critical reading abilities to continue their training independently, adapting themselves to new knowledge and technologies in the understanding of the integrative processes acting in the brain.

Knowledge of fundamental cell biology and cell physiology.

The course is organized in different independent modules and two teachers contribute to them with specific competences. The program is aimed at providing wide information on the more actual approaches to study the activity of the living brain and on fundamental aspects of neuronal integration, from the integrative processes which are carried on by neuronal membranes to neuronal networks.
Main topics which will be presented.
Part 1a: Membrane biophysics and cell excitability. Brain waves generation and oscillatory mechanisms. Thalamo-cortical rhythms, spindle waves and delta waves. Role of particular membrane properties, such as voltage dependent ion channels, or synaptic properties. Role of voltage dependent ion channels. Thalamo-cortical rhythm.
Part 1b: Long term plasticity (LTP): from Hebb’s postulate to electrophysiological and behavioral evidence. NMDA receptor- dependent LTP. Spike timing dependent plasticity. Anti-Hebbian LTP. Depolarizing GABA in early development and its implication for synaptic plasticity. Functional implications of hippocampal synaptic plasticity: memory and learning. Plastic changes in the amygdala circuitry. An example of associative learning: the fear conditioning paradigm. Cellular mechanism underlying fear extinction. Zebrafish as alternative model to study synaptic plasticity in whole organism.

Kandel, Principles of Neuronal Science, Mc Graw-Hill
Hille “Ionic channels of excitable membranes” Sinauer ass.editors [second or third edition]. In particular from chapter 1 to 5.
The presentation of the lectures and a collection of papers are provided to the students.

The achievement of the teaching objectives is assessed through participation in activities and exercises assigned during the course and a final written exam.

The final written exam consists of problems similar to those solved in class during group work. During the exam, the use of notes, books, and other educational materials is not allowed. A sample exam will be made available.

Students attending classes can accumulate additional points by participating in quizzes and exercises proposed in class. The bonus will be added to the grade of the written exam.

Lectures and integrative teaching seminars.

English