- Docente: Piero Parchi
- Credits: 4
- SSD: MED/26
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Medical Biotechnology (cod. 9081)
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from Oct 06, 2023 to Dec 05, 2023
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
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:
- Prion diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease and other alpha-synucleinopathies
- Frontotemporal dementia spectrum
- Biofluid diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in neurology
- Pathogenesis and phenotypic expression of the major autoimmune neurological disorders with secondary neurodegeneration (multiple sclerosis, paraneoplastic and antibody-mediated encephalitis, narcolepsy).
- Mitochondrial diseases affecting the neuro muscular system:
- Heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations: the case of MELAS syndrome
- Mitochondrial optic neuropathies: how two genomes may kill retinal ganglion cells
- Mitochondrial contribution of the pathogenesis of Parkinsonism
Readings/Bibliography
Slide content and suggested scientific articles and reviews.
Teaching methods
Interactive lectures. Teaching materials and slides are made available to the students via the moodle platform at least the day before the lesson. During the lessons, it is important for students to have direct access (online or off-line) to the teaching materials in order to be able to concentrate on specific contents rather than on reproducing slides.
Assessment methods
The exam consists of an oral interview with specific questions on at least two topics.
Teaching tools
Power point slides, and suggested articles and reviews.
Office hours
See the website of Piero Parchi