Course Identification

Introduction to neuroscience: Cellular and synaptic physiology
20183201

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Prof. Ilan Lampl, Prof. Menachem Segal, Prof. Yael Amitai, Prof. Eitan Reuveny, Prof. Ofer Yizhar
Dr. Inbal Meir

Course Schedule and Location

2018
First Semester
Sunday, 14:15 - 16:00, Wolfson Auditorium
29/10/2017

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

Life Sciences: Lecture; Elective; Core; 2.50 points
Life Sciences (Systems Biology Track): Core; 2.50 points
Life Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Track): Core; 2.50 points
Life Sciences (Brain Sciences: Systems, Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Track): Core; 2.50 points

Comments

All the exercises must be submitted (2 exercises).

* Tutorials: 6 tutorials on consecutive weeks in the first half of the semester on Wednesdays, 14:00-16:00- the first one will be on 8/11. Will be held at FGS room C (location changed).

Prerequisites

No

Restrictions

No

Language of Instruction

English

Attendance and participation

Expected and Recommended

Grade Type

Numerical (out of 100)

Grade Breakdown (in %)

10%
90%

Evaluation Type

Examination

Scheduled date 1

14/02/2018
Wolfson Auditorium
1000-1300
N/A

Scheduled date 2

N/A
N/A
-
N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

2

Syllabus

Introduction to Neuroscience, Course syllabus, 2017-2018:

1) Introduction: The structure and basic function of Neurons.  (Lampl 29/10/2017) 

2) The Ionic basis of the resting potential: Nernst equation, Goldman equation. Pumps.  (Lampl, 5/11/2017)

3) Passive membrane properties.  Equivalent electrical circuit.  Cable theory: derivation, solutions, and implications for neuronal function.  (Lampl, 12/11/2017)

4) Active membrane properties and the action potential.  (Lampl, 19/11/2017)

5) Hodgkin-Huxley experiments and model.  Give to students home exercise #1: Passive and active intrinsic properties of neurons.  (Lampl,26/11/2017)

6) Diversity of Ion Channels: Permeability, electrophysiology, single-channel recordings, channel structure. Ligand-gated ion channels (glutamate, GABA, glycine, serotonin, calcium…). Basic pharmacological tools. Clinical aspects of channel dysfunction.  (Reuveny , 3/12/2017)

7) Synaptic Transmission - General overview. Measurements and modeling of synaptic transmission: The reversal potential, synaptic conductance, excitation and inhibition, Model of ionotropic and ligand-gated synaptic transmission. Short-term synaptic dynamics (synaptic depression and facilitation). Temporal and spatial synaptic integration. Electrical synapses.  (Lampl,17/12/2017)

8) Synaptic transmission: Transmitter release, vesicles, quantal release, presynaptic molecular mechanisms.  (Yizhar 24/12/2017)

9) Receptors: Molecular cascades, pharmacological manipulations.   (Reuveny , 31/12/2017)

10) Neuronal Plasticity: NMDA versus AMPA receptors; Long-term potentiation (LTP) and beyond.  (Segal, 7/1/2018)

11) Astrocytic control of synaptic function: gliotransmitters, mechanisms of release -  experimental constrains and controversies. (Amitai, 14/1/2018).

12) Modern electrophysiological and optical recording techniques in the field of cellular and synaptic physiology.  Exam Rehearsal.   (Lampl, 21/1/2018).

13) Final Exam

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of cellular neurophysiology, from basic classic material to more advanced issues.

Reading List

  • Purves et al., Neuroscience, 3rd edition (2004).
  • Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 5th edition (2008).
  • Johnston & Wu, Foundations of cellular neurophysiology (1994).


 

Website

N/A