Morphological and Molecular Basis of the Central Nervous System and Its Pathologies
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide an understanding of aspects related to the two main integrative systems of the body, the nervous and endocrine systems. Anatomy, function and hormonal regulation of Central and Peripheral Nervous System is covered with developmental anatomy added when applicable. The course provides general information related to neuroanatomy and its applications to environmental sustainability. The course will also provide information about pathogenesis of the most important neurological diseases, and on the animal models that are used for their study and comprehension. During the practical lesson, the students will be informed about the available strategies to be applied in the microscopy laboratory to limit environmental impact.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the Course the student acquires:
Knowledge and understanding of the nervous and of the endocrine systems, with specific reference to their anatomy, function and interactions/regulations as well as to their alterations due to pathological conditions, environmental pollution, and chemical neurotoxicity.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in critically read the literature and textbooks and use an improved communication skill with scientific terminology.
Knowledge and understanding of the nervous and of the endocrine systems, with specific reference to their anatomy, function and interactions/regulations as well as to their alterations due to pathological conditions, environmental pollution, and chemical neurotoxicity.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in critically read the literature and textbooks and use an improved communication skill with scientific terminology.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is structured in two series of lectures/practices:
A - Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
B - Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathologies
A-Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
Lectures (24 hours):
CNS organization, Neurons, Ganglia and Nerves (2 hours)
Internal capsule and ventricles & Willis circulatory system (1 hour)
CNS: Brain and cortical areas, pons, midbrain, diencephalon, basal ganglia, cerebellum (3 hours)
Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators of the SNC, Spinal cord (1 hour)
Ascending pathways, somatosensory systems. Descending pathways, motor systems (2 hour)
Development of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. (1 hour)
Neurogenic areas in the brain (1 hour)
Gene regulation of neurogenesis, differentiation of neural progenitors. (1 hour)
The neurogenic niche. Engrafting and homing of neural progenitorsi. Neuro-phenotype-related experiments using knock -out mice (2 hours)
Sympathetic System (1 hour)
Paraympathetic System (1 hour)
Enteric (1 hour)
Neuroendocrine: Hypotalamus, Pituitary and Pineal glands (2 hours)
Action Potentials and nervous transmission. Myelinization and salutatory transmission (2 hours)
Synapsis. Neuro-muscular junctions. Eccitatoty and inhibitory Neurotransmitters, Reuptake (3 hours)
Practical training (12 hours):
Microscopy session on Neurons, Ganglia and Nerves (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Neural tissue sections (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Spinal cord (C3;T2,L4) (2 hours)
Confocal images of Pituitary and Pineal glands (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Sciatic Nerve (2 hours)
Gap junctions and Synapsis (2 hours)
Data acquisition and analysis from confocal images (2 hours)
Data acquisition and analysis from MRI images (2 hours)
B - Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathologies
Lectures (12 hours):
Aging (2 hours)
Inflammation and structure of CNS (2 hours)
Multiple sclerosis (2 hours)
Conformational diseases (TSE, Alzheimer, Parkinson) (8 hours)
Practices (12 hours):
Neuropathology in animal models (2 hours)
Purification of blood monocytes as microglia models (2 hours)
Seminars on microbiome, exososmes, ageing in livestock (Erasmus class; 8 hours)
A - Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
B - Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathologies
A-Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
Lectures (24 hours):
CNS organization, Neurons, Ganglia and Nerves (2 hours)
Internal capsule and ventricles & Willis circulatory system (1 hour)
CNS: Brain and cortical areas, pons, midbrain, diencephalon, basal ganglia, cerebellum (3 hours)
Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators of the SNC, Spinal cord (1 hour)
Ascending pathways, somatosensory systems. Descending pathways, motor systems (2 hour)
Development of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. (1 hour)
Neurogenic areas in the brain (1 hour)
Gene regulation of neurogenesis, differentiation of neural progenitors. (1 hour)
The neurogenic niche. Engrafting and homing of neural progenitorsi. Neuro-phenotype-related experiments using knock -out mice (2 hours)
Sympathetic System (1 hour)
Paraympathetic System (1 hour)
Enteric (1 hour)
Neuroendocrine: Hypotalamus, Pituitary and Pineal glands (2 hours)
Action Potentials and nervous transmission. Myelinization and salutatory transmission (2 hours)
Synapsis. Neuro-muscular junctions. Eccitatoty and inhibitory Neurotransmitters, Reuptake (3 hours)
Practical training (12 hours):
Microscopy session on Neurons, Ganglia and Nerves (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Neural tissue sections (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Spinal cord (C3;T2,L4) (2 hours)
Confocal images of Pituitary and Pineal glands (2 hours)
Microscopy session on Sciatic Nerve (2 hours)
Gap junctions and Synapsis (2 hours)
Data acquisition and analysis from confocal images (2 hours)
Data acquisition and analysis from MRI images (2 hours)
B - Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathologies
Lectures (12 hours):
Aging (2 hours)
Inflammation and structure of CNS (2 hours)
Multiple sclerosis (2 hours)
Conformational diseases (TSE, Alzheimer, Parkinson) (8 hours)
Practices (12 hours):
Neuropathology in animal models (2 hours)
Purification of blood monocytes as microglia models (2 hours)
Seminars on microbiome, exososmes, ageing in livestock (Erasmus class; 8 hours)
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of histology, anatomy and pathology
Teaching methods
Lectures and practices. Lectures are available via ARIEL learning platform and updated every year.
Teaching Resources
Handouts
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam on all the topics covered during lessons and practices.
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Multiple Choice Questions
A- Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
16 MCQ- 2 points per Question answered correctly
B- Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathology
Students have the option to take two intermediate tests (30 MCQ) or one test (60 MCQ). In either case, the score will be 0.5 points per question answered correctly.
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Multiple Choice Questions
A- Morphological and molecular basis of the central nervous system
16 MCQ- 2 points per Question answered correctly
B- Molecular basis of the central nervous system pathology
Students have the option to take two intermediate tests (30 MCQ) or one test (60 MCQ). In either case, the score will be 0.5 points per question answered correctly.
VET/01 - VETERINARY ANATOMY - University credits: 5
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
VET/03 - VETERINARY PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
After scheduling via mail
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences- Room 172