Pathogenetic bases of neurological and psychiatric disorders

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
42
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/11 MED/13 MED/25 MED/26
Language
English
Learning objectives
To provide to the students the current knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanism, causes and clinical implication of the principal neurological and psychiatric disorders. To acquire the advances in the biological research in these fields. To understand how these diseases can affect the life expectations and autonomy of affected patients.
Expected learning outcomes
The comprehension of the pathological mechanisms underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders. To understand where the research on the pathogenetic mechanisms has arrived and what are the current field of biological research and what are the perspective in the study of these diseases.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
Molecular biology:
Genetics of neuropsychiatric disorders
Epigenetic mechanisms in neuropsychiatric disorders
Advanced experimental models of neuropsychiatric disorders
Therapeutic inroads for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Endocrinology:
Physiopathology of anterior pituitary and hypothalamic system
Physiopathology of the posterior pituitary gland
Neuroendocrinology of appetite and weight control.
Mental health:
Modern conceptualizaton of mental disorders
Organization of public mental health services
Mental Status Examination
Shared pathogenetic bases of common mental disorders
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Mood Disorders
Anxiety and fear-related disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Eating and feeding disorders
Substance use and new addiction-related disorders
Neurology:
Cerebrovascular diseases
Epilepsy
Infective disorders
Multiple sclerosis
Alzheimer disease and other Dementias
Parkinson's Disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Neuropathy.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the central and peripheral nervous system and of the related endocrinologic system.
Teaching methods
The teaching course is based on frontal seminars covering all the main pathological mechanisms and clinical implications of the principal neurological and psychiatric disease. Students will be provided all the slides of each lecture.
The student is required to attend all the teaching activities, with a tolerance of no more than 25% of the hours. Students are required to sign their attendance at each learning activities. Should the number of absences be higher than 25%, the Teaching Committee will take the necessary measures.
Teaching Resources
Slides provided by the teachers
Kandel et al. Principle of Neurosciences
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will be an oral assessment performed in all the disciplines covered by the course with the exception of Neurogenetics where a written examination will be made. The final vote will result from the weighted average of different examinations with a final score of 0-30 and will take in consideration not only the knowledge of each discipline but also the quality and clarity of the responses
Endocrinology
MED/13 - ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM - University credits: 1
Lessons: 7 hours
Shifts:
Mental health
MED/25 - PSYCHIATRY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 14 hours
Professor: D'Agostino Armando
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: D'Agostino Armando
Molecular biology
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 7 hours
Professor: Testa Giuseppe
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Testa Giuseppe
Neurology
MED/26 - NEUROLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 14 hours