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

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