This course will cover the following topics in neurochemistry: (a) Cell membranes: lipids and proteins of myelin; molecular components of axons and dendrites; pre and post-synaptic membranes; synaptic vesicles and other intracellular membranes; (b) Cytoskeleton of neurons and glia; (c) Energy metabolism of brain: positron emission tomography and use in disease detection; (d) Biochemistry of neurological diseases: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Prion diseases.
After an introduction to Neuropharmacology, the following neurotransmitter systems will be discussed; (1) Acetylcholine; (2) Catecholamines; (3) Serotonin; (4) Glutamate and GABA; (5) Opioids. For each of the above neurotransmitter systems the following aspects will be discussed: Packaging; Release; Breakdown/uptake; Effect on receptor and major downstream events (LGICs, GPCRs); Pharmacology of the receptors (synthetic ligands- agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, functionally selective agonists); Pathologies and pharmacotherapies. (Select disorders and pharmacotherapeutic approaches used to treat these disorders).
Prerequisite: Students are strongly recommended to have completed an undergraduate course in biochemistry and Fundamentals of Neuroscience.
Faculty contacts: Dr. Eldo Kuzhikandathil (kuzhikev@bhi.rutgers.edu) and Dr. Robert Ledeen (ledeenro@njms.rutgers.edu)
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