Course objectives: Comprehension of integrated nervous and endocrine system organization and function on stimuli processing and voluntary and autonomic responds regulation and control.

Course content: Central nervous system (CNS) structure and organization . Function of neurons, synapses and neurotransmitters . Sensory receptors and nerve fibers function, sensitivity and identification. Reflexes (myotatic, inverse myotatic). Functional characteristics of pain perception. Sensory and motor pathways. Cerebral cortex , cell-structure and activity. Sleep, awareness , circadian rythms. Speech centers and brain laterality, memory, learning. Physiological role of extrapyramidal system in postural control and body balance. Basal ganglia , motor hold , muscle tone control and disorders. Brain stem and vestibular function Cerebellum, functional anatomy-histology, tracts, sensorimotor integration and disorders . Functional characteristics of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Hypothalamus and ANS regulation. Hypothalamus and stress control. Limbic system and syndromes. Sensory organs and senses. Eye, structure , optics, retinal function, visual pathways and fields, color vision, adaptation to light, accommodation and disorders. Ear, sound-auditory physical principles , cochlea and Corti organ, central acoustic integration. Speech. Smell. Taste. Introduction to endocrine system physiology. Hormones, biochemistry and mechanisms of action, principles of molecular and cellular endocrinology. Hypothalamic-pituitary system and CNS. Pituitary hormones, functions , regulation of excretion. Thyroid gland metabolic hormones, production, functions, regulation of excretion. Iodine metabolism. Hyperthyroidism,hypothyroidism. Adrenal cortex hormones , mineralocorticoids , glucocorticoids, functions, regulation of excretion. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Glucose homeostasis. Insulin and carbohydrates, fats and proteins metabolism. Insulin ,glucagon and blood glucose regulation. Pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. Calcium homeostasis. Parathormone, vitamin D and calcitonin actions. Osteoporosis. Actions of androgens. Basic metabolism. Leptin in food intake. Estimation of obesity and body constitution. Βody fat distribution.

Teaching methods and outcomes: Lectures addressed to all students and laboratory practices organized for small student groups. Students are also encouraged to work out physiology issues, present their works and practice on simulated physiology exercises. The integrated knowledge on Nervous/Endocrine system physiology ensures the understanding of information embodying and processing mechanisms and human body regulation and control functions.

Hours of training per student: 104

Semester: 4th

ECTS: 7