096053 – BIOENGINEERING OF NEUROSENSORY SYSTEMS – 5 CFU – BARBIERI RICCARDO

This course examines the human neurosensory systems, focusing on physiological and anatomical studies of the mammalian nervous system as well as behavioral studies in animals and humans. The material is expected to provide a concise, solid platform of knowledge on how the human neural system works, and to give the student biomedical engineer the basic tools to begin the journey of discovery and learning into the field of Computational Neuroscience. The course will also provide benchmark knowledge on state-of-the art technology aimed at replacing specific sensory mechanisms and at diagnosing pathologies related to their functions.

INDEX OF LECTURES:

General structure and functional anatomy of the neurosensory systems. Functional investigation methods. Introduction to psychophysics. – AUDITORY SYSTEM: Sound and speech. External and the middle ear. Cochlea, basilar membrane, and ciliate cells. The spiral ganglion and the VIII nerve. Brain stem nuclei, middle geniculate, and auditory cortex. Auditory psychophysics and audiology. Evoked potentials and otoacoustic emissions. External prostheses, implantable devices and cochlear implants. Speech processing: brief remarks – VISUAL SYSTEM: Remarks on optics. Structure and function of the retina. Chiasm and lateral geniculate body. Structure and feature extraction in the primary and secondary visual cortex. Dorsal and ventral integration areas. Visual psychophysics. Color perception and coding. Visual illusions. Ophthalmological instrumentation. Aids for visual impairment. – OTHER SYSTEMS: brief remarks on the somatosensory, olfactory, and gustatory systems.

The course is divided in two parts:

• PART 1 presents the basic physiology of the ear, as well as transduction, transmission and neural processing of the auditory stimulus. Basic concepts on advanced signal processing techniques towards the realization of diagnostic devices and auditory aids are also introduced.
• PART 2 presents the basic physiology of the eye, as well as transduction, transmission and neural processing of the visual stimulus. Basic concept related to visual pattern, color and depth perception, and spatial localization are also introduced. Basic concepts on advanced signal processing techniques towards the realization of diagnostic devices and visual aids are also introduced. Finally, a brief overview of the somatosensory, olfactory, and gustatory systems is provided.

Each student is expected to pass two written tests, focused on both open and multiple choice questions related to PART 1 and PART 2 respectively. The exam can be finalized only if BOTH written exams are passed, and the final grade will be the average of the two grades. A further Oral Exam is OPTIONAL and, if taken, it will contribute to 30% of the final grade