Module Catalogue 2024/25

BMS3013 : Disorders of the Human Nervous System

BMS3013 : Disorders of the Human Nervous System

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Christopher Morris
  • Lecturer: Dr Yuki Kikuchi, Dr David Cousins, Professor Andrew Blamire, Professor Andrew Trevelyan, Dr Fiona LeBeau, Miss Hannah Lumley, Dr Michael Keogh, Professor Richard McQuade, Dr Marc Woodbury-Smith, Professor Christopher Price, Dr Bas Olthof, Dr Meher Lad, Dr Lauren Walker, Professor Robert Lightowlers, Dr Rhys Thomas, Dr Kyle Thompson, Professor Evelyne Sernagor, Professor David Steel, Dr Christina Elliott
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 100 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To provide an advanced level of information on:

The cellular anatomy, biochemistry and function of the human central nervous system

The biological and molecular genetic basis of a range of different disorders of the human nervous system, and their clinical manifestations

Both current and novel approaches used to treat disorders of the nervous system and how these disorders are modelled.


To further develop students skills with respect to:

Critical analysis of scientific literature and current developments in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders

Interpersonal interaction and team working

Planning and writing of essays




In Summary:

This module is taught by clinicians and basic scientists from various Institutes within the Faculty of Medical Sciences and from colleagues in the National Health Service. The first part of the module provides a brief overview of the cellular anatomy, biochemistry and function of the human central nervous system, along with the use of neuroimaging methods. This first part provides a framework to help understand the second part – preclinical and clinical lectures together with molecular pathology that will highlight some of the various disorders associated with the nervous system.

Outline Of Syllabus

Essential neuroanatomy and neuroimaging techniques (3 lectures)
Clinical aspects and molecular basis of mood disorders, psychosis and neurodevelopmental disorders (10 lectures)
Clinical and molecular aspects of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders (13 lectures, 1 seminar)

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

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

Mood Disorders, Psychosis and Neurodevelopment

•Describe the symptoms classification and aetiology of mood disorders and schizophrenia.
•Discuss the evidence for, and the limitations of, the monoamine theory of depression and the glutamate/dopamine theories of schizophrenia.
•Describe the treatment approaches to anxiety and how these treatments have developed.
•Describe the mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs, including possible mechanisms underlying their delayed onset of therapeutic action.
•Describe the mechanism of action of drugs used to treat schizophrenia.
•Describe the clinical and cognitive characteristics of intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and related disorders, and their common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities
•To describe the genetic underpinning of neurodevelopmental disorders and appreciate some of the methodological challenges inherent in this research as well as the evidence for pleiotropy.
•Describe progress in development of animal models of ASD and the validity in relation to ASD identified clinically.

Neurodegeneration

•Describe the symptoms and classification of stroke and dementia and discuss their aetiologies.
•Discuss the available treatment strategies for ischaemic stroke, in terms of primary prevention, acute intervention and secondary prevention.
•Describe the basic clinical features associated with movement disorders and their underlying molecular pathogenesis.
•Describe the common characteristics of trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders and the different ways in which they cause human pathology
•Describe the mechanisms underlying the metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein and the production and aggregation of amyloid beta peptide and the relationship to sporadic and autosomal dominant forms of Alzheimer's disease.
•Describe the different forms and causes of epilepsy with treatments that are available clinically.
•Demonstrate an understanding of prion disorders and that not all pathogens need to carry a nucleic acid component.
•Describe the basic clinical features of a demyelinating disease and the underlying molecular pathogenesis.
•Describe the biophysical nature of changes in GABAergic signaling and the implication for health (developmental) and disease (pain and epilepsy)
•Describe the basic clinical features of retinal disease and therapeutic rationales.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to interpret critically and to synthesise complex information relating to biomedical research in the area of disorders of the human nervous system.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture261:0026:00In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture11:001:00Revision seminar x1 - in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching21:002:00In person Introductory lecture and Assessment session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching14:004:00In person - Seminar. Paper critical appraisal. Individual and group preparation
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1167:00167:00Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and lecture materials will provide students with key information.

Seminars will encourage increased understanding of the material through discussion.

Private study will allow students to extend their knowledge through reading of journal articles and other recommended references.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A70Invigilated exam 2 out of 4 essays
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M30Extended Essay - 2000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The open book essay will test students’ knowledge, understanding and written communication skills.

Essay will test ability to review scientific literature.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Christmas vacation. Coursework with submissions dates after the Christmas vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.