Università Roma Tre

The Neuroscience Laboratory aims to provide students with a basic understanding of some of the experimental paradigms and study methods commonly used in the Neuroscience field.
In particular, in the first module we will provide information on the most commonly used preclinical techniques to study the neurobiological substrates of behavior, in normal or pathological conditions. Examples of experimental approaches used to identify and validate new therapeutic targets for the treatment of psychiatric diseases will also be provided.
The second module will focus on neuromorphological approach to the study of different in vivo and in vitro models of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Major methodologies to prepare neuroanatomical and neuronal culture samples for light, confocal and electron microscopy will be discussed and applied. This lab experience will include observation and quantitative evaluation of samples treated by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent techniques.

Introduction to animal models as a tool for the study of neuropsychiatric diseases
a. Importance of animal models in neuropsychiatric research; focus on the phenomenon of anti-animal experimentation associations
b. From the preclinical to the clinical field
c. Rodents as models (face / construct / predictive validity)
d. Utility of rodents in neuropsychiatric research
e. Ministerial decrees and regulation on animal testing in Italy

The animal facility

Management of colonies / laboratory animals.
a. Animal welfare
b. Mating techniques (rats vs mice)
c. Explanation of the rodent's estrous cycle.
d. Gestation
e. Litter birth and management (rats vs mice)
f. Sex determination
g. Practical part: observation of slices

Techniques for drug administration in rodents
a. Systemic (ip / subcutaneous / etc etc)
b. Oral
c. Intracranial (surgery technique) + focus on morphology and brain areas.

Study of anxiety in laboratory animals (behavioral test explanation + video + test on the recognition of the parameters to be analyzed).
Study of the brain reward system in in laboratory animals (explanation of behavioral tests + video + test on the recognition of the parameters to be analyzed)

Study of cognitive function in in laboratory animals (explanation of behavioral tests + video + test on the recognition of the parameters to be analyzed)
Study of sociality in in laboratory animals (communication and sociality) (explanation of behavioral tests + video + test on the recognition of the parameters to be analyzed + recording of vocalizations)

 Preclinical models of psychiatric diseases: example 1 (Autism), example 2 (schizophrenia), example 3 (drug addiction)

Lesson slides and scientific articles