65155 - NEUROLOGY

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

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.

Contenuti

Introduction to Neurodegenerative Diseases: Basic concepts of protein folding and misfolding, amyloid formation, cell to cell prion-like transmission, prion strains, role of glial cells

Molecular pathology and phenotypic spectrum of major neurodegenerative disorders:

• Prion diseases
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease and other alpha-synucleinopathies
• Frontotemporal dementia spectrum
• Motor Neuron diseases
  
  
• 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).
• Basis of mitochondrial medicine: Fundamental mitochondrial biology and genetics
• 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

Testi/Bibliografia

Slide content and suggested reviews of the literature.

Metodi didattici

Interactive lectures. Teaching materials and slides are made available to the students via the moodle platform at least the day before the lesson.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The exam consists of an oral interview with at least three questions covering the three main topics of the program (neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders and mitochondrial encephalomiopathies).

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Power point slides.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Piero Parchi

Consulta il sito web di Maria Pia Giannoccaro

Consulta il sito web di Chiara La Morgia