NEUROCHEMISTRY

The course is part of the related-integrative training activities of the master's degree course in Brain physics
The specific training objective of the course is to provide fundamental knowledge on chemical and biochemical processes in brain starting from the structural characteristics of the brain, and continuing in the chemistry of signal transmission up to the description of the relevant biochemical processes also in relation to neurodegenerative processes

1. Knowledge and understanding
a. Knowledge about the morphology of brain
b. Knowledge about the fundamental chemistry of neurotransmission.
c. Knowledge about the main biochemical pathways in brain.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.
a. Ability to use the chemical and biochemical concepts learned in a logical and deductive way.
b. Ability to carry out the critical processing of data in the scientific literature to be made explicit by writing a final scientific report that is consistent in identifying the problem, analyzing the approaches developed and in the final conclusions.
3. Communication skills
a. Ability to communicate the knowledge learned and the result of its application using appropriate terminology, both orally and written.
b. Ability to interact with the teacher and classmates in a respectful and constructive way, especially during team work.
4. Learning skills
a. Ability to take notes, selecting and collecting information according to the specific importance and priority.
b. Ability to be sufficiently independent in the collection of bibliographic data

Notions required: Basic general chemistry and basic biology

1. Introduction to the course Lecture 1
2. Structure of the Nervous system Lecture 2
2.1. CNS
2.2. PNS
2.3. Brain anatomy
3. CellularneurochemistryLecture3 3.1. Neurons,
3.2. glial cells
3.3. cellular diversity and neural circuits
4. Electrical signals of Nerve cells Lecture 4
4.1. Long distance transmission of electrical signals 4.2. How ion movements produce electrical signals 4.3. Membrane potentials

4.4. Electrochemical equilibrium
5. Action potential Lecture 5
5.1. Voltage clamp
5.2. Reconstruction of action potential 5.3. Long distance signaling
5.4. Myelination and saltatory conduction
6. Membrane transport Lecture 6 6.1. Composition of cell membrane 6.2. Membrane permeability
6.3. Membrane proteins
6.4. Facilitated transport
6.5. ATPases
6.6. Na/K ATPase
6.7. Cotransport: symporters and antiporters
7. Ion channels and transporters Lecture 7 7.1. Patch clamp
7.2. Voltage gated ion channels
7.3. Ligand gated ion channels
7.4. Thermosensitive and mechanosensitive channels
7.5. Active transporters
8. Synaptic transmission Lecture 8-9
8.1. Electrical synapses
8.2. Chemical Synapses
8.3. Properties of Neurotransmitters
8.4. Quantal release of neurotransmitters
8.5. Release of transmitters fron synaptic vescicles 8.6. Local recycling of synaptic vescicles
8.7. Role of Calcium in Transmitter secretion
8.8. Molecular mechanisms of synaptic vescicle cycling 8.9. Postsynaptic membrane permeability changes
8.10. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
8.11. Summation of synaptic potentials
9. Biochemistry of the main neurotransmitters and their receptors. Lecture 10-11
9.1. Metabolism, transport and interactions of acetylcholine;
9.2. Metabolism, transport and interactions of glutamate
9.3. Metabolism, transport and interactions of GABA and glycine;
9.4. Biochemistry of purinergic signaling
9.5. Metabolism, transport and interactions of biogenic amines;
9.6. Metabolism, transport and interactions of neuropeptide transmitters
9.7. Unconventional neurotransmitters
9.8. The role of neurotransmitter - peptides interactions and their relevance in selected
diseases
10.Molecular signaling. Lecture 12-13
10.1. Strategies of molecular signaling
10.2. Activation of signaling pathways
10.3. Receptor types
10.4. G-proteins and their molecular targets
10.5. Second messengers
10.6. Protein phosphorylation
10.7. Protein kinases
10.8. Protein phosphatases

10.9. Nuclear signaling
10.10. Examples of neuronal signal transduction
11.Synaptic plasticity. Lecture 14-15
11.1. Short term synaptic plasticity
11.2. Long term synaptic plasticity in Aplysia
11.3. Long term potentiation of a hippocampal synapse
11.4. Mechanism of long term potentiation
11.5. Mechanism of long term depression

PURVES et al. Neuroscience,Oxford University press 2018

LODISH et al., MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY, 8th edition, W.H. Freeman & C. publishers, 2016;
BRADY et al., BASIC NEUROCHEMISTRY, 8th edition, Academic Press, 2012.

The expected method of verification of learning is divided into two tests: written test (70%) and scientific presentation to the class (30%) . The written test is divided into a series of questions (5-10) on various aspects of the program reported in the "Contents" section: the student must thus demonstrate both the learning of the topics covered in class, the ability to present them in a formal way and to be able to develop logical links between the various sections of the program. The test lasts 90 minutes. The scientific report will concern the team activity assigned by the teacher which will consist in carrying out a bibliographic research regarding a relevant topic in the brain chemistry/biochemistry, the description of the general problem, the possible sustainable approaches and the validity of the possible solutions reported in the scientific literature and in its presentation in the form of an oral lecture to the class.

The grading scale (method by which grades will be assigned) will be defined as follows:
A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded when there is evidence of:
Sufficient knowledge and applied comprehension regarding the course material;
Limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, with some autonomous judgment;
Adequate communication skills, especially in the use of specific language relevant to neurochemistry.
B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded when there is evidence of:
Fair knowledge and applied comprehension regarding the course material;
Fair ability to collect and/or interpret data, with autonomous judgment;
Fair communication skills, especially in the use of specific language relevant to neurochemistry.
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded when there is evidence of:
Good or excellent knowledge and applied comprehension regarding the course material;
Good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data, with autonomous judgment;
Fully appropriate communication skills, especially in the use of specific language relevant to neurochemistry.
D. Honors will be awarded in cases of outstanding knowledge and applied comprehension regarding the course material, excellent judgment skills, and excellent communication abilities.

The teaching is organized in:
• frontal teaching;
• transversal learning. Students, divided into groups of 4-5 people, will elaborate a topic selected by the teacher on the basis of bibliographical references and present it to the class.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and Support Services for students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities: Ca 'Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with disabilities. specific learning disabilities. In the case of motor, visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and support is needed (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or individualized exams, accessible format material, notes recovery, specialist tutoring in support of the study, interpreters or other), contact the Disability and DSA office disita@unive.it.

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