97002 - Central Nervous System Physiopathology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students will have acquired the knowledge and understanding required to recognise the clinical syndromes associated with diseases of the central nervous system.

Course contents

1. Structure and organisation of the central nervous system

Preparatory topic: general organisation of the CNS; neurons and glial cells; synaptic transmission; main cerebral and spinal structures; grey and white matter; sensory and motor pathways; and the relationship between lesion location and clinical manifestations.

2. Pathophysiology of pain and headache disorders

Nociceptive pathways and pain modulation; peripheral and central sensitisation; nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. Essential classification of primary and secondary headache disorders, with a focus on migraine, tension-type headache, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.

3. Pathophysiology of movement and movement disorders

Organisation of motor control: motor unit, descending pathways, motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. Main motor neuron syndromes and hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders, including Parkinson disease, tremor, chorea, dystonia, myoclonus, and tics.

4. Higher cognitive functions, dementias, and prion diseases

Network organisation of cognitive functions; language, praxis, gnosis, memory, attention, and executive functions. Mild cognitive impairment, the main forms of dementia, and essential concepts concerning prion diseases.

Readings/Bibliography

• Ferrarese C. et al. Core Curriculum - Malattie del Sistema Nervoso. McGraw-Hill, 2016.
• Manzoni G.C., Torelli P. Neurologia. Esculapio, 2012.
• Kandel E.R. et al. Principi di neuroscienze. Zanichelli, 2023.
• Purves D. et al. Neuroscienze. Zanichelli, 2021.

The slides, scientific articles, videos, recordings, and any supplementary materials made available on Virtuale are part of the examination syllabus.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lectures supplemented by guided discussion of clinical cases, images, videos, and neurophysiological recordings. Teaching is designed to emphasise the links between circuit organisation, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and the contribution of neurophysiological techniques.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through an oral examination.

The examination covers the topics discussed during lectures, the slides, and all teaching materials available on Virtuale.

To take the examination, students must prepare:

• ·one topic of their choice from sections 2, 3, and 4: Pain, Movement, or Higher Cognitive Functions;
• ·one in-depth topic of their choice from one of sections 2, 3, and 4, different from the topic selected as the main subject.

 

Assessment criteria:

18-19: preparation limited to a small number of topics; acceptable presentation, but with limited independence;

20-24: limited but sufficient knowledge; appropriate use of language;

25-29: good preparation, critical analysis skills, and command of the relevant terminology;

30-30 with honours: comprehensive preparation, ability to independently elaborate on the subject matter, and clear and precise argumentation.

 

Final grade of the integrated course:

This module is part of the Integrated Course 39436 - Pathophysiology of the Nervous System, which consists of four modules. The final grade for the integrated course is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the four modules, according to their respective university credits. Each module must be passed with a grade of at least 18/30. The final grade is expressed on a scale of 30; honours may be awarded in accordance with the procedures agreed upon within the integrated course.

 

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders:

Students with specific learning disorders and temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the dedicated office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that appropriate compensatory measures can be agreed upon. The request must be submitted to the lecturer in advance, at least 15 days before the examination date. The lecturer will assess the suitability of the proposed measures in light of the course learning objectives.

Teaching tools

Lectures are delivered with the support of PowerPoint presentations.

Teaching material is provided to students as course handouts and includes, in addition to the slides, scientific articles published on the topics covered.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Baldelli