SHUA11015U Neuronal Signaling

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