Neurophysiology I

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. explain how inhibitory and excitatory post-synaptic potentials can alter synaptic transmission; 2. list the major receptor classifications and representative receptor agonists; 3. describe the cutaneous and proprioceptive mechanoreceptors and their function; 4. describe formation and reabsorption of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), including the anatomy and function of the choroid plexus; 5. compare and contrast the barrier mechanisms between the blood brain barrier and the blood CSF barrier and the consequences of barrier break down; 6. describe the major areas of the cerebral cortex and their roles in perception and motor coordination. Identify the Brodmann areas for visual, auditory, somatosensory, motor, and speech areas; 7. discuss the pathways for pain/temperature/coarse touch system and its connections to the cerebral cortex; 8. list the neural components of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system and its trigeminal analogs; 9. describe the functions of the medial and lateral motor pathways and trace their origins and terminations within the spinal cord; 10. describe the physiologic-anatomy of the major ascending tracts (anterolateral and dorsal column-medial lemniscus systems) and descending spinal cord tract (cortico-spinal tract, CST), including crossing of midline; 11. list the functions of the following brainstem reflexes: cardiovascular baroreceptor, respiratory stretch receptor, cough reflex, pupillary light reflex, gag reflex, and blink reflex; 12. explain the role of the brain stem reticular formation in pain perception and modulation, level of consciousness, integration of brainstem reflexes, and the location of noradrenergic, serotoninergic, and dopaminergic nuclei; 13. list the physiological functions of the Hypothalamus; 14. list the three functional divisions of the cerebellum, detailing the input and output connections of each; 15. describe how these areas are integrated with the lateral and medial motor pathways; 16. discuss the overall functions of the basal ganglia in the initiation and control of movement; 17. describe how the amygdala interacts with the cerebral cortex to produce cognitive emotional behaviours; 18. describe the three states of human brain activity based on EEG, EOG and EMG recordings; and 19. distinguish the major characteristics of the major seizure disorders: grand mal, Absence seizure (Petite mal), simple partial and complex partial seizures, and status epilepticus.

Functional organisation of CNS. Autonomic neurotransmitters and autonomic effects. Peripheral nervous system. The reflex arc and general properties of reflexes. Receptors and receptor potentials. Cerebrospinal fluid and the blood-brain barrier. The human brain —cerebrum, brain stem, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus and cerebella. The limbic system. Electrophysiology of the cerebral cortex, the electroencephalogram. Alertness and sleep. Postural regulation and postural reflexes. Speech, learning and memory. Conditioned reflexes and spinal cord transection.