06551 - Neurophysiology

Learning outcomes

The course will survey the neurophysiological bases of brain functions; in particular the anatomical and functional bases of behaviour will be discussed.

Our behaviours are produced by changes in neuronal activity, which we can evaluate as biochemical, molecular or neurotransmitter changes. The activation of specific neuron populations produces specific behaviours; this is true not only for very simple behaviours (such as motor activity), but also for cognitive functions, that we consider peculiar to human beings. In order to facilitate the comprehension of neuronal bases of cerebral functions, first of all general notions of neurobiology will be described, including membrane cell physiology and synaptic communication. Then the organization of sensitive and motor systems will be illustrated, and finally we will study systems controlling visceral functions, homeostasis and instinctive behaviours

Course contents

Introduction to Neuroscience

Neurons and Glia

Genes and Behaviour

Functional Anatomy of the Nervous System

The Neuronal Membrane at Rest

The Action Potential

Synaptic Transmission

Neurotransmitter Systems

The Eye

The Central Visual System

The Auditory System

The Somatic Sensory System

Spinal Control of Movement

Brain Control of Movement

Chemical Control of Brain and Behaviour

he course will take place during the second semester (from February to May 2017) at the Cesena Campus of the School of Psychology and Education (address: p.zza A. Moro, 90).

Readings/Bibliography

The Mind's Machine: Foundations of Brain and Behaviour by Watson NV, Breedlove SM, Sinauer Associates, 2012

OR

Neuroscience by Dale Purves [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Dale%20Purves&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank] , George J. Augustine [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=George%20J.%20Augustine&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank] , David Fitzpatrick [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_3?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=David%20Fitzpatrick&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank] , William C. Hall [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_4?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=William%20C.%20Hall&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank] , Anthony-Samuel LaMantia [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_5?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Anthony-Samuel%20LaMantia&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank], Leonard E. White [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_6?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Leonard%20E.%20White&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank] . Sinauer Asociates, 5th edition

OR

Neuroscience: exploring the brain, by Mark F. Bear , Barry W. Connors , Michael A. Paradiso, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2nd edition

OR

Principles of Neural Science, by E Kandel, JH Schwartz, TM Jessell, McGraw-Hill Companies, 5th edition

Teaching methods

The course is based on lectures. However, students are expected to take an active role in discussion.

Assessment methods

The exam is aimed to verify the acquisition by the students of knowledge related to the topics presented in class.

The exam consists of a written test with 5 open-response questions to be answered in 1 hour. During the test is not allowed the use of support materials such as textbooks, notes, computer media.

During the course are 2 partial tests that will take place in the middle and at the end of the lessons, accessible to students even not attending the course. The exact days will be announced in class, or may be obtained from the teacher after the start of the course. The first partial test consists of 15 questions, the second partial test consists of 15 questions. In the event that the students decide to take the exam by participating in the partial tests, it is possible to participate to the 2nd partial test only to those who participated to the 1st. The final evaluation consists of the arithmetic sum of the valuations obtained in the two partial tests. To participate to the two partial tests is not necessary to register before.

Teaching tools

Slides (PowerPoint) and reading material for this course will be made available on website:

http://campus.unibo.it/

Links to further information

http://servizi.psice.unibo.it/docenti/index.asp?pagina=scheda_docente_info.asp&IDdocente=92

Office hours

See the website of  Rosa Domeniconi [https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/giovanna.zoccoli/en]

Office hours

See the website of Rosa Domeniconi