- Docente: Valerio Carelli
- Credits: 4
- SSD: MED/26
- Language: English
- Moduli: Valerio Carelli (Modulo 1) Piero Parchi (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Medical Biotechnology (cod. 9081)
Learning outcomes
Define the bio-molecular bases of neuronal physiology with particular reference to protein and mitochondrial metabolism Discuss the molecular and cellular etiopathogenesis of the main neurodegenerative, autoimmune and mitochondrial encephalopathies Describe examples of molecular-phenotypic correlations in the field of neurodegenerative diseases Critically evaluate the main molecular and biochemical techniques for the in vivo and post-mortem diagnosis of both genetic and sporadic diseases of the nervous system Apply molecular biology techniques to the study of neurological problems.
Course contents
Module A – course content (Prof. Valerio Carelli)
Introductory concepts to cell pathological mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration: from cell energetic metabolism to oxidative stress, quality control of organelles and cell death pathways
Mitochondrial diseases as models of neurodegeneration:
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Heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations: the case of MELAS syndrome
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Mitochondrial optic neuropathies: how two genomes may kill retinal ganglion cells
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Mitochondrial pathogenesis of Parkinsonism
Circadian dysfunction and neurodegeneration
Cell and animal models
Therapeutic strategies
Module B – course content (Prof. Piero Parchi)
Introduction to Neurodegenerative Diseases: Basic concepts of protein folding and misfolding, amyloid formation, cell to cell prion-like transmission, prion strains
Molecular pathology and phenotypic spectrum of major neurodegenerative disorders:
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Prion diseases
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Alzheimer’s disease
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Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies
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Frontotemporal dementia spectrum
Biofluid diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in neurology
Pathogenesis and phenotypic expression of major autoimmune neurological disorders with secondary neurodegeneration (multiple sclerosis, paraneoplastic and antibody-mediated encephalitis, narcolepsy)
Readings/Bibliography
Slide presentations and suggested reviews
Teaching methods
Teaching lectures
Assessment methods
The exam consists of an oral interview with specific questions on at least two topics.
Teaching tools
Power point slides
Office hours
See the website of Valerio Carelli
See the website of Piero Parchi