The course Neurochemistry involves the detailed study of structure and functions of human brain and nervous system. Syllabus is divided in four units as follows
UNIT I
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Structure and function of the brain. Central Nervous System, Peripheral and Autonomic
Nervous system. Cells of Nervous System – Neurons, Astrocytes, Glial cells,
Oligodendrocytes and Schwan cells.
Chemical composition of brain – utilization and uptake of glucose and amino acids,
Blood – Brain barrier.
NEUROTRANSMISSION
Membrane potentials, Resting potential – Depolarization, repolarization and
hyperpolarization, Action potential. Mechanism of axonal neurotransmission.
Membrane channels – Types of channels, ion gated, voltage gated, chemically gated,
mechanically gated and responsive to intracellular messengers.
UNIT II
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Synthesis, storage, release, uptake, degradation and action of neurotransmitters.
Acetyl choline, GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate, Aspartate, Nitrous oxide, etc.
Neuropeptides.
Synaptic transmission – Cholinergic receptors – Nicotinic and Muscarinic receptors,
Agonists and Antagonists – their mode of action and effects.
Adrenergic receptors, serpentine receptors and intracellular signaling. Fast and slow
receptors.
Exocytosis of neurotransmitter – Role of synapsins, synaptogamins, SNAP, SNARE and
other proteins in docking, exocyotosis and recycling of vesicles.
UNIT III
Mechanism of short term memory and Long Term Potentiation. NMDA and AMPA
glutamate receptors. Retrograde messengers in synaptic transmission.
Role of CAM kinase II, Calcium, protein kinases, cAMP, NO, Calpain and other proteins
in memory and learning process.
Synaptic plasticity
INTERACTION OF DRUGS WITH CNS
Mechanism of action of anesthetics, analgesics, hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants
and toxins on the nervous system. Addiction and drugs of abuse.
DISEASES OF NERVOUS SYSTEM
Molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, Myasthenia
gravis and Multiple sclerosis.
UNIT IV (15)
BIOCHEMISTRY OF VISION AND MUSCLE CONTRACTION:
Rod and cone cells, visual cycle, mechanism and regulation of vision, color vision.
Thick and thin filaments, interaction of actin and myosin muscle contraction, role of
calcium and regulation of muscle contraction.
Smooth muscle contraction and its regulation