Neurobiology and Cellular Neurophysiology

This course focuses on the morpho-functional study of cells in the nervous system (neurons, glial cells), mainly by describing the mechanisms involved in neuronal excitability (generation and propagation of action potentials) and neurotransmission (mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and synthesis, and the structure and function of neurotransmitter receptors). The concepts of synaptic plasticity are also developed.

-Knowledge :

At cellular level: generation and propagation of the electrical message, notion of resting potential, properties of ion channels, action potential. Knowledge of the function of different types of glial cells.

               At tissue level: cellular communication (astrocyte-neuron / neuron-neuron), neurotransmission mechanisms (neurotransmitter release, receptor types and their effects), synaptic plasticity mechanisms.

-Know-how :

            Deduce the biophysical properties (conductance, ion selectivity) of ion channels involved in neuronal activity by constructing and analyzing current-voltage relationships.

            Understand the interest, how and when to implement 'voltage-' and 'current-imposed' recordings of cellular electrical activity in the study of neurophysiological phenomena.

-People skills :

            Acquire the necessary perspective to situate Neurophysiology and Cellular Neurobiology in the Neurosciences, and appreciate their importance in advances in this field.

            Acquire a general knowledge of neurophysiology so as to be able to deal in the future with fairly integrated phenomena such as motricity and sensoriality.