SENSORINEURAL PLASTICITY
The mammalian nervous system is generated by complex genetic and epigenetic programmes that warrant the structure to be defined already at birth. This structure allows appropriate behavioural responses in order to guarantee survival and development. However, sensitive, motor, sensoriale and cognitive stimuli, through the interaction with the environment, play a role for defining the neural "circuits" after birth. These changes occur, according to what is known from decades, at synaptic level and imply a modification of the "strength" of the synaptic connection itself as a response to an internal/external trigger. These modifications are generically called plasticity, and include biochemical and structural modifications, and neurogenesis.
Genetic, pharmacological and environmental factors may modulate this plasticity, through continuous updated cultural advances. The knowledge and the eventual exploitation of these mechanisms represent a clinical opportunity in the field of pharmacology, genetics, and motor and cognitive rehabilitation. A key point is represented by the recently-acquired concept that plasticity regards the entire individual lifespan, mainly during childhood but also up to some aspect of elderly. Environmental stimuli reach the cerebral structures via the sensory organs, that thus represent an ineludible tool to mediate sensations, perceptions, memory, speech, the cognitive and affective experiences that are expression of the brain function and, at the same time, nourish plasticity.
It is the aim of the present PhD to study this phenomenon in depth in its different manifestations that are displayed in the neurological and psychiatric clinical practice, as well as in the various district of the Sensory Organs.
The major and funding element of the present PhD programme will be based on interaction and integration of knowledges and expertise in the above mentioned disciplines, with a research project individualised for each PhD student in the selected field of application, on the ground of the most relevant aspect as they are derived from the international scientific literature, and on the evaluation of the feasibility of the study, considering timing and the clinical and research resources available.
This training project further provides the opportunity that each PhD student could interact with national and international research institutions that will enable to acquire new theoretical, methodological and operational hints for each disciplinary core.
The present PhD Programme includes different research cores: as reported below.
Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Neuropsychiatric rehabilitation includes the interdisciplinary study of the neurobiological, mental (cognition, conscience, memory, thought, learning) and psychical (affectiveness, empathy) processes that underlye the main brain functions and their behavioural sequels.
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