Cellular Neuroscience

ACN 6340/HCS 6340

Syllabus: spring 2006

Instructor: Dr. Marco Atzori

Meeting time: Tuesday and Thursday 7:00-8:15 PM
Meeting place: FN 2.102
Office: Jonsson 4.212
Office Hours: Thursday 11:00-12:00 PM
Office Phone: (972) 883-4311
E-mail Address: marco.atzori@utdallas.edu
TA: LuDinh MP/Atzori’s lab

Class Texts: Principles of Neural Science, 4th or newer ed. (Kandel, Schwartz &
Jessell)

Neuroscience, 2nd ed. (Purves et al.)

Both books should be available at Off-Campus Books (Campbell Rd.) & the UTD
bookstore.

Course Purpose:

Purpose of the course is to supply the basic notions in the field of cellular neuroscience,
and the intellectual tools for understanding recent advances of the molecular and cellular
events underlying neural signaling, synaptic transmission, neural development, and
plasticity.

Course structure:

The course will initiate students to

1) basic morphological and functional properties of the cell, with particular

references to neurons and glia

2) foundations of neurocytology, neurogenetics and developmental neuroscience

3) cell physiology of the neuron in terms of passive and active properties of neuronal
membranes

4) neuromuscular junction, central synapses, synaptic integration and synaptic

plasticity
 5) neurotransmitter receptors and the involvement of the involvement of the main
neurotransmitter systems in mental disease

Assessment:

Students will have to:

1) demonstrate their knowledge of the foundations of cellular morphology and

physiology, particularly of neurons and glia.

2) display familiarity with neuronal aspects of cytology, genetics and development.

3) understand the elements of neuronal physiology as an electrical device

4) know the basic properties of central and peripheral synapses and their short-and
lont-term plasticity

5) get acquainted with the current views on the relationship between

neurotransmitter systems and neurological and psychiatric disorders

Grading:

Students' progress will be monitored with a written test every three lessons. The
performance at the test will be averaged at the end of the semester. Material for these
exams will be taken from readings, class lectures and discussion. Attendance will be
strongly encouraged. The format of the exam questions is designed to be challenging and
to encourage integrative thought about the material. Student who fail or can not be
present at one or more tests will have to take a final exam on the part corresponding to
the failure/absence, at the end of the semester. Students who pass all tests will not have to
take a final exam.

Grading: The percentage of the correct answers will be evaluated in the test.

100%-90% = A, 89%-80% = B, 79%-70% = C, 69%-60% = D, 59%-0% = F.

 Schedule:
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS
Jan 10 Introductory lecture – Neural
Perspectives
Jan 12 Intro to Neurons Purves Ch1 (1-5); Kandel Ch2
Jan 19 Genes and Behavior Kandel Ch3
Jan 17 Test
Jan 19 Cytology of Neurons Kandel Ch4
Jan 31 Protein Sorting Kandel Ch5
Feb 2 Membrane potential Kandel Ch6
Feb 7 Test
Feb 9 Membrane potential, con't Kandel Ch7
Feb 14 Passive Current Flow Kandel Ch8
Feb 16 Action Potential Purves Ch3
Feb 21 Test
Feb 23 Firing patterns Kandel Ch9
Feb 28 Synaptic Release Purves Ch5, Kandel Ch10
Mar 2 Neuromuscular Junction Kandel Ch11
Spring break
Mar 14 Test
Mar 16 Synaptic Integration Kandel Ch12,
Mar 21 Transmitter Release Kandel Ch14
Mar 23 Neurotransmitters Purves Ch6, Kandel Ch15
Mar 28 Test
Mar 30 Neurotranmsitters Receptors and Purves Ch7
Their Effects
Apr 4 Intracellular Signaling I Kandel Ch13, Purves Ch8
Apr 6 Intracellular Signaling II Kandel Ch16
Apr 11 Test
Apr 13 Synaptic Plasticity Kandel Ch63
Apr 18 Cell causes of brain development Purves Ch25
Apr 20 Cell aspects of mental disease
Apr 25 Test
Apr 27 Final exam