78450 - Neurophysiology

Learning outcomes

Students will learn and understand the biophysical principles related to nerve cells and the physiology of sensory receptors, with a particular focus on the auditory and vestibular systems.

Course contents

Initial review of the concepts of:

•  Physiology of cell membranes and ion channels
•  Physiology of excitable cells
•  Physiology of synapses

all previously covered in the "Human Physiology and Neurophysiology" course of the first semester.

Physiology of the nervous system

Functional anatomy and histology of the brain and spinal cord. Functional aspects and organization of the nervous system. Reflex arch. Receptors and transduction mechanisms. Receptive fields. Tactile and dolorific sensitivity, sensitive pathways and their central integration. Neuromuscular spindles, motor neurons and motor pathways. Autonomic nervous system: orthosympathetic and parasympathetic. The enteric nervous system.

Physiology of the auditory system

Structure and functions of the external ear (amplification and spatial localization of a sound). Middle ear: functions of the Eustachian tube, tympanum and ossicular chain (amplification and impedance adaptation). Concept of air and bone conduction. Structure and functions of the inner ear. Pascal principle, oval and round windows. Corti's organ and sensory transduction in the cochlea. Cochlear tonotopy. Organization of acoustic pathways and processing of acoustic information in higher neuronal structures.

Physiology of the vestibular system

Structure and functions of labyrinth. Vestibular receptors of semicircular channels (ampullar ridges) and of Utriculo and Sacculo (macule). Sensory transduction of adequate stimuli (angular and linear accelerations). Vestibular pathways and transmission of information to nerve centers. Notions on vestibular reflections.

Acoustics, Psychoacoustics and Audiometry

Basic notions on the physics of waves (definition of transversal and longitudinal waves, interference, harmonic motion, resonance); notions on the physics of sound waves (definition of sound pressure, period, harmonic motion, frequency, wavelength, amplitude, waveform Fourier theorem). Psychoacoustics: psychological characteristics of sound (pitch, intensity, timbre). Auditory perception: concept of absolute and differential threshold. Notions on the Laws of Weber, Weber-Fechner, Stevens. Auditory field: Bel and Decibel. Auditory thresholds and audiogram: how to conduct an audiometric examination. Understanding conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.

Language

Definition of language. Lateralization of language and dominant cortical hemisphere. Wada test. Broca area, language production and the case of Monsieur "Tan". Wernicke area and reception of language. Arcuate fasciculus and connection among language areas. Notion of Brodman’s cytoarchitectural area. Notions on aphasias (receptive, expressive, conductive and global).

Readings/Bibliography

It is possible to refer to any recently published Physiology textbook, together with the slides showed during the professor's lectures.

Suggested texts to be considered as alternative examples, NOT all to be bought (in italian):

Zocchi. Principi di fisiologia. Seconda edizione. Casa Editrice EDISES.

Battaglia. Fisiologia umana per le professioni sanitarie. Seconda edizione. Casa Editrice Mc Graw Hill.

Monticelli. Fisiologia. Seconda edizione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching methods

Lectures using PowerPoint presentations.

Assessment methods

The assessment test is an oral exam. The professor will propose two topics to each candidate to briefly discuss.

Each question is graded on a scale from 18/30 to 30 cum laude. The final grade corresponds to the average of the scores obtained in the individual questions. Failing even a single question means failing the exam. The evaluation takes into account: the accuracy and completeness of the acquired knowledge; the ability to integrate the different topics of the discipline; the capacity for reasoning and making connections between the different biological systems studied; the appropriate use of scientific terminology; and the clarity and precision of the presentation.

Regarding the use of generative Artificial Intelligence in assessment tests, its use is not permitted, and any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD/DSA) or temporary or permanent disabilities are invited to contact the dedicated University service in a timely manner to agree on any test adaptations, in compliance with the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations with eventual other supporting material. All PowerPoint presentations shown during lectures are provided personally to students in pdf format in the "Virtuale" online platform.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Luppi