Physiopathology and Regeneration in Neurological Illnesses
Code: 42910 ECTS Credits: 9| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313792 Neurosciences | OB | 0 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Guillermo García Alias
- Email:
- Guillermo.Garcia@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- spanish (spa)
Teachers
- José Aguilera Ávila
- Xavier Navarro Acebes
- Caty Casas Louzao
- Carlos Alberto Saura Antolin
- Clara Penas Perez
- Victor J. Yuste Mateos Grup mort cel.lular, senescència i super
- Carlos Barcia Gonzalez
- Africa Flores de los Heros
- Jordi Bruna Escuer
- Guillermo García Alias
- Alfredo Jesús Miñano Molina
- Albert Quintana Romero
- Mireia Herrando Grabulosa
- Ruben Lopez Vales
External teachers
- Javier Pagonabarraga
- Joan Vidal
- Miquel Vila
Prerequisites
Basic knowledgment from previous subjects in the master is recomended (M1-M3)
Objectives and Contextualisation
This module offers an updated vision of the processes involved in neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration in the nervous system.
The module covers the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, analyzing the ethiopathogenesis of these diseases as well as the development of therapies.
On the other hand, the module also covers the mechanisms of neuroplasticity after traumas and / or metabolic conditions, both from the molecular and the clinical point of view.
Finally, recent articles regarding the different subjects will be discussed in small groups and students will also prepare a workshop, where they would have to propse a innovative therapy for ona pathology of the nervous system.
The general objectives of the subject are:
- Learn the basic concepts about the molecular and cellular bases of the neurodegenerative processes of different neurological pathologies.
- Learn the basics about the processes of regeneration and plasticity in the nervous system that underlie and start after traumatic injuries
- To train the student to apply the knowledge acquired on neurodegeneration and regeneration in a scientific context.
- Acquire skills and technical knowledge for scientific research on neurodegeneration and regeneration
- Acquire the ethical and rigorous attitudes to develop the work of scientific research.
Competences
- Conceive, design, develop and synthesise scientific projects in the field of neurosciences.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously
- Explain the basis of treatments for pathologies of the nervous system.
- Identify and use the techniques for studying the neurobiological substrate of behaviour, neurodegenerative processes, neuroprotective strategies and strategies of plasticity of the nervous system.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Learning Outcomes
- Adapt to working in multidisciplinary teams in varying cultural and scientific contexts, creating and fostering a climate of open collaboration and team spirit.
- Analyse the differences between the central and peripheral nervous systems' regenerative response to lesions
- Compare the main strategies for repair of the nervous system from a holistic, innovative perspective.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously
- Develop a deep sense of responsibility and respect for those affected by diseases of the nervous system and their families.
- Interpret nervous system responses to lesions and neurodegenerative processes at the molecular, cellular and system levels.
- Know and use the techniques applied to the characterisation of cell death.
- Link up the strategies of neural response modulation that are useful for postlesion neurorehabilitation.
- Recognise the different molecular mechanisms of cell death and the mechanisms of action of the drugs that modulate these.
- Seek out information in the scientific literature using appropriate channels, and use this information to formulate and contextualise a research topic.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Content
Molecular and cellular bases of neurodegenerative processes that include:
-Introduction to the clinical impact of neurodegenerative diseases
-Molecular mechanisms of inflammation
-Molecular Mechanisms of Neural Death
-Pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, diseases that affect basal ganglia, mitochondrial disease and sinaptopathies.
-Neurotoxicology
Basic processes of regeneration and plasticity in the nervous system
-Injuries and peripheral regeneration
-Strategies for peripheral nerve repair
-Injuries and central regeneration
-Therapeutic strategies after spinal cord injuries
-Post-lesion plasticity
-Introduction to neurorehabilitation
* The proposed content may experience restrictions imposed by health authorities which requires the prioritization or reduction of such content.
Methodology
Lectures
Cooperative learning
Technical learning
Discussions
Oral Presentation
Tutorials
Elaboration of work
Personal study
Reading articles / reports of interest
Lectures
Systemized exhibition of the subject's agenda, giving relevance to the most important concepts. The student acquires the basic scientific knowledge of the subject attending the lecture classes, which will complement the personal study of the subjects of the teaching program.
Workshops:
Development of critical thinking through the analysis and debate of scientific publications. The bibliographical research skills and rigorous selection criteria are also developed, the active self-learning, the clear exposition of their own ideas and the respectful debate are promoted.
Seminars:
Presentation and discussion on dissertations related to neurodegenerative processes and their possible therapeutic approaches. In these sessions, the acquired knowledge is applied and the critical inventiveness, reflection and analysis capabilities are indispensable for their future scientific activity
Individual tutorials
Availability of support tutorials for the study and autonomous development of biological and medical concepts
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.”
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Practical sessions | 12 | 0.48 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Seminar | 41 | 1.64 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Theoretical classes | 5 | 0.2 | 2, 10, 3, 5, 1, 4, 8, 11 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Support tutorials | 7 | 0.28 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Preparation of knowledge and abilities objectives | 35 | 1.4 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Preparation of practicals | 35 | 1.4 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Preparation of seminars | 90 | 3.6 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
Assessment
The assessment will be based on individual written tests and one seminar presentation. The written tests will be based on the theoretical content of the module, and will also include an exercise of critical comments of experimental works related to nervous system disorders. There will be several evaluation tests during the course. The seminars will be assessed by means of an oral test. Participation in debates will be encouraged and will be taken into account for the final grades. To pass the module it will be necessary to obtain a mínimum score of 5.
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.”
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment of practicals | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Debate | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Practical evaluation | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Seminar | 20 | 0 | 0 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8, 11 |
| Seminari Institute of Neuroscience | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2, 10, 3, 7, 5, 9, 1, 6, 8, 11 |
Bibliography
Up-to-date review papers that will be recommended by each of the lecturers during the theoretical classes.
Handbooks:
Beal MF, Lang EA, Ludolph AC. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Neurobiology, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics. Cambridge University press, 2005
Kordower J, Tuszynski MH. CNS regeneration: basic science and clinical advances. 2ª ed, 2007