Introductory description

The new module will primarily combine neuroscience, with anatomy and physiology, though it will also include aspects of immunology, microbiology, cell biology, and genetics. It will bring together knowledge from several pathways into a a single view of the human body as a functioning system. The focus is on human based medical science, and should be largely popular with the student body.

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.

The students will receive lectures on:

Gut-brain axis

1. Anxiety and depression
2. Eating disorders
3. How eating disorders affect the microbiome/nutrition
4. How microbiome/nutrition effects anxiety and depression

Cognition
5) Cognition in dementia
6) Dementia
7) Cardiovascular influences on dementia

Organ systems
8) The liver and the brain:
a. Hepatoencephalopathy
b. ß-amyloid production and Alzheimer’s
9) The pancreas and the brain:
a. Pancreatitis
b. Diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment
10) The immune system and the brain

Sleep
11) Sleep and sleep deprivation
12) Insomnia, and mood disorders

Breathing
13) Respiration during sleep
a. Respiratory control during sleep
b. Sleep apnoea
14) Aseptic inflammation

Neurodegenerative disease
15) Neurodegeneration and cardiorespiratory control

Sleep apnoea
16) Consequences of Sleep apnoea
a. CVD
b. Liver disease
c. Diabetes
d. Metabolic syndrome
e. Dementia
f. Cancer

Supplemental workshop 1 (30%: 2 hours + analytical assignment)
The students will be given information on how to perform critical analysis using tools such as metanalyses and systematic reviews. The session will cover things such as what is a P-value, why are single studies flawed, types of error, appropriate powering of experiments, how to critically assess contrasting findings by dissecting the methodology. It will also include interactive components such as boolean searching, filtering results, unbiased searching, using specialist software. The students will then be given a title for a controversial topic which they will have to perform a critical analysis of the literature and report back in a report with a word limit of ~2000-2500 words.

Supplemental workshop 2 (2 hours)
Clinical presentations, working in groups the students will diagnose patients. The students will be given limited information, each group must ask questions to gain further patient information, which they will require to figure out the underlying condition.

The students will also have an end of module assessment (70%)
1 questions from Gut brain axis, 1 questions from cognition, 1 question from organ systems, 1 question from sleep. Must answer 2 questions

Learning outcomes

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

• A theoretical knowledge of neurobiology
• Consolidation of knowledge from physiology and neuroscience
• Understand current diagnostic techniques
• A comprehensive overview of complex human biology
• A theoretical knowledge of neurobiology
• Written communication skills
• Oral communication skills
• Use of scientific databases
• Ability in critical analysis
• Ability to formulate and test hypotheses
• Team working skills
• Critical analysis

Interdisciplinary

Brings together a holistic overview of how different systems within the human body interact with one another.

Subject specific skills

Reading of contemporary neuroscience, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, immunology, and cell biology. Synthesis of ideas into a cohesive and comprehensive overview of the human body, and applied medical sciences. Completion of a diagnostics workshop.

Transferable skills

Using logic to work through problems in real time
Written communication
Oral communication
Team work
Formulating complex hypotheses
Critical analysis