B8295 - NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student owns a critical overview of fundamental aspects of neural processing and the plasticity of brain circuits. The student learns how neural circuits, based on their functional and anatomical organization, solve complex challenges related to the coding, analysis, and transmission of nerve signals. At the end of the course the student knows the essential neuroanatomical structures and their roles, covering both cortical and subcortical regions. He/she knows the key techniques for recording and analyzing brain responses.The student learns how neural circuits in sensory and motor pathways enable the control of movement at central, spinal, and peripheral levels. Then, the neurophysiology of cognitive functions such as memory, language, and attention, and explore how cognitive processes influence motor control will be treated. Then, neuroplasticity and neuromotor learning theories, emphasizing mechanisms that govern the induction and consolidation of plasticity. At the end of the course the student is able to understand adaptive behaviors and learning processes.

Course contents

1) The Neuron: Basic Neurobiology & Physiology of Neuron

Notions of cell electrophysiology: foundational concepts of neuron physiology, including ion channels, resting membrane potential, action potential, neuromuscular junctions, nerve conduction, and the intricacies of neurotransmitters, receptors, and communication pathways.

2) Neural Coding and Decoding

How single neurons and networks represent and transmit information: spike codes in individual neurons, rate coding vs. temporal coding, variability and noise in spike trains. Population coding, redundant representations: why multiple neurons improve reliability. Dimensionality reduction: how large ensembles simplify task variables. Principles of decoding: reading out “what the brain sees or intends” from neural activity.

3) From Neuron to Nervous System

Neuroanatomy of the nervous system: the intricate anatomy of the nervous system, exploring the peripheral nervous system and its functions. Notions on the neuroanatomy of the central nervous system: functions of the main neural cortical and subcortical structures.

4) Perception

Sensory Coding: mechanisms of sensory coding, including receptors of the somatosensory system. The constructive nature of visual processing, from low-level visual processing in the retina to high-level visual processing impacting cognition, attention and action organization.

5) Movement

Principles of Sensorimotor Control: Investigate the principles governing sensorimotor control, from the motor unit and muscle action to sensory-motor integration in the spinal cord. Neural control of movement: from cortex to spinal cord, to motor neurons and muscles. Advanced topics in brain-machine interfaces and voluntary movement control. Influence of cognition on movement. Neuroplasticity of motor learning: theories and data.

6) Neurophysiology of cognitive functions: memory, attention, action and perception coupling, language.

Classical and operating conditioning. Positive reinforcement. Learning and memory. Classification of the types of memory on the basis of content and duration. Cortical plasticity: modification of cerebral circuits as result of experience. Amnesia. Memory and ageing. Neural circuits for different types of memory. Attention and eye movements. Action and perception neural interfaces. Language: language and brain. Hemispheric lateralization.

Readings/Bibliography

Kandel ER, Jessell TM, Schwartz JH, Siegelbaum SA, Hudspeth AJ. Principles of Neural Science, 5th ed. Mc Graw-Hill

for consultation: Purves D, et al., Neurosciences, 6th ed. Sinauer Associates

Articles and reviews will be provided to supplement these texts.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons using Power Point presentations.

Interactive methods (e.g. Kahoot, Mentimeter, Jove, etc…) learned in recent didactic laboratories of UNIBO will also be added, so to have a richer interaction among students and between students and professor.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral exam in which the student will discuss two different topics from the program. The exam will be considered passed if the student has demonstrated sufficient knowledge in both topics. In particular, if the answer is deemed sufficient, each question is evaluated with a variable score between 18 and 30 with honors. The achievement by the student of an organic vision of the topics discussed in the exam combined with their critical use, the demonstration of an expressive mastery and specific language are evaluated with marks of excellence. The mostly mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, the capacity for synthesis and analysis not articulated and / or a correct but not always appropriate language lead to discrete evaluations; training gaps and / or inappropriate language lead to grades that do not exceed sufficiency. Each of the two questions weighs for one half in the calculation of the final grade. Insufficient evaluation of the answer to even one of the two questions makes the test insufficient. 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

All teaching material will be available on the designated digital platforms (servers) of the University.

In order to prepare for the exam it is suggested to attend actively the lectures, study from a textbook and use both the notes taken during lectures and the material put by the tutor on the server of the University.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Bosco

See the website of Matteo Filippini