BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOUR

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Versione italiana
Academic year
2020/2021
Teacher
LUIGI GRASSI
Credits
7
Didactic period
Secondo Semestre

Training objectives

MODULE I
The aim of the course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge in the functions of the nervous system with particular reference to the perceptive and motor systems.
MODULE II
The course aims to provide a basic knowledge in the structure of the human nervous system, with a more in-depth study of the functional anatomy of the integrated systems involved in cognitive functions.
At the end of the course the students will have developed the ability to recognize the basic components of the central nervous system. They will analyze a few simple clinical cases oriented to a better understanding of the limbic system and of the anatomical basis of somatic and visceral signs mediated by cognitive systems.
MODULE III
The course provides a grounding in basic skills in the field of psychiatry. On termination the student is expected to be able to recognize and describe the features of the main psychiatric pathologies and recognize the most suitable rehabilitative therapy in a biopsychosocial setting.
MODULE IV
The course provides an introduction to psychobiological aspects (functional neuro-anatomy, neurophysiology, psychology) and terminology to facilitate an understanding of the lessons regarding specific medical subjects.

Prerequisites

none

Course programme

MODULE I
Excitable cells. Graduated ion channels and action potentials. Synapses. Neuromuscular joints. Muscles. Strength and recruitment of muscular fibers. Cortical areas. Sensorial systems: principles of sensorial transduction. Motor and reflex systems.
MODULE II
The areas of the human body. Anatomical planes (section planes). Terminology used to define relations and position. Body cavities, with particular reference to the dorsal, cranial and vertebral cavities. The nervous system: general principles. Cells of the nervous system (neurons, glia). Types of neurons.
Development of CNS. Encephalic vesicles. Ventricular system. General aspects of spinal cord and encephalon morphogenesis.
Spinal and encephalic meninges. Meningeal spaces. Cerebrospinal fluid and its circulation. Coroid plexus and arachnoid granulations. Meninges and brain vessels. General aspects of brain vascularization.
Clinical Anatomy: hydrocephalus, haematomas and haemorrhages. Spinal cord. Structure, organization, white and grey matter. Spinal nerves (roots, branches).
Cerebral topography. Brain morphology. Encephalic trunk: morphology and general organization.
Sensory pathways. Types of sensitivity. Dorsal columns and Anterolateral systems
Brain cortex. Structure. Cell types. Laminar organization. Areas of the cortex. Hemispheric asymmetry. Cognitive style. The strange case of Phineas Gage. Limbic system. Main components and their function. Examples of limbic system circuits. Hypothalamus. Hypothalamus-pituitary axis and control of the endocrine system.
MODULE III
General aspects of psychiatry. The biopsychosocial model and its application in psychiatry. Concepts of psychiatric disorders, nosography and diagnosis in psychiatry. (ICD-11 e DSM-5).
The main psychiatric disorders (anxiety, somatic, mood and psychosis). T
herapeutic models (counselling, psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy) with particular reference to rehabilitation.
MODULE IV
The main components of the central nervous system.
Transfer of information in the nervous system. Higher cortical functions (language, memory, executive functions, visuo-perceptual processes, the neural bases of behavior).

Didactic methods

Frontal lessons

Learning assessment procedures

MODULE I: written exam
There will be 5 true-false questions; 5 multiple-choice questions (2 points each); 2 open-questions with a maximum of 8 rows each (5 points for each correct answer); 1 hour of time.
MODULE II: oral examination. The student is required to answer a general question which, starting from a basic issue, ranges in the context of correlated anatomical and functional aspects of the organization of the central nervous system, with particular reference to the limbic system. Average duration: 15 minutes.
MODULE III: written exam: The exam consists in in 5 open questions regarding the main themes of the program. The length of the exam is 60 minutes. For the assessment and scoring the teacher will evaluate the level of knowledge, the clarity and precision in discussing the themes, the ability of the candidate in connecting theory to clinical practice.
MODULE IV: written exam
The evaluation consists of one written exam that lasts 1 hour, based on 40 multiple-choice questions (3 choices). Each correct answer will be counted as 1 point. Incorrect and skipped answers will be counted as 0 point.
The final grade is a weighted average of the marks obtained in each tests.

Reference texts

MODULE I
Any basic text in neurophysiology. Slides presented in class
MODULE II
Hendelman, Atlante di Neuroanatomia Funzionale, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana
MODULE III
Invernizzi G., Manuale di psichiatria e Psicologia Clinica, 5 edizione, MacGraw Hill, Milano, 2016
Notes given by the Professor.
MODULE IV
G. Vallar e C. Papagno (Ed.) Manuale di Neuropsicologia. Il Mulino, 2011
P. Legrenzi, C. Papagno, C. Umiltà. Psicologia generale. Dal cervello alla mente. Il Mulino, 2012.
Handout by the teacher.