84437 - In Vivo Neurometabolic Diagnostics

Academic Year 2024/2025

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 9210)

Learning outcomes

Describe the main diagnostic metabolic and functional imaging techniques for in vivo investigation of neurological disorders.

Course contents

The course will focus on advanced MRI techniques for the study of central nervous system (CNS) diseases.

1. Introduction to the basics of MR spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and functional MRI (fMRI) techniques

2. Discussion of the advanced MRI following CNS disorders:

- Brain tumors, primary and metastatic

- Inflammatory diseases: infective and autoimmune

- Metabolic diseases

- Neurodegenerative diseases

3. Basics of radiogenomics

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material provided on the IOL platform (lesson slides, videos, scientific papers) are essential for exam preparation.

Further reading: inherent books available at Neuroimaging Lab, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bellaria Hospital (Pavillion A, ground floor) via Altura 3, Bologna

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral assessment to verify the achievement of objectives (critical thinking, knowledge of topics) within the integrated course of Neurological, Psychiatric Diseases and Pain (I.C.).

The assessment regarding "In vivo neurometabolic diagnostics" will be focused on topics covered in class.

EXAM SESSION

For logistic reasons, the exam of the I.C. will be divided in 2 modules.

Module A (Psychiatry, Clinical Psycology, Neuropsycopharmacology, Anaesthesiology and Pain Management; total 7 CFU)

20.01.25

24.02.25

14.04.25

16.06.25

14.07.25

15.09.25

Module B (Neurology, Neuroradiology, In vivo Neurometabolic Diagnostics, Neuropathology, Neurosurgery; total 8 CFU)

23.01.25

27.02.25

17.04.25

19.06.25

17.07.25

18.09.25

Exam sessions to be held at 9:00 a.m at IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences Bellaria Hospital, Pavilion G, first floor.

FINAL GRADES

Taking the module B exam only after having passed the module A is mandatory.

At the end of each module, the Commission will score the overall student’s performance in each module according to the following scale:

o Outstanding 30/30L: full preparation, consolidated and without inaccuracies on the topics covered in the integrated course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and connect independently the different topics. Concepts in the right succession and full command of the specific language with some original elaboration by the student.

o Excellent 29-30/30: full preparation, consolidated and without significant inaccuracies on the topics covered in the course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and connect independently. Concepts in the right succession and full command of the specific language.

o Very good 27-28/30: preparation of very good level, but with significant inaccuracies in the presentation that compromise the achievement of full marks. Ability to analyze and link independently. Exposure of concepts in the right succession and with appropriate language.

o Good 23-26/30: preparation of good level, but with important inaccuracies in the presentation. Ability to analyze and link after input from the teacher. Exposure of concepts in the right succession and with appropriate language.

o Sufficient 18-22/30 knowledge limited to the basic concepts without serious gaps, only after input from the teacher. Exposition of concepts and language acceptable as a whole.

o Insufficient <18/30: lack of preparation. Serious and repeated conceptual errors.

The final mark of the Integrated Course Neurological, Psychiatric Disease and Pain (from 18/30 upwards) will be assigned when the student has completed both modules (i.e. during the Thursday session when module B is held).

The student will be allowed to accept or decline the final grade by communicating the decision.

If a student does not achieve a pass score in module B, she/he will be allowed to sit again only for that module, maintaining the positive evaluation obtained in the other module A, as long as this happens within the same academic year (please be aware that last exam session is scheduled for 18.09.25).

If a student has not completed all the exams of the integrated course within the academic year, must redo both modules.

 

 

Teaching tools

Pdf files of the power point presentations distributed through the platform virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Caterina Tonon

SDGs

Good health and well-being Partnerships for the goals

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.