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LF267-15 Neurobiology of Disease

Department
Life Sciences
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Bruno Frenguelli
Credit value
15
Module duration
5 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module will cover the neuropathology, anatomy and pathophysiology of diseases involving the nervous system. It will provide insight into both the structure and function of the brain, upper motor neurones, lower motor neurones, the neuromuscular junction and the peripheral sensory nervous system. The aim of the module is to introduce the students to how physiological processes can be disrupted and the clinical consequences these disruptions cause.

Module aims

LO1 Demonstrate understanding of anatomy of the nervous system
LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the brain
LO3 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of upper motor neurones
LO4 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of lower motor neurones
LO5 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the neuromuscular junction
LO6 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of skeletal muscle
LO7 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the sensory nervous system

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1 Anatomy to the nervous system (i)

Basic review of the anatomy of the brain, spinal cord.

  1. Anatomy to the nervous system (ii)

Basic review of the anatomy of the neuromuscular junction and muscle

  1. Pathophysiology of the brain (i)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of frontal temporal lobe dementia

  1. Pathophysiology of the brain (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of tauopathies

  1. Pathophysiology of motor neurones (i)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

  1. Pathophysiology of motor neurones (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA)

  1. Pathophysiology of motor neurones (iii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of myasthenia gravis (MG)
8. Pathophysiology of motor neurones (iv)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of multiple sclerosis (MS)

  1. Pathophysiology of the skeletal muscle (i)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD)

  1. Pathophysiology of the skeletal muscle (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)

  1. Pathophysiology of the skeletal muscle (iii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of emery dreyfus muscular dystrophy (EDMD)

  1. Pathophysiology of the cardiac muscle (i)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of primary AL Amyloidosis

  1. Pathophysiology of the cardiac muscle (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN)

  1. Pathophysiology of the cardiac muscle (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN)

  1. Pathophysiology of the sensory neurones (i)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of sensory neuropathy (SN)

  1. Pathophysiology of the sensory neurones (ii)

Disease framework (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, cause, prognosis and potential treatment) of sensory neuron disease (SND)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Level 5 understanding of the anatomy of the nervous system
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the brain
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of upper motor neurones
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of lower motor neurones
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the neuromuscular junction
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of skeletal muscle
  • Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the sensory nervous system
Indicative reading list

Bear, Connors and Paradiso, Neuroscience – Exploring the Brain, 3rd edn. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkin, 2007).

Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell and Hudspeth, Principles of Neural Science, 5th edn. (McGraw-Hill, 2012).

Subject specific skills

LO1 Demonstrate understanding of anatomy of the nervous system
LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the brain
LO3 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of upper motor neurones
LO4 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of lower motor neurones
LO5 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the neuromuscular junction
LO6 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of skeletal muscle
LO7 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the sensory nervous system

Transferable skills

Adult learning
Self directed learning
Quantitative skills and data handling skills

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 15 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Practical classes 3 sessions of 6 hours (8%)
Private study 117 hours (52%)
Assessment 75 hours (33%)
Total 225 hours
Private study description

Self directed learning and revision

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D
Weighting Study time
In-module laboratory 30% 30 hours

3 x 6hr laboratory sessions- students will submit a report after the third session

End of Year Exam 70% 45 hours

45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper


  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Assessment group R
Weighting Study time
In-person Examination - Resit 100%

45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper


  • Answerbook Green (8 page)
Feedback on assessment

Person tutor in 1-2-1 tutorial

Past exam papers for LF267

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of ULFA-B140 Undergraduate Neuroscience (BSc)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B142 Undergraduate Neuroscience (MBio)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B143 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Industrial Placement) (MBio)
  • Year 2 of ULFA-B141 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Placement Year) (BSc)