Syllabus
1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIC TERMINOLOGY Definition of fields of neuroscience, their general description and basic terminology. General morphological a physiological aspect of neural cells, bioelectrical signals, reflexes and behaviour
2. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF NEURONAL SIGNALLING Membrane theory of bioelectric events: Membrane potential, ion channels, ionic pumps (Na/K ATPase), basic principles of the resting, action and synaptic potential
3. NEURONS AS CONDUCTORS, GLIAL CELLS AS FULL SERVICE Passive electric properties of neuronal membrane, local vs propagated signal, conductance and velocity of action potential; fibre diameter vs. myelinisation; morphology and function of glial cells, membrane properties, neuron-glia (glia-neuron) signalling systems (ion buffering, glutamine synthase), tripartite synapses, myelin sheets, myelin associated glycoproteins, microglia and their role in synapse pruning
4. PRINCIPLES OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION Electrical vs. chemical synapses; synthesis, storage and release of the neurotransmitter; synapse vesicle recirculation (formation, docking, recycling, quantum content), neurotransmitter receptor classes, general identification and function of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, synaptic excitation/inhibition
5. MODEL SYNAPSE - NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION Structure, acetylcholine receptors, acetylcholinesterase, pharmacology of the NMJ, presynaptic and postsynaptic ways of modulation of the functional state of the end-plate
6. NEUROTRANSMITERS, NEUROMODULATORS AND MECHANISMS OF THEIR ACTION Detail classification of receptors: ionotropic vs metabotropic, presynaptic and postsynaptic neuromodulators, hormones, growth factors and second messengers, role of cytoskeleton
7. NERVOUS SYSTEM OF INVERTEBRATES Development of nervous system, level of individual neurons, ganglions, target organs, sensory cells and receptive fields, motor cells, synapses, and reflexes
8. NERVOUS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT Ectodermal origin of nervous system, spinal cord and brain formation; neurulation, neural crest cells, notochord, brain vesicles (Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon), role of morphogens and cell migration, neural stem cells, radial glia
9. NEUROANATOMY Anatomy and function of motoric and sensory tracts; motoneurons, motor unit, spinal reflexes, motor pathways in the CNS, brain stem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, neocortex, motor programs, primary and associated motor cortex areas; receptors, transduction and transformation of stimuli to electric signal, afferent axis, dorsal root ganglia, spinal tracts, thalamus and target primary and secondary cortex areas
10. INTERACTIONS OF NERVOUS, ENDOCRINE AND IMMUNNE SYSTEMS Integrative system anatomy and physiology-role of hypothalamus-pituitary gland system, peripheral and central mechanisms mediating feedback of nervous, endocrine and immune system (receptors and chemical compounds), blood brain barrier and cerebrospinal fluid, aspects of development growth, homeostasis and behaviour
11. NEUROBIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOUR Biorythms, inherited forms of behaviour, unconditioned reflexes, instincts, food intake, reproduction, emotions, learning, and memory, neuroethology
12. NEUROBIOLOGY AND MEDICAL SCIENCES Interaction of neurons under physiological and pathological conditions, hereditary factors, effect of the environment, regeneration of nervous system, medication and drugs affecting neural cells, neurology, psychopharmacology
13. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX AS ACTIVE PLAYER IN LEARNING AND MEMORY Forms of extracellular matrix, homeostatic plasticity, role of extracellular matrix in critical period, specialised forms of extracellular matrix (perineuronal nets, presynaptic matrix, perinodal matrix), tetrapartite synapses, role of extracellular matrix in aging and neurodegenerative diseases
Annotation
Neurobiology is an interdisciplinary subject that provides an overview of the function of cells of neural origin
(neurons and glia) on the level of single cells, functional neuronal circuits, multi neuronal (and glial) structure and the whole nervous system. The course is recommended for the 3rd year of bachelor program of Biology. Basic knowledge of physiology on the level of courses on animal and human physiology is expected. The course is a part of accredited program if Biology and study program of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry of Organisms.