Course Identification

Introduction to neuroscience: Cellular and synaptic physiology
20223221

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Prof. Ofer Yizhar, Prof. Ilan Lampl, Prof. Menachem Segal, Prof. Eitan Reuveny
Ben Efron, Dr. Ori Roethler

Course Schedule and Location

2022
First Semester
Thursday, 15:15 - 17:00, FGS, Rm C

Tutorials
Sunday, 14:15 - 16:00, FGS, Rm B
28/10/2021
18/03/2022

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

Comments

N/A

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

20/02/2022
FGS, Rm C
0900-1100
N/A

Scheduled date 2

09/03/2022
FGS, Rm C
0900-1100
N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

2

Syllabus

Introduction to Neuroscience, Course syllabus, 2021-2022:

1) Introduction: The structure and basic function of Neurons.  (Yizhar 28/10/2022) 

2) The Ionic basis of the resting potential: Nernst equation, Goldman equation. Pumps.  (Lampl, 4/11/2022)

3) Passive membrane properties.  Equivalent electrical circuit.  Cable theory: derivation, solutions, and implications for neuronal function.  (Lampl, 11/11/2022)

4) Active membrane properties and the action potential.  (Lampl, 18/11/2022)

5) Hodgkin-Huxley experiments and model. (Lampl, 25/11/2022)

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 , 2/12/2022)

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, 9/12/2022)

8) Synaptic transmission: Transmitter release, vesicles, quantal release, presynaptic molecular mechanisms.  (Yizhar, 16/12/2022)

9) Receptors: Molecular cascades, pharmacological manipulations.   (Yizhar , 23/12/2022)

10) Neuronal Plasticity: NMDA versus AMPA receptors; Long-term potentiation (LTP) and beyond.  (Segal, 30/12/2022)

11) Modern electrophysiological and optical recording techniques in the field of cellular and synaptic physiology.  (Yizhar, 6/1/2022).

12) Advanced topics in cellular electrophysiology & Exam Rehearsal.   (Yizhar, 13/1/2022).

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.
  2. Understand basic concepts in synaptic function, dynamics and plasticity
  3. Understand the principles of electrophysiological methods for recording neural activity

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