Neurophysiology and Cognition

Recommended Prerequisites

Factual knowledge: This course requires basic knowledge about Biochemistry, Biology and Physiology, as well as of neuroanatomy.

Skills and attitudes:

Languages: ability to understand and communicate in Portuguese as well as in English to search, select and process bibliographical information.

Information technologies: ability to use computers and internet to access bibliography and ability to use softwares for organization of presentations.

Attitudes: interest by the topic, self-learning, interactive strategies with colleagues and Faculty, work-group skills.

Teaching Methods

We will mingle 3 strategies to maximize the acquisition of the nuclear concepts: 1) theoretical classes to systematize concepts; 2) theorico-practical classes in the form of oriented seminars centered in group discussions to manipulate these concepts; 3) two seminars to apply these concepts. The focus of the student’s involvement in the learning process further aims to develop competences such as: 1) apply knowledge to problem solving; 2) promote self-learning; 3) work group; 4) search and critically select scientific information.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective is to grasp the organization, the functioning and the dynamics of synaptic contacts; under the perspective that information encoding is associated with synaptic plasticity and that synaptic alterations are from at early phases of different neuro-psychiatric disorders, this knowledge of the properties and functioning of synapses is paramount for the understanding of physio-pathological processes in the central nervous system.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

This discipline is organized to explore the following concepts:

1) Methodologies to study morpho-functional properties of synapses;

2) Dynamics of functioning and plasticity of synapses;

3) Interaction between neurons and glia in processes of synaptic plasticity;

4) Synaptic plasticity, learning, memory and multi-valence of cognition;

5) Synaptic alterations in neuro-psychiatric disorders.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rodrigo Pinto Santos Antunes Cunha

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Mini Tests: 20.0%
Project: 30.0%
Other: 30.0%

Bibliography

-Kolb B & Whislaw IQ (2011) ‘An Introduction to Brain and Behavior’, 3rd Ed., Worth Publishers.

-Hammond C (2001) ‘Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology’, 2nd Ed., Academic Press.

-Nicholls DG (1994) ‘Proteins, Transmitters and Synapses’, Blackwell.

-Zimmermann H, ‘Synaptic Transmission (1993) Cellular and Molecular Basis’, Thieme.

-Textos de apoio e artigos científicos de referência recentes/ support reviews and recent scientific papers of reference.