65155 - Neurology

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, 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

Readings/Bibliography

Slide content and suggested reviews of the literature.

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.

Assessment methods

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).

“Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.”

Teaching tools

Power point slides.

Office hours

See the website of Piero Parchi

See the website of Maria Pia Giannoccaro

See the website of Chiara La Morgia