Gut microbiota in neurodegeneration (2022/2023)

Course code
cod wi: DT000434
Name of lecturer
Elena Zenaro
Coordinator
Elena Zenaro
Number of ECTS credits allocated
0.5
Academic sector
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Language of instruction
Italian
Location
VERONA
Period
Anno accademico 2022/2023 Dottorato di ricerca dal Oct 1, 2022 al Sep 30, 2023.

Lesson timetable

Go to lesson schedule

Learning outcomes

The central nervous system (CNS) is dynamically regulated by the entire body’s physiological and pathological conditions. Recent studies reveal that these conditions often change and involve changes introduced into the gut microbiota, which directly modulate the CNS. This bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and CNS, also known as the gut-brain axis, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington's disease (HD).
During this lesson, the students will learn the bases of this axis and the microbiota-mediated mechanisms that modulate the brain's functioning. Recent articles exploring microbiota intervention in disease models and humans will be used as examples. Finally, we will discuss how studying microbiota may help develop interventions and clinical treatments for these diseases.

Syllabus

The central nervous system (CNS) is dynamically regulated by the physiological and pathological conditions of the entire body. Recent studies reveal that these conditions often change and involve changes introduced into the gut microbiota, which directly modulate the central nervous system. This bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, also known as the gut-brain axis, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), sclerosis lateral amyotrophic disease (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington's disease (HD). During this lesson students will learn the basics of this axis and the microbiota-mediated mechanisms that modulate the functioning of the brain. Recent articles exploring the intervention of the microbiota in disease models and humans will be used as examples. Finally, we will discuss how studying the microbiota can help develop clinical interventions and treatments for these diseases.

Reference books

See the teaching bibliography

Assessment methods and criteria

not expected

Studying

Share