SHUA11015U Neuronal Signaling
To give students an understanding of the function and complexity of normal and pathological signaling in the nervous system, and an overview of the main methods used to analyse neuronal function at different levels of organization.
At the end of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate understanding of:
The morphology and functions of neurons and glia cells.
- The techniques for mapping neuronal connections and networks
- Neuronal transcriptional and translation activity, and axonal transport of proteins
- Demonstration of mRNA and proteins in neurons and glia cells.
The passive and active electrical properties of neurons
- The origin of the resting membrane potential
- The molecular and electrical basis for the action potential
The properties of synaptic transmission and plasticity
- Transmission at the chemical and electrical synapse.
- The basis for excitation and inhibition, and their interaction.
- Short-term synaptic plasticity: facilitation and depression
- Long-term changes in synaptic strenght and implications for learning.
The use of animal models to study normal and pathological neuronal signaling
- Small genetic model systems
- Mammalian genetic models
- Models based on other principles (e.g. lesioning of specific brain areas)
- Possibilities and limitations in modeling human neurological and psychiatric disease
Layout and Function of the monoaminergic systems
- Anatomy of the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems
- What does dopamine signal: hedonia, learning, and incentive salience?
- Molecular composition of dopaminergic signalling
- Drugs of abuse: mechanisms of action
- Serotonine and motor control, mood disorders etc.
The physiology of micro-, mesoscale-circuits and systems
- Principles of sensory processing and motor control.
- Circuit design by synaptic properties, intrinsic neuronal membrane properties and connections, examplified by, e.g., CPGs and cortical circuits.
- methods for behavioral and physiological analysis of small circuits and brains, e.g. optical recordings, optogenetics, EEG, connectomics, genetics.
- Physiological analysis of integrated behavior such as: active sensing; motor planning and execution; navigation; ensemble behavior of neurons, neuronal synchronization and rhythmicity.
- The higher cortical functions
- Techniques for assessing higher cognitive processes
- Principles of macro-structural cortical organization with an emphasis on the visual system.
- Brain mechanisms of emotion, memory and attention Brain Plasticity
- Brain Plasticity
Bears, Connors & Paradiso: Neuroscience. Exploring the brain. 3rd ed.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 13
- Lectures
- 22
- Practical exercises
- 9
- Preparation
- 93
- Total
- 137
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Course participationOtherApproval of the course requires participation in at least 80% of the teaching (all categories, lectures, seminars, exercises) and an approved presentation of a research article.
- Marking scale
- completed/not completed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
As described in Learning Outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SHUA11015U
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree MasterPh.D.
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- C (Mon 13-17 + Wednes 8-17)See Syllabus
- Course capacity
- 24 participants
- Study board
- Study board of Human Biology
Contracting department
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Course responsibles
- Jakob Balslev Sørensen (7-7168727669697a477a7c756b35727c356b72)
Lecturers
Morten Møller, Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen, Ole Kjærulff, Jens Midtgaards, Ron Kupers, Albert Gjedde, Per Ebbe Roland