PBIO-547 Molecular Neurophysiology

(Fall, even years - 2 credits) Vicini

This is a two credit advanced course in neurophysiology that deals with the molecular aspects of neuronal activity. Nerve cell membrane channel proteins responsible for the brain electrical activity, will be analyzed in terms of their function, regulation, molecular structure and genetic control. The course will include a detailed description of voltage- and ligand- gated ion channels. Voltage-gated channels are responsible of the intrinsic properties of neuronal action potential firing and target of all the major neuromodulatory systems (dopaminergic, cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotoninergic) related to the control of mood, depression etc. Ligand-gated channels instead underlie synaptic transmission related to motor control, sensorial processing, learning and memory and behavioral states such as anxiety. This course has no prerequisites and is for graduate as well as medical students

The following topics are covered:

Molecular biology and electrophysiology of ion channels
Na+ channel, K+ channels, Ca2+ channels & 2nd messengers modulation
Acetylcholine receptors
Synaptic Transmission
Developmental control of channel subunits and their genes.
GABA receptors
Glutamate receptors
Central inhibitory and excitatory synapses
Long Term Potentiation