Università Roma Tre

Elements of development of the mammalian nervous system. Neuroanatomy and histology of the nervous system: organization of the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system. Neurons: neuronal subtypes and their distribution. Glial cells: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia. Cytoarchitecture of selected areas of the CNS: cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus, substantia nigra, cerebellum and spinal cord. Human neuropathology: neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In vivo and in vitro models for the morphological study of human neuropathologies: transgenic mouse models and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC). Macroscopic observation and manipulation of neuroanatomical murine samples (brain, spinal cord). Preparation of normal and pathological murine brain samples for immunohistochemical analysis, using neuronal and glial markers. Light microscopic observation and characterization of the morphological phenotype of normal and pathological murine brain. Application of morphological techniques (e.g., immunofluorescence) to the study of iPSC and motor neurons derived from them, using markers for the recognition of specific organelles (mitochondria, peroxisomes). Observation and quantitative analysis by confocal microscopy. Preparation of samples of neuropathological models (in vivo and in vitro) for ultrastructural examination and observation by electron microscopy (SEM, FIB/SEM).

Scientific articles, lecture slides and other useful teaching materials will be provided after each lecture/lab session.