LF267-15 Neurobiology of Disease
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. The module will provide pre-requisite knowledge that will aid student learning in Y3 modules on the Neuroscience degree programme, for example BS374 (Modern approaches to human disease) and BS362 (Integrative Neuroscience).
Module aims
LO1 Demonstrate understanding of anatomy of the nervous system; LO2 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the brain, including motor neurons; LO3 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the neurovascular unit; LO4 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the white matter; LO5 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of communicable CNS diseases; LO6 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the sensory nervous system; LO7 Demonstrate understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders
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.
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Anatomy of the nervous system (i)
Basic review of the anatomy of the brain. -
Anatomy of the nervous system (ii)
Basic review of the anatomy of the spinal cord and the neuromuscular junction -
Pathophysiology of the brain (i)
Focus on blood supply and metabolic restrictions: Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of cerebral vascular dysfunctions -
Pathophysiology of the brain (ii)
Focus on neurodegeneration: Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of proteinopathies -
Pathophysiology of the brain (iii)
Focus on cellular degeneration: discussion of cell death mechanisms e.g. necrosis, apoptosis, parthanathos or autophagy and their role in nervous system disorders -
Pathophysiology of the brain (iv)
Focus on neuronal communication: Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of epilepsy and seizures -
Pathophysiology of the spinal cord
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of traumatic spinal cord injury -
Pathophysiology of motor neurones (i)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and
myasthenia gravis (MG) -
Pathophysiology of motor neurones (ii)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -
Pathophysiology of the white matter
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) -
Communicable nervous system diseases (i)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. rabies -
Communicable nervous system diseases (ii)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of prion diseases -
Pathophysiology of the sensory systems (i)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of pain sensation -
Pathophysiology of the sensory systems (ii)
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of dyslexia and dyscalculia -
Pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental conditions
Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. Down syndrome and autism spectrum conditions
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, including motor neurones
- Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the vascular unit
- Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the white matter
- Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of communicable CNS diseases
- Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders
- Level 5 understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the sensory nervous system
Indicative reading list
Purves et al, Neuroscience 6th Edn. (Sinauer/Oxford UP, 2019)
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 (10%) |
Practical classes | 3 sessions of 6 hours (12%) |
Private study | 117 hours (78%) |
Total | 150 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 D1
Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
---|---|---|---|
In-module laboratory | 30% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
6hr laboratory sessions |
|||
Online Examination | 70% | 45 hours | No |
45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper
|
Assessment group R1
Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
---|---|---|---|
In-person Examination - Resit | 100% | No | |
45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper
|
Feedback on assessment
Indivudual written feedback
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)