INPDEMO — INP DEMO

Neurophysiology

Katedra za fiziologiju, imunologiju i patofiziologiju

Classes held in English

Lecturers

5

doc. dr. sc. Kranjčar Ana, dr. med. coordinator

prof. dr. sc. Lovren Jakov, dr. med. coordinator

prof. dr. sc. Milić Jakov, dr. med.

prof. dr. sc. Nikolić Vanessa, dr. med.

izv.prof.dr.sc. Vinković Franko, dr.med.

Details 2024/2025

Course aims, tasks, and learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to enable the student to apply previously acquired knowledge of Neuroanatomy and Physiology and Pathophysiology, and to acquire knowledge about the normal functioning of the nervous system, as well as knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to the disorders of the normal functioning and the occurrence of a specific disease.

Classes are held in the summer semester of the second year of study: 26 hours of lectures, 18 hours of seminars and 16 hours of practicals, which totals 5 ECTS. Immediately after held classes, two exam dates are planned. The objective of the course is to gain knowledge about the normal and disturbed functioning of the nervous system to the extent necessary for further successful study monitoring. The task of teaching is to acquire basic knowledge about the functional organization of the nervous system as a substrate of physiological and pathophysiological conditions, as well as to acquire knowledge about basic neurophysiological and neuropathological processes. Classes are performed in the form of lectures, seminars, and practicals, which include using computer programs like Biopack and SymBioSys that present physiological functions or certain diseases in humans, and program-oriented class. Certain pathological conditions are also demonstrated on animal models. Part of the seminars is conducted as a problem-oriented class so that students can solve physiological and pathophysiological problems with the help of the teacher based on typical anamnestic and diagnostic data.

At seminars and exercises, the student with the teacher actively discusses the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms.

Course outline

General organization of the nervous system: central, peripheral, and autonomous; Neuronal cellular biology: microenvironment of a neuron – glial cells; Cerebral blood flow and its disorders; Blood-brain barrier and its disorders; Cerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus; General energy metabolism of the brain; Fundamental neurophysiological processes: membrane and action potentials; Emergence and spreading of the nerve impulse; Structure and function of synapses; Neurotransmitters and their receptors: biochemical features of synthesis and decomposition, distribution and interaction of neurotransmitter systems; Membrane receptors: division, structure, activation, distribution; pathophysiology of the nervous transmission; Neural circuits for information processing; Organization of sensory systems and sensory functions: somatic (receptors) and special senses (vision, hearing, balance, taste, smell); Sensory disorders, pathophysiological background of pain; General organization of the motor system: spinal and supraspinal reflexes; Pyramidal and extrapyramidal motor system; Basal ganglia function: cerebellar motoric control, motoric nervous disorders; Autonomic nervous system: physiological and pathophysiological aspects; General and managing brain functions: ascending reticular activation system (attention, vigilance, sleep); Limbic system (emotions, neuroendocrinology of behavior), sexuality; Higher brain functions: laminar and vertical organization of the cerebral cortex: integrative function of the nervous system; Intellectual functions (memory, thinking, speech); Mental function disorders.

Developing general competencies (knowledge and skills) At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

1. interpret and explain the basics of nervous system functioning

2. interpret and explain the basics of nervous system disorders

3. connect and determine the importance of the nervous system within the organism

Developing specific competencies (knowledge and skills)

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

1. explain the principles of emergence and spreading of the action potential (impulse), as well as the basis for the pathophysiology of the nervous transmission

2. explain the concept of synaptic transmission, biochemical features of synthesis and decomposition, and distribution and interaction of neurotransmitter systems

3. list and describe the division, structure, distribution, and activation of membrane receptors

4. explain somatic (touch, pressure, position, pain, temperature) and special senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, balance), from sensory receptors and input (afferent) fibers to the cerebral cortex

5. explain pathophysiological processes associated with damages to somatosensory and special senses

6. explain the role of the nervous system in motor control: organization of the motor unit, spinal motor system control, voluntary motor movements, posture, role of basal ganglia and small brain in motion control

7. explain the general and managing brain functions, states of vigilance and consciousness, emotions and mood

8. explain the reaction and importance of the autonomic nervous system

9. describe types of learning and memory, cellular learning and memory mechanisms, and learning and memory disorders

10. describe the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier, cerebrospinal fluid, blood flow regulation mechanisms and circulatory disorders (cerebrovascular insult)

WARNING: students are required to bring with them to practicals: a) lab coat with b) Handbook for Practicals in Neurophysiology

Students ARE NOT ALLOWED to switch groups unless they find their replacements.

the student is obligated to prepare the material that is being discussed in seminars and practicals.

In accordance with the Law and Ordinance of the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, all forms of classes (lectures, seminars, and practicals) are mandatory. The validity of absence from seminars and practicals is proven by a valid certificate. Lectures, seminars, and practicals take place according to the Syllabus. Schedule of students by groups can be found on the SharePoint platform of the Department of Physiology and Immunology on the following website: https://spp.uniri.hr/ss_medri/katedre/427 - accessed via an AAI address.

During the course, the aquired knowledge wil be evaluated by two midterm exams comprising 50 questions.

A student may obtain up to 25 grade points on each exam, as shown in the table

Each test has one corrective period for students who, for justified reasons, did not take the tests or did not collect the minimum number of points or are not satisfied with the number of points collected (then its previous result is deleted).

II. Final exam (up to 50 grade points)

Who can take the final exam: Students who have achieved 25 or more points during the course take the final exam where they can achieve a maximum of 50 points.

Who can NOT take the final exam: Students who have achieved less than 25 points during classes or were absent for more than 30% of classes do not have the right to take the final exam (re-enroll in the course of the next academic year).

The final exam consists of a written and an oral part. The student must pass at least 50% of the written test comprising of 60 questions.at the final exam and be positively graded at the oral part of the exam.

The method of scoring in the final exam is shown in Table 2.

Grading in the ECTS system is done by absolute distribution, ie on the basis of the final achievement (points acquired during the course are added to the points from the final exam): A = 90 - 100% B = 75 - 89.9% C = 60 - 74.9% D = 50 - 59.9% F = 0 - 49.9%

Grades in the ECTS system are translated into a numerical system as follows: A = excellent (5) B = very good (4) C = good (3) D = sufficient (2) F = insufficient (1)

Other notes (related to the course) important for students: Teaching content and all information related to the course can be found on the Share-portal for internal communication of the Department of Physiology and Immunology.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the epidemiological measures related to Covid-19 determine the ban on gathering students in large numbers at the faculty, we will adjust the INP and the method of assessment to the current situation. In that case, classes would be conducted online (via audio presentations, using the MS teams platform, etc.), and the writing of tests would be conducted via the Merlin system. Students will be notified in a timely manner of any changes to the INP. In addition, in accordance with the recommendations of the University of Rijeka, classes can be held in a hybrid, ie up to 40% of classes can be held online, and 60% or more regularly, ie in contact with students at the faculty.

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This type of class is described in the syllabus, please contact the course coordinator for more details

Course

Neurophysiology

Study programs

Year of study

ISVU ID

URL

ECTS

5

Lecturers

Details 2024/2025

[Izvedbeni nastavni plan]