WELLNESS AND ANTIAGING MEDICINE: THE ROLE OF DIAGNOSTICS LABORATORY

1 - Knowledge and Understanding-The student shall demonstrate knowledge of topics related to the different fields of conventional and complementary medicine, with the aim of preserving individual health and promoting the maintenance of a genuine state of well-being. The student shall also develop an understanding of the principles of Anti-Aging Medicine, an approach aimed at reducing or preventing the risk of age-related disorders and supporting the development of personalized strategies for the prevention and management of aging.

2 - Applying Knowledge and Understanding-The student shall be able to apply the acquired competencies to identify the functional networks involved in cellular responses to different types of stress, with particular attention to the optimization of the neurobiological processes underlying resilience and neuroprotection.

3 - Making Judgements-The student shall be able to analyse the role of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, in modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, and evaluate their effectiveness in maintaining health and promoting long-term well-being.

4 - Communication Skills-The student shall be able to communicate clearly and effectively using technical and scientific language appropriate to the fields of conventional and complementary medicine, adapting communication to different professional contexts.

5 - Learning Skills-The student shall demonstrate the ability to independently acquire and critically re-elaborate disciplinary knowledge and to maintain continuous professional updating in relation to developments in the field, in order to evaluate indicators of alterations underlying some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. These competencies are essential for the prevention of disorders associated with the aging process and for promoting a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being.

The course is delivered through lectures.

To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current legislation, students requiring specific support may request an individual meeting in order to arrange any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, according to the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) of the Department hosting the Degree Programme (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Should the course be delivered in a blended-learning or distance-learning format, any necessary modifications may be introduced with respect to the arrangements described above, in order to ensure compliance with the programme outlined in the syllabus.

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             Knowledge of general concepts of physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, and statistics.

             Mandatory attendance as required by the course regulations.

1) Handbook of the Biology of Aging. 9th Edition. N. Musi, P. J. Hornsby, Science Direct, Elsevier.

2) Aging and Aging-Related Diseases. Mechanisms and Interventions. Z. Wang Editor. Springer.

3) Aging Exploring Complex Phenomenon. S. I. Ahmad. CRC Press.

4) Inflammation, Aging, and Oxidative Stress. S.C. Bondy, A. Campbell Editors. Humana Press.

Assessment of learning may be carried out, at the discretion of the instructor, through an oral examination and/or a written examination, or a combination of both. The examination consists of at least three questions covering the topics included in the course syllabus.

The examination is intended to assess the understanding of the fundamental concepts of the discipline, verify knowledge of the topics covered during the course, and evaluate the competencies acquired by the student. In the overall assessment, the instructor will take into account both the appropriateness and completeness of the content and the coherence and clarity of presentation.

Assessment criteria: relevance of the answers to the questions asked; appropriate use of scientific terminology; critical analysis skills; specific knowledge of the methodologies presented; and the student’s overall communication skills.

Final Grading Criteria

Grade 29–30 cum laude: the student demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations of Anti-Aging Medicine and innovative technologies for the characterization of functional networks involved in cellular responses to different types of stress, the optimization of neurobiological processes underlying resilience and neuroprotection, and the evaluation of biochemical profiles for the development and characterization of personalized anti-aging programs. The student is able to integrate information promptly and accurately, critically analyse the situations presented, independently solve highly complex diagnostic problems, and demonstrates excellent communication skills and full command of the medical-scientific language of the discipline.

Grade 26–28: the student demonstrates a good knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations of Anti-Aging Medicine and innovative technologies for the characterization of functional networks involved in cellular responses to different types of stress, the optimization of neurobiological processes underlying resilience and neuroprotection, and the evaluation of biochemical profiles for the development and characterization of personalized anti-aging programs. The student is able to integrate and critically analyse the situations presented in a coherent and logical manner, solve complex diagnostic problems with a satisfactory degree of autonomy, and present the topics clearly using appropriate medical-scientific terminology.

Grade 22–25: the student demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations of Anti-Aging Medicine and innovative technologies for the characterization of functional networks involved in cellular responses to different types of stress, the optimization of neurobiological processes underlying resilience and neuroprotection, and the evaluation of biochemical profiles for the development and characterization of personalized anti-aging programs, although mainly limited to the principal topics. The student is able to integrate and critically analyse the situations presented, though not always in a fully coherent manner, and presents the topics with reasonable clarity and adequate language skills.

                -Markers of aging

                -Primary and secondary antioxidants

                -Inflammaging