Introduction to neurophysiology

Duration

15h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Gaëtan Garraux

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The nervous system is specialized in information processing
Following a brief introduction to the function, anatomy and histology of the human nervous system, several fundamental questions are adressed:

• How is the information coded by electrical signals ?
• How does the information spread in nerve cells ?
• How is the information transmitted from one cell to another ?
• How do nervous circuits develop and how can they be modified during life?
• How is maintained the homeostasis of the nervous system ?

• I. Overview on system nervous morphology and physiology
• II. Communication within
• III. Communication between I
• IV Communication between II
• V. Micro- and macro- circuits
• VI. System nervous homeostasis
• VII. Development
• VIII. Plasticity and reparation

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The teaching will assist the student in learning the general principles that govern the functioning of the nervous system in humans.
The student will be able to describe how electrical signals propagate from one end of the nerve cell to the other and how these electrical signals are communicated to other neurons or effectors of the nervous system.
Learning will enable the student to predict the consequences of changes in the ionic environment on cellular communication in the nervous system, to understand the consequences of genetic or pharmacological modifications of the properties of transmembrane proteins of nerve cells.
The integration of knowledge will be promoted by the study of elementary nerve circuits such as the stretch reflex by its 6 main components: sensory receptor, afferent path, integration and distribution of electrical signals along several parallel paths, efferent path, effectors, and modulation by descending pathways
The student will be able to understand why the functioning of neurons is closely related to the biochemical and cellular composition of their immediate environment.
Finally, the student will be able to describe the main steps of nervous system development and global responses to aggression

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

• General physiology
• General biochemistry
• General biology

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Course supports are available on myulg/eCampus:
Slides used for teaching. Slides only show figures (from reference books) and a short title. Text is minimized or virtually absent

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Eight magistral two hours weekly lessons during the third quadrimester.
These teaching conditions will be adapted according to the requirements of the sanitary situation (COVID-19) and partially or completely moved online into virtual classrooms.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Written exam:
multiple choice questions
Depending on the sanitary conditions (COVID-19 pandemic) and organisational resources provided by the University, the exam will be organised on site (in person) or remotely (on-line)
- hybrid session: in person, multiple choice questions
- on-line exam: eCampus, multiple choice questions
Any student who is unable to sit the exam in person, due to quarantine duly attested by certificate, must represent the exam in oral or written form. This exam will be scheduled as soon as possible during the session depending on the availability of the teacher .

Recommended or required readings

Learning objectives can be reached by using the following optional textbooks:
Neurosciences, 6th Edition, 2019 (In French) D. Purves, G.J. Augustine, D. Fitzpatrick, W.C. Hall, A.-S LaMantia, J.O. McNamara, L.E. White. Editions de boeck.
Medical Neurobiology 2nd Edition, 2017. P. Mason. Oxford University Press.
Neurophysiology - A conceptual approach. 5th Edition. R. Carpenter & B. Reddi, Hoder Arnold, An Hachette UK Company
The Central Nervous System, 5th Edition. 2017. P. Brodal. Oxford University Press.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Written examination: Questions with open answers and/or multiple choice questions
Depending on the sanitary conditions (COVID-19 pandemic), the exam will be organised on site (physical presence: codes green and yellow, possibly orange) or online (virtual: code red, possibly orange).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

N/A

Contacts

Professor Gaëtan Garraux ggarraux@uliege.be

Secretary: Mrs Larisia Bourdoux 04/366 59 50

Items online