Neurochemistry

- Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the synaptic neurotransmission.
- Knowledge of the molecular bases of the brain physiopathology related to the synaptic neurotransmission.
- Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the intraneuronal signaling.
- Knowledge of the molecular bases of the brain physiopathology related to the intraneuronal signaling.
- Knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms involved in both blood-brain barrier and cerebrospinal fluid.

THEME 1. Introduction to Neurochemistry
Neurochemistry: concept and contents. History of Neurochemistry. Relationship between Neurochemistry and other Neurosciences.
THEME 2. Biochemistry of the brain internal medium
Characteristics of the brain internal medium. Neurochemical relationships between neurons and glial cells. Constitution and biochemical characteristics of the blood brain barrier. Formation and constitution of the cerebrospinal fluid. Functions of the cerebrospinal fluid.
THEME 3. Biochemical fundamentals of the synaptic neurotransmission
General aspects on the morphology of the synapsis. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Phases of the chemical synapsis.
THEME 4. Acetylcholine
Biosynthesis and storage of acetylcholine. Release and inactivation of acetylcholine. Acethylcholine receptors. Biochemistry of disorders related to cholinergic neurotransmission.
THEME 5. Catecholamines
Biosynthesis and storage of catecholamines. Release and inactivation of catecholamines. Receptors of catecholamines. Biochemistry of disorders related to catecholaminergic neurotransmission.
THEME 6. Serotonin
Biosynthesis and storage of serotonin. Release and inactivation of serotonin. Serotonin receptors. Biochemistry of disorders related to serotonergic neurotransmission.
THEME 7. Histamine
Biosynthesis and storage of histamine. Release and inactivation of histamine. Histamine receptors. Biochemistry of disorders related to histaminergic neurotransmission.
THEME 8. Glutamate and aspartate
Biosynthesis and storage of glutamate and aspartate. Release and inactivation of glutamate and aspartate. Receptors of glutamate. Biochemistry of disorders related to glutaminergic neurotransmission.
THEME 9. Glycine and GABA
Biosynthesis and storage of both glycine and GABA. Release and inactivation of both glycine and GABA. Receptors of glycine and GABA. Biochemistry of disorders related to both glycine and GABA neurotransmission.
THEME 10. Purinergic system
Biosynthesis and release of purines. Inactivation of purines. Purine receptors. Biochemistry of disorders related to the purinergic neurotransmission.
THEME 11. Neuropeptides
Biosynthesis and storage of neuropeptides. Release and inactivation of neuropeptides. Receptors of neuropeptides. Biochemistry of disorders related to the peptidergic action.

Basic bibliography:
- Brady S, Siegel G, Albers RW, Price D. "Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects". 8th ed. New York: Elsevier; 2012.
- Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM y cols. “Principles of Neuronal Science”. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.
- Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D y cols. “Neurociencia”. Quinta ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2016.

Complementary bibliography:
- Vizi ES. "Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology. Neurotransmitter Systems". 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2009.
- Nestler EJ, Hyman SE, Malenka RC. "Molecular Neuropharmacology". 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2009.

Student will have and develop the following generic competences and abilities:
- fluency and capacity for both verbal and written communication in the co-official languages of our autonomous community and English.
- personal agreement for a tough learning.
- intellectual ability for both analysis and synthesis of information.
- ability to process information coming from different areas of the knowledge.
- ability for both criticism and self-criticism.
- ability to put into practice the theory.
- ability to work alone and as a team.

Expository teaching
Expository teaching is designed to enhance the independent learning of students. In the lectures the teacher will present and explain the most important aspects of each topic, helping students to achieve the objectives of the subject. In this teaching they will be used blackboard, audiovisual media, and virtual resources (USC Virtual Campus), together with other means that the teacher may consider appropriate to facilitate the teaching process.

Interactive teaching
There will be seminars/labs on current topics related to the theoretical contents of the subject. In this teaching they will be used blackboard, audiovisual media, virtual resources (USC Virtual Campus), and laboratories, together with other means that the teacher may consider appropriate to facilitate the teaching process.

Tutorials
This activity will be used for the clarification of doubts related to the theoretical and practical contents of the subject. This activity will make use of video, computers, and other resources that the teacher deems appropriate.

- The student will have to pass a final exam, which score will represent an 80% of the final grade. The final exam will be multiple choice and/or short questions, covering all aspects related to the contents of the subject.

- A continuous assessment representing a 20% of the final grade will be also done. This continuous assessment will be done through regular checks of both student attendance and participation in scheduled activities, including lectures and seminars/labs.

To pass the evaluation the student must obtain:
- a minimum of 4 points (out of a maximum of 8) in the final exam
- a minimum of 5 points (out of a maximum of 10) in the sum of the final exam + the continuous assessment (out of a maximum of 2).

In cases in which the fraudulent performance of exercises and assessment tests is detected, the provisions of the “Regulations for the evaluation of student academic performance and review of grades” will be applied.

4 credits ECTs, assuming 27 hours per credit (contact and non-contact hours), the whole work volume is of 108 hours which will be allocated in the following way:
- theory: 24 contact hours and 36 hours of personal work (total of hours: 60).
- practices: 16 contact hours and 10 hours of personal work (total of hours: 26).
- attendance, preparation, and exposition of seminars: 8 contact hours and 10 hours of personal work (total of hours: 18).
- personalized tutorial classes: 1 hour.
- examination time for theory and practice: 3 hours.

- A daily and personal study of the course material given each day for both concept clarification and self-assessment of its understanding is advised.
- The use of the tutorial classes to solve specific problems is also recommended.