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LF267-15 Neurobiology of Disease

Department
Life Sciences
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Johannes Boltze
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. 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.

  1. Anatomy of the nervous system (i)
    Basic review of the anatomy of the brain.

  2. Anatomy of the nervous system (ii)
    Basic review of the anatomy of the spinal cord and the neuromuscular junction

  3. 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

  4. Pathophysiology of the brain (ii)
    Focus on neurodegeneration: Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of proteinopathies

  5. 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

  6. Pathophysiology of the brain (iv)
    Focus on neuronal communication: Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of epilepsy and seizures

  7. Pathophysiology of the spinal cord
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of traumatic spinal cord injury

  8. 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)

  9. Pathophysiology of motor neurones (ii)
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

  10. Pathophysiology of the white matter
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS)

  11. Communicable nervous system diseases (i)
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of e.g. rabies

  12. Communicable nervous system diseases (ii)
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of prion diseases

  13. Pathophysiology of the sensory systems (i)
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of pain sensation

  14. Pathophysiology of the sensory systems (ii)
    Disease framework (cause, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment) of dyslexia and dyscalculia

  15. 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
In-module laboratory 30% 30 hours

6hr laboratory sessions

Online Examination 70% 45 hours

45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper


  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Assessment group R1
Weighting Study time
In-person Examination - Resit 100%

45 min SAQ paper / 45 min essay paper


  • Answerbook Green (8 page)
Feedback on assessment

Indivudual written feedback

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)