Comparative Neurobiology (BIO/06)
CFU: 3
Learning outcomes:
Analysis of the structural and functional principles of brain development and evolution
Syllabus
Development and structure of the vertebrate brain. Vertebrate telencephalon evolution. Embryonic and adult corticogenesis. The principles of brain evolution as a paradigm for the study of molecular etiology of neuro-psychiatric pathologies
Course description:
History of comparative neurobiology
Study of vertebrate neurobiology from Aristotle to the present day: experimental approaches and schools of thought.
Development and structure of the vertebrate brain
Analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the central nervous system development. Proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursor cells: parameters that modify the size and composition of the brain.
Signaling centers in the developing neural tube. Regionalization and ontogenesis of adult brain structures.
The brain bauplan in vertebrates: the neuromeric model. Overview of neuroanatomy.
Regulation of gene expression during brain development. Genes and genomic regions specific to Homo sapiens and brain development.
Molecular etiology of microcephaly as a paradigm of human cortex development.
Evolutionary changes in the size and structur of the brain.
Methods of study of comparative neurobiology: molecular anatomy of the brain.
Online resources for the study of comparative neurobiology.
The dimensions of the vertebrate brain: absolute and relative dimensions.
Cellular composition of the mammalian brain: how many and which cells compose the vertebrate brain?
Correlation between brain size and neuronal connections.
Functional significance of the change in brain size and structure. Absolute and relative size of the individual brain regions
Definition and evolution of intelligence.
The brain as a complex system.
Evolution of the neocortex in mammals: what makes us human
Differences and homologies of the human brain compared to other species.
Ontogeny and cytoarchitecture of the neocortex. Lamination and girification of the cortex.
A special case: the prefrontal cortex in mammals.
Neuronal regeneration and adult neurogenesis under an evolutionary perspective
Regeneration mechanisms and adult neurogenesis in different species. The evolutionary significance of neuronal regeneration; applications to biomedicine.
Comparative neurobiology as an essential science in the use and choice of experimental systems for the study of neurobiology and neuro-psychiatric pathologies.
Couse attendance:
Non obbligatoria ma fortemente consigliata
Not mandatory but strongly adviced
Assessments:
In itinere verification with a group discussion of specific articles provided during the course.
Oral exam at the end of the course
Official language:
English
Course prerequisites:
Comparative anatomy
Cellular and molecular biology
Developmental biology
Suggested books
Principles of Brain Evolution, G.F. Striedter, Sinauer 2005
Building Brains, Price et al., Wiley 2017
Original papers indicated during the course
Teacher info:
Nome: Ugo Borello
Dipartimento di Biologia
Telefono:050-2211492
E-mail: ugo.borello@unipi.it
Pagina web: https://people.unipi.it/ugo_borello/
Orario di ricevimento: previo appuntamento.
Luogo di ricevimento: Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, S.S. 12 Abetone e Brennero, 4, Pisa. I-56127