Brain Metabolism Studied by 13C Nuclear Magnet Resonance Spectroscopy and Other Methods

The course will give a general introduction to brain metabolism with focus on interactions between neurons and astrocytes. These interactions are studied in cell cultures and animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In-debth knowledge of NMR theory is not required, since the course emphasizes practical use in neuroscience.Theories and results of other related methods are introduced.

After completing the course, the student should be able to interpret 13C NMR spectra, GC-MS and HPLC results. Furthermore, the student should understand mitochondrial energy metabolism, the synthesis and degradation of amino acid neurotransmitters, the astrocyte – neuronal metabolic interaction for synthesis of glutamate and GABA.

33 hours.