Course Identification

Introduction to neuroscience: Cellular and synaptic physiology
20203301

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Prof. Ilan Lampl, Prof. Eitan Reuveny, Prof. Menachem Segal
Dr. Ben Efron

Course Schedule and Location

2020
First Semester
Monday, 14:15 - 16:00, Wolfson Auditorium

Tutorials
Wednesday, 15:15 - 17:00, WSoS, Rm C
04/11/2019

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

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

Comments

All the exercises must be submitted (2 exercises).
* Tutorials: 6 tutorials in the first half of the semester on Wednesdays, 15:15-17:00 , at FGS, Room C
1. 13/11/2019
2. 20/11/2019
3. 4/12/2019
4. 11/12/2019
5. 18/12/2019 - Postpond to 22-Jan-2020
6. 1/1/2020


*** No lecture on Dec-9 ***

*** No lecture on Jan-6 ***

Prerequisites

No

Restrictions

200

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

16/02/2020
Wolfson Auditorium
1000-1300
N/A

Scheduled date 2

08/03/2020
Wolfson Auditorium
1430-1730
N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

2

Syllabus

Introduction to Neuroscience, Course syllabus, 2019-2020:

1) Introduction: The structure and basic function of Neurons.  (Lampl 4/11/2019) 

2) The Ionic basis of the resting potential: Nernst equation, Goldman equation. Pumps.  (Lampl, 11/11/2019)

3) Passive membrane properties.  Equivalent electrical circuit.  Cable theory: derivation, solutions, and implications for neuronal function.  (Lampl, 18/11/2019)

4) Active membrane properties and the action potential.  (Lampl, 25/11/2019)

5) Hodgkin-Huxley experiments and model. (Lampl, 2/12/2019)

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 , 9/12/2019)

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, 16/12/2019)

8) Synaptic transmission: Transmitter release, vesicles, quantal release, presynaptic molecular mechanisms.  (Reuveny, 23/12/2019)

9) Receptors: Molecular cascades, pharmacological manipulations.   (Reuveny , 30/12/2019)

10) Neuronal Plasticity: NMDA versus AMPA receptors; Long-term potentiation (LTP) and beyond.  (Segal, 6/1/2020)

11) Modern electrophysiological and optical recording techniques in the field of cellular and synaptic physiology.  (Lampl, 13/1/2020).

12) Advanced topics in cellular electrophysiology & Exam Rehearsal.   (Lampl, 20/1/2020).

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