Entry requirements

180 credits from candidate programmes in biomedicine, pharmacy, biology or similar that provides relevant knowledge of cell and molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology and neurobiology. Knowledge and experience of laboratory work. Proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to:

- describe and analyse the importance of basic neurophysiology and neuronal network activity for brain function and normal neuronal development and when disturbed, what problems may arise and why.

- analyse, compare and contrast what strategies are available and suitable to detect, stop, delay or promote recovery of certain diseases of CNS origin such as pain, TBI, epilepsy, stress, declined cognition, tumour and some mental disorders, as well as those where the enteric nervous system is involved as in diabetes.

- apply modern technologies for the study of neurons and glia e.g. those originating from stem cells and to account for how stem cell therapy may help but also hinder recovery from a disease.

- analyse the development of CNS diseases in the community from a health perspective, as well as describe the pathogenesis and disease panorama for major diseases such as pain, epilepsy, TBI and some mental diseases.

- search for and assort relevant literature for the course, as well as be able to critically interpret and assess this literature.

Content

The course describes the biology and function of the brain and covers areas ranging from molecules to the behaviour of the individual in health and disease. The student will become knowledgeable in basal and clinical neurobiology with focus on diseases of the brain. The course is divided into seven themes: Neuronal plasticity, spinal cord as the model for neuronal networks, regeneration/degeneration and movement, the brain-gut axis, sensory systems, traumatic brain injury, mental illness and tumours. The course covers studies of molecules, proteins and cells that control the basic physiology of the nervous systems. The student will be taken on a journey from the genes to the ever more complex organisation of the nervous system to cognition, behaviour and sometimes disease. The student will learn how the system responds to a new experience, damage or an overdose and how the nervous system is able to repair and cope with its experiences.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars, journal clubs and laboratory exercises. There will be particular focus on stimulating independent thinking and problem solving abilities.

Assessment

The examination is based on a take-home exam as well as reports from laboratory practicals, a literature review project presented in a written paper and a project seminar. All parts must be approved