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The neuroscience masters programme offers 6 specific mandatory and elective courses in the field of neurosciences which are organized in the first and second semester. Students have to choose courses for 30 ECTS.
Mandatory courses (24 ECTS)
Elective courses (6 ECTS)
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This course is offered by the Institute Born Bunge and the laboratory of Biophysics, physiology and pharmacology
Coordinator: Erik De Schutter
Lecturers: Erik De Schutter, Dirk Snyders, Alain Labro
ECTS: 6
Goal and content
The course will deal with synaptic transmission, neuron excitability and processing, and voltage-gated ion channels.
I Synaptic transmission
Presynaptic mechanisms: neurotransmitters, vesicle cycle and quantal release
Postsynaptic mechanisms: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, pharmacology
Short-term plasticity and dynamic synapses. Long-term plasticity: molecular mechanisms and signal transduction. Function of dendritic spines and spike-timing dependent plasticity, metaplasticity and homeostasis
II Voltage-gated ion channels
Experimental procedures: voltage clamp, patch clamp, noise analyse, FRET
Molecular biology and diversity of ion channels. Molecular structure-function analysis and pharmacology and biophysical mechanisms of permeation. Crystal structure of ion channels
Computational biophysical models of voltage-gating.
Channel disorders: congenital and acquired disorders of excitability
III Neuronal excitability and processing
Action potentials: generation, propagation and retrograde propagation
Firing behavior: accomodation, bursting, afterhyperpolarisation
Function of dendrites in synaptic integration
IV Practical sessions
Patch clamp experiments and analyse of cells expressing voltage-gated ion channels or neurons, in culture or in slice preparations. Live cell Ca2+ imaging in neurons.
Use of computer models of gating, permeation and neural activitity. Critical presentation and discussion or scientific papers related to the topics covered in theory.
Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA. A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general introductions by instructors; student discussions about papers.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: papers and presentations.
Literature: Handouts and review articles from the lector. Textbooks: Squire LR, Roberts JL, Spitzer NC, Zigmond MJ, McConnell SK and Bloom FE (Eds.) Fundamental Neuroscience , 3rd ed., Academic Press, 2007, ISBN 0123740193.
Hille B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes, 3rd ed. Sinauer, 2001, ISBN 0878933212
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This course is offered by the Institute Born Bunge
Coordinator: Sebastian Engelborghs
Lecturers: Sebastian Engelborghs , Peter De Deyn and Peter De Jonghe
ECTS: 6
Goal and content
This course will provide an overview of neurological and psychiatric nosological entities. Main focus will be put on a series of neurological disorders presently under investigation in the Antwerp neuroscience research community. Courses will elaborate on innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. Special attention will be given to the pathophysiological basis underlying neurodegenerative disorders (dementia and Parkinson’s disease), epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders. Scientific preclinical and clinical study designs and research methods will be discussed in relationship to clinical neurosciences.
The first part of the course gives a general overview of clinical presentation, epidemiology, aetiology and management of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Topics will include sleep disorders, psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, affective disorders ...), motorneuron disorders, cerebrovascular disorders, epilepsy, headache, neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis and demyelinating disorders, neuromuscular diseases, infectious disorders, neuro-oncology, trauma, metabolic diseases, spinal cord pathology
The second part will give a detailed analysis of neurodegenerative disorders (dementia and Parkinson’s disease), epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders, including ongoing research on pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. Scientific preclinical and clinical studies related to these disorders will be dealt with in further detail.
Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA. A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation.
Literature: reader.
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This course is offered by the Bioimaging Lab and the Antwerp University Hospital
Coordinator: Annemie Van Der Linden
Lecturers: Annemie Van Der Linden, Paul Parizel and Marleen Verhoye
ECTS: 6
Goal and content
The course is considered as an integrated practical course in which the different techniques of neuroimaging are dealt with. The applications, indication and medical value of all techniques of neuroimaging will be discussed and illustrated by means of literature or practical examples. Appropriate levels of attention will be devoted to the advanced image processing used in biomedical research. The course also gives insight in how image contrasts can be acquired (technically) and what are the underlying physiological or anatomical mechanisms for each image contrast.
In the introduction the anatomy/MRI/CT and existing neuroatlasses are compared between humans (clinical) and rodents (rat/mouse) (preclinical).
In the computer tomography (CT) section focus is made towards CT contrast agents and their applicability in preclinical and clinical context, perfusion CT, 3D techniques and CT-angiography.
In the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) section focus is made towards MRI contrast agents and their applicability in both preclinical and clinical context, diffusion MRI and application of DW MRI in several applications (stroke, MS, development/degeneration white matter), perfusion weighted MRI with application of PW MRI in several applications (ischemia, brain tumors), MRI functional for brain functioning, flow and MR angiography with applications, ultrafast imaging with applications (use in fMRI, quantification volume brain regions), and leakage of blood-brain-barrier with dynamic MRI with use of contrast agents. Moreover both MR Spectroscopy and MR spectroscopic imaging is discussed, including their underlying principles and the neuro applications in preclinical and clinical context.
In the PET-MRI section the use of relevant tracers for neuro research in preclinical and clinical context is discussed. This technique however is more described in detail in the course ‘Molecular Imaging representation in preclinical and clinical’ context.
The students will be able to perform MR and CT experiments. The practical course is focused on the different MR techniques and the acquired physiological parameters (obtained using customized image processing techniques).
Prerequisite knowledge: Principles of in vivo biomedical imaging . A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions; demonstrations.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation, continuous assessment during practical’s and demonstrations.
Literature: reader and handouts of the presentations.
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This course is offered by the laboratory of Theoretical Neurobiology and Neuroengineering
Coordinator: Michele Giugliano
Lecturers: Michele Giugliano, Erik De Schutter
ECTS: 3
Goal and content
Similar to physics and engineering, modern Neurosciences reached a level of maturity where theoretical analysis and mathematical modelling are standard tools, complementing experimental methods. From molecular investigations, to cellular-, microcircuit-, network-, and system-level understanding of the brain (dys)functions, computational neuroscience aims at bridging the multifaceted features of these levels of organization and at providing an interdisciplinary common language. Identifying unifying concepts and common principles are among the ultimate goals of this discipline. Simulating complex experiments, testing the consequences of hypotheses, and performing manipulations that would be impossible to carry out in real experiments with today methods, further represent one of the most successful contribution of computational neurosciences, towards a quantitative understanding of the concerted working of molecules, cells, networks and systems.
Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA.
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions; demonstrations.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation.
Literature: reader and handouts of the presentations.
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This course is offered by the department of Biomedical sciences, Veterinary sciences and the Antwerp University Hospital
Coordinator: Annemie Van Der Linden
Lecturers: Annemie Van Der Linden, Jean-Pierre Timmermans, Michele Giugliano, Floris Wuyts, Peter Aerts, Jos Rozema, Guy Hans, Dirk De Ridder, Filiep Vanpoucke
ECTS: 6
Goal and content
The course will deal with sensory functions, motor functions, autonomic and regulatory functions, cognitive and behavioural functions, and development and plasticity.
I 'Sensory Functions'
This section reviews the sensory organs and discusses in detail the processing of sensory signals at higher (subcortical and cortical) stages. Other topics include the synaptic organization of the thalamus, visual attention, cochlear implants, and lateral inhibition.
II 'Motor Functions'
This section deals with principles of bio-mechanics, posture control, locomotion, voluntary movement, eye movements, synaptic organization of the spinal cord, the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
III 'Autonomic and Regulatory Functions'
This sections deals with the comparative anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system, the central control of the autonomic nervous system, the nervous control of the cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital and digestive systems, autonomic neuro-effector mechanisms, interactions with the endocrine system, disorders of the autonomic nervous system, and the synaptic organization of the hypothalamus and brainstem.
IV 'Cognitive and Behavioural Functions'
This section offers a review of the functional and synaptic organization of the neocortex and the limbic system, an introduction to brain imaging and cognitive neuroscience, and the principles of network dynamics and mechanisms involved in the generation of brain rhythms and epilepsy.
V ‘Development and Plasticity’
This section reviews the basic events during neuro-embryology, and deals with self-organization and the formation of topographic maps, and plasticity in the songbird model.
Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA. A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation.
Literature: reader and textbook: Squire LR, Roberts JL, Spitzer NC, Zigmond MJ, McConnell SK and Bloom FE (Eds.) Fundamental Neuroscience, 3rd ed., Academic Press, 2007, ISBN 0123740193,
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This course is offered by the Institute Born Bunge
Coordinator: Peter De Deyn
Lecturers: Peter De Deyn, Debby Van Dam
ECTS: 6
Goal and content
The course will deal with the methodological aspects of behavioral analysis, several forms of normal and pathological forms of behavior
The first part of the course encompasses methodological aspects of behavioural analysis, e.g.
- Testing and observation of motor activity
- Neurochemical correlates of behaviour: in vivo microdialysis
- Neuroanatomical localisation of behavioural functions
- Functional imaging (correlation with behaviour)
- Behavioural alterations: testing (Behave-AD, MFS and NPI) and neurophysiological substrates
Several forms of normal behaviour are dealt with in a second part of the course: e.g.
- Sleep and diurnal rhythms
- Sexual behaviour
- Consciousness in man and animal
- Learning and memory
- Eating & drinking behaviour
- Facial expression & recognition of emotions
- Exploration and novelty seeking
- Cognitive and behavioural function, including language and communication
A third part deals with (potential) pathological forms of behaviour, like e.g. depression, anxiety (a.o. posttraumatic stress disorder), aggression, pain, dementia, epilepsy, hyperkinesia (ADHD) and schizophrenia. The course will also discuss psychopharmacological interventions with neurobiological – neurochemical substrates.
Prerequisite knowledge: Relevant BA. A specific prerequisite for this course is knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Teaching method: general lectures by instructors; feed-back sessions; demonstrations.
Place/time/frequency: weekly classes over a twelve-week period.
Assessment: oral examination after written preparation.
Literature: reader and handouts of the presentations.
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